Post by S. Austin61 (Goldman74) on Oct 10, 2010 21:41:58 GMT -4
(9)
In another room down the hall seven children sat huddled together. They huddled very close to Brian.
“Brian” Paul began “What’s going on?”
Brian gave a slight shrug, “I don’t know Paul. I really don’t know.”
“Where mom and dad?” ten year old Timothy asked.
Again Brian shrugged. “I’m not sure…but I have a feeling we are about to find out.” The seven children looked at the door that was opening.
“Good afternoon children I’m Dr. Mary Masters. I’m going to talk to all of you by yourselves in just a bit, but I thought I’d explain everything to all of you at once. Why don’t we all sit around this table…would any of you like anything to drink?”
After getting everyone wanted to drink she spoke softly and carefully. “I’m sure you all want to know what’s going on.”
“We sure do.” Brian (who had become the spokesman) spoke up.
“This is very hard Brian.” Dr. Masters continued. “You see, you kids…all of you were kidnapped by Thompson’s…”
“That’s a lie!” Brian shouted.
Mary shook her head “I’m sorry Brian…it’s true. “Now, all of your families are here, they are very anxious to be reunited with you. I’m going to speak with each of you alone…except for the two sets of twins…I’ll talk to you together. “The you will meet with your familes…you will go home with them.”
///////////////////////////////////
Steve and Jaime waited in Oscar’s office. “How much longer do we have to wait?” Steve snorted as he paced from one end of the office to the other.
“They are meeting with Dr. Masters right now.” Jaime reminded. They decided to let her tell the children, they thought it was better that way. She’s going to tell them as a group and then she’ll speak to each on separately. I think each child will be reunited with his/her parents after that.”
Steve nodded. “I guess I’ve waited this long…I can wait a few more minutes.”
“That’s the way to view it.” Jaime smiled.
/////////////////////
Seconds turned into minutes and then minutes turned into a half hour and then an hour…an hour and a half…two hours…
Finally just as Steve was ready wear a hole in the carpet in Oscar’s office Oscar stepped in. “Steve…Jaime I’d like to introduce your son. This is David.”
David stepped into Oscar’s office.
“Hi David” Steve gave him a slight wave. “Did Dr. Masters explain everything to you?”
David gave a slight nod.
“I know you’re scared son.” Steve moved closer to him. “I know I would be.”
Again David nodded. “I have to go home with you.” David barely whispered. “Will I be able to see my brothers and sister?”
“I’ll be very honest with you” Steve sat close to him. “I really don’t know, that’s going to be up to the other parents. You see, they were all kidnapped. They all have other parents.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” David started to cry.
“I’ll talk to some of the other parents.” Steve stood to leave “will you two watch David for just a few minutes?”
“Of course we will.” Oscar smiled.
Steve headed down the hall where the other parents waited behind closed doors to be reunited with their children.
Slowly Steve made contact and got everyone and they all had a quick meeting.
“We’ll do anything for you” all of the parents agreed. “If it weren’t for you…we wouldn’t have our kids back.
In the end everyone agreed that they would get the kids together one weekend a month during the transition period.
It was well after eight that night when everyone finally left the OSI building. They had ordered food in. So after leaving…everyone went to their respective homes.
/////////////////////////
The next morning Steve and Jaime sat in the kitchen talking quietly while David slept upstairs.
“How do you think he slept last night?” Steve asked.
“I didn’t hear him get up.” Jaime noted.
“Well that’s a good sign.” Steve muttered.
“I wonder what he’ll want for breakfast.” Jaime said more to herself.
“We’ll ask him when he wakes up.” Steve smiled. “I got to thinking last night” he continued “I think we’ll have David meet with Dr. Masters a couple of days a week.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Jaime agreed. “I think I hear him getting up. Maybe you better go help him out. This house is strange to him.”
Nodding Steve headed down the hall to David’s room. “You know, you can pick out how ever you want this room to look.” Steve told him. “How would you like it decorated…what do you like?”
“I like space.” David spoke softly.
“Oh really?” Steve smiled. “I have a couple of things to tell you. What would you like for breakfast?”
“I like bacon and eggs.” David stated shyly.
“I think we can arrange that.” Steve led him to the kitchen where Jaime had started frying the bacon…cue to Steve that she had heard their entire conversation.
David was in the middle of his bacon and eggs while Steve was looking for a picture of himself in his astronaut uniform. Jaime sat with David at the table.
Everyone was surprised when the door-bell rang.
Steve walked to the door and opened it. “Yes, can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Cathy Healy. I was the social worker assigned to the Thompson case…I understand that one of the children is here.”
Slowly Steve nodded.
“Very good, I don’t know how he ended up here. I have foster homes ready for those kids. You need to surrender David to me right now.”
//////////////////////////////////
“I don’t think so” Steve objected.
“I’m afraid you have no choice. You see you are not an approved foster family and…
“I’m not his foster parent….”
“Well then if that’s the case.” Cathy glared at Steve.
“I think you need to leave my house.” Steve tried to remain calm.
“Would you say you have a temper Mr. Austin?” Cathy snorted.
“It’s Col. Austin.” Steve stiffened.
“But you said you weren’t his foster parent.
I’m his father….His natural father.” Steve tried to explain. “You see, he was kidnapped from me when he was a baby, some friends of mine who work for the government found him after almost nine years. And he’s been returned to me. So you see, I don’t care who you say you are…you are not taking my son.”
“I’ve been intimidated by your people once too often.” Cathy snapped.
“If you don’t leave this instant, I’ll have you charged with kidnapping.” Steve threatened.
“All I know is that you are preventing from doing my job. I could call the police.”
“You go ahead and call the police.” Steve managed without blowing his top. “In fact I beg you to call the police.”
She pushed passed Steve and into the house. “I’m tired of playing your games I have a job to do…and I’m going to do it. David…David!” She called.
David and Jaime emerged from the kitchen.
“David, you need to come with me. Your brothers and sisters are waiting in the car.”
David gave a quick smile. “You mean they’re all here?”
Cathy nodded. “I’ll say they are and they are anxious to see you.” Cathy smiled.
“Jaime, call Oscar.” Steve pointed to the phone.
Jaime picked up the receiver and dialed Oscar’s number
As Jaime tried to reach Oscar, Cathy started across the living room leading a very confused David toward the front door.
Jaime hung up. “Steve, he’s not there.”
Steve didn’t know what to do. Oscar wasn’t available to intervene and this strange woman was walking out the door with the son who not even twenty four hours before he had been reunited with.
As Cathy stepped out onto the porch Steve got his answer
“Hold it right there!” They heard Oscar call out. Steve and Jaime raced to the door. The house was surrounded by an OSI task force unlike any they had ever seen before.
They watched as Oscar and Russ approached Cathy. “You’re under arrest” Oscar flipped out his OSI ID.
“I’m afraid not.” Cathy shot back at him. “I’m a DCF worker my job is find suitable for homes children.”
“That rule applies for children who need suitable homes.” Russ proclaimed. “As a matter of fact with Steve’s position in the government this is a federal matter. You’re also in violation of a federal court order…in other words you’re in very big trouble.”
“But I…uh….” Cathy stammered.
Oscar gently pulled David from her arms as Russ put handcuffs on Cathy.
“Come on son.” Oscar led him back to where Steve and Jaime stood on the porch.
“I want to see my brothers and sister.” David cried.
“They’re not here.” Oscar knelt down to the boy’s level. (something that surprised Steve and Jaime both) “They’re with their parents. Their parents said they would call your dad later to arrange a meeting.”
He stood and looked at Steve.
“How did you know?” Steve asked as he took David’s hand
“The other parents….they called the FBI…The FBI called me and I got our little reception committee ready.”
They watched as Russ placed Cathy in the back seat and drove off.
“Oscar, why does she think she can do this;” Steve asked as they all headed into the house Steve holding tight to David’s hand.
“I’m not sure, somehow DCF got wind of what happened….”
“I don’t see why they think they need to be involved anyway. Oscar after all this time…am I going to have to prove…are all of us going to have to prove we are fit parents?”
Oscar removed his glasses and gave Steve a serious look. “No, you won’t have to prove that you are suitable parents…but you are all going to have to go to family court and have you children’s names legally changed back to yours…not that legally David is Steven Austin…as far as the so called ‘law’ is concerned he’s David Thompson.”
“I wondered how that would work…how soon can we go to court.”
“The hearing is day after tomorrow.” Oscar told him.
“Well that’s good. I’ll be glad to get this all wrapped up.
“In fact we arranged for everyone to meet with the judge at the same time. That way everyone will get it ‘wrapped up’ at the same time.”
Steve gave a nod. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for us” Steve put his arm around Jaime and held tight to David’s hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow huh Oscar.”
Oscar nodded as he headed down the porch steps. “Yeah pal…I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Steve along with David and Jaime walked into the house. Steve looked down and David “I’m sorry son. I’m sorry she got you all excited to see your brothers and sisters. I tell you what, if you don’t get a chance to see them before court in two days…maybe we can do something that day.”
“I’m sorry” David was crying. “I just want to see them…I miss them.”
“We know you do.” Jaime put her hand on David’s shoulder. She turned to Steve “I think you better call Rudy have him arrange a meeting with Dr. Masters personally I think we could all use it.”
Steve nodded “you might be right.” He went to the phone and dialed Rudy’s number.
“She’ll be there within the next half hour Steve.” Rudy assured.
“Thanks Rudy. David is very upset.” Steve told him.
“I’m sure he is, this has to be very traumatic for him. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.”
“I will.” Steve hung up and turned to Jaime. “She’ll be her soon.”
“Good.” Jaime smiled.
“I thought after David got done with Dr. Masters we could go shopping. David says he likes space, so I thought we could do his room with a space theme.”
“Sounds good to me” Jaime ruffled David’s hair. “I’ll go clean up the kitchen” she turned to Steve. “Why don’t you show him that picture you were going to show him before Miss Healy so rudely interrupted us.”
Steve nodded “oh Yeah, I almost forgot. Come here David I want to show you something.”
“Is that you?” David looked from the picture to Steve
“It sure is.” Steve assured.
“Wow!” David replied.
Several miles away in a café in Arlington two men sat talking they both turned when Cathy walked in. “Where is the boy?” the first man asked.
“I didn’t get him Ivan.” Cathy replied. “They stopped me.”
“Who stopped you?” the second man demanded.
“Goldman…who else?” Cathy sighed.
“We must have him!” The Ivan barked. “He must be in Moscow by the end of the week We must find another way to get a hold of him. He turned to the first man. “Boris, I’m putting you in charge. I want you to follow the Austin family till we can grab the boy!”
“Yes sir.” Boris complied….
In another room down the hall seven children sat huddled together. They huddled very close to Brian.
“Brian” Paul began “What’s going on?”
Brian gave a slight shrug, “I don’t know Paul. I really don’t know.”
“Where mom and dad?” ten year old Timothy asked.
Again Brian shrugged. “I’m not sure…but I have a feeling we are about to find out.” The seven children looked at the door that was opening.
“Good afternoon children I’m Dr. Mary Masters. I’m going to talk to all of you by yourselves in just a bit, but I thought I’d explain everything to all of you at once. Why don’t we all sit around this table…would any of you like anything to drink?”
After getting everyone wanted to drink she spoke softly and carefully. “I’m sure you all want to know what’s going on.”
“We sure do.” Brian (who had become the spokesman) spoke up.
“This is very hard Brian.” Dr. Masters continued. “You see, you kids…all of you were kidnapped by Thompson’s…”
“That’s a lie!” Brian shouted.
Mary shook her head “I’m sorry Brian…it’s true. “Now, all of your families are here, they are very anxious to be reunited with you. I’m going to speak with each of you alone…except for the two sets of twins…I’ll talk to you together. “The you will meet with your familes…you will go home with them.”
///////////////////////////////////
Steve and Jaime waited in Oscar’s office. “How much longer do we have to wait?” Steve snorted as he paced from one end of the office to the other.
“They are meeting with Dr. Masters right now.” Jaime reminded. They decided to let her tell the children, they thought it was better that way. She’s going to tell them as a group and then she’ll speak to each on separately. I think each child will be reunited with his/her parents after that.”
Steve nodded. “I guess I’ve waited this long…I can wait a few more minutes.”
“That’s the way to view it.” Jaime smiled.
/////////////////////
Seconds turned into minutes and then minutes turned into a half hour and then an hour…an hour and a half…two hours…
Finally just as Steve was ready wear a hole in the carpet in Oscar’s office Oscar stepped in. “Steve…Jaime I’d like to introduce your son. This is David.”
David stepped into Oscar’s office.
“Hi David” Steve gave him a slight wave. “Did Dr. Masters explain everything to you?”
David gave a slight nod.
“I know you’re scared son.” Steve moved closer to him. “I know I would be.”
Again David nodded. “I have to go home with you.” David barely whispered. “Will I be able to see my brothers and sister?”
“I’ll be very honest with you” Steve sat close to him. “I really don’t know, that’s going to be up to the other parents. You see, they were all kidnapped. They all have other parents.”
“I’m not sure I understand.” David started to cry.
“I’ll talk to some of the other parents.” Steve stood to leave “will you two watch David for just a few minutes?”
“Of course we will.” Oscar smiled.
Steve headed down the hall where the other parents waited behind closed doors to be reunited with their children.
Slowly Steve made contact and got everyone and they all had a quick meeting.
“We’ll do anything for you” all of the parents agreed. “If it weren’t for you…we wouldn’t have our kids back.
In the end everyone agreed that they would get the kids together one weekend a month during the transition period.
It was well after eight that night when everyone finally left the OSI building. They had ordered food in. So after leaving…everyone went to their respective homes.
/////////////////////////
The next morning Steve and Jaime sat in the kitchen talking quietly while David slept upstairs.
“How do you think he slept last night?” Steve asked.
“I didn’t hear him get up.” Jaime noted.
“Well that’s a good sign.” Steve muttered.
“I wonder what he’ll want for breakfast.” Jaime said more to herself.
“We’ll ask him when he wakes up.” Steve smiled. “I got to thinking last night” he continued “I think we’ll have David meet with Dr. Masters a couple of days a week.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Jaime agreed. “I think I hear him getting up. Maybe you better go help him out. This house is strange to him.”
Nodding Steve headed down the hall to David’s room. “You know, you can pick out how ever you want this room to look.” Steve told him. “How would you like it decorated…what do you like?”
“I like space.” David spoke softly.
“Oh really?” Steve smiled. “I have a couple of things to tell you. What would you like for breakfast?”
“I like bacon and eggs.” David stated shyly.
“I think we can arrange that.” Steve led him to the kitchen where Jaime had started frying the bacon…cue to Steve that she had heard their entire conversation.
David was in the middle of his bacon and eggs while Steve was looking for a picture of himself in his astronaut uniform. Jaime sat with David at the table.
Everyone was surprised when the door-bell rang.
Steve walked to the door and opened it. “Yes, can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Cathy Healy. I was the social worker assigned to the Thompson case…I understand that one of the children is here.”
Slowly Steve nodded.
“Very good, I don’t know how he ended up here. I have foster homes ready for those kids. You need to surrender David to me right now.”
//////////////////////////////////
“I don’t think so” Steve objected.
“I’m afraid you have no choice. You see you are not an approved foster family and…
“I’m not his foster parent….”
“Well then if that’s the case.” Cathy glared at Steve.
“I think you need to leave my house.” Steve tried to remain calm.
“Would you say you have a temper Mr. Austin?” Cathy snorted.
“It’s Col. Austin.” Steve stiffened.
“But you said you weren’t his foster parent.
I’m his father….His natural father.” Steve tried to explain. “You see, he was kidnapped from me when he was a baby, some friends of mine who work for the government found him after almost nine years. And he’s been returned to me. So you see, I don’t care who you say you are…you are not taking my son.”
“I’ve been intimidated by your people once too often.” Cathy snapped.
“If you don’t leave this instant, I’ll have you charged with kidnapping.” Steve threatened.
“All I know is that you are preventing from doing my job. I could call the police.”
“You go ahead and call the police.” Steve managed without blowing his top. “In fact I beg you to call the police.”
She pushed passed Steve and into the house. “I’m tired of playing your games I have a job to do…and I’m going to do it. David…David!” She called.
David and Jaime emerged from the kitchen.
“David, you need to come with me. Your brothers and sisters are waiting in the car.”
David gave a quick smile. “You mean they’re all here?”
Cathy nodded. “I’ll say they are and they are anxious to see you.” Cathy smiled.
“Jaime, call Oscar.” Steve pointed to the phone.
Jaime picked up the receiver and dialed Oscar’s number
As Jaime tried to reach Oscar, Cathy started across the living room leading a very confused David toward the front door.
Jaime hung up. “Steve, he’s not there.”
////////////////////////////
Steve didn’t know what to do. Oscar wasn’t available to intervene and this strange woman was walking out the door with the son who not even twenty four hours before he had been reunited with.
As Cathy stepped out onto the porch Steve got his answer
“Hold it right there!” They heard Oscar call out. Steve and Jaime raced to the door. The house was surrounded by an OSI task force unlike any they had ever seen before.
They watched as Oscar and Russ approached Cathy. “You’re under arrest” Oscar flipped out his OSI ID.
“I’m afraid not.” Cathy shot back at him. “I’m a DCF worker my job is find suitable for homes children.”
“That rule applies for children who need suitable homes.” Russ proclaimed. “As a matter of fact with Steve’s position in the government this is a federal matter. You’re also in violation of a federal court order…in other words you’re in very big trouble.”
“But I…uh….” Cathy stammered.
Oscar gently pulled David from her arms as Russ put handcuffs on Cathy.
“Come on son.” Oscar led him back to where Steve and Jaime stood on the porch.
“I want to see my brothers and sister.” David cried.
“They’re not here.” Oscar knelt down to the boy’s level. (something that surprised Steve and Jaime both) “They’re with their parents. Their parents said they would call your dad later to arrange a meeting.”
He stood and looked at Steve.
“How did you know?” Steve asked as he took David’s hand
“The other parents….they called the FBI…The FBI called me and I got our little reception committee ready.”
They watched as Russ placed Cathy in the back seat and drove off.
“Oscar, why does she think she can do this;” Steve asked as they all headed into the house Steve holding tight to David’s hand.
“I’m not sure, somehow DCF got wind of what happened….”
“I don’t see why they think they need to be involved anyway. Oscar after all this time…am I going to have to prove…are all of us going to have to prove we are fit parents?”
///////////////////////////////
Oscar removed his glasses and gave Steve a serious look. “No, you won’t have to prove that you are suitable parents…but you are all going to have to go to family court and have you children’s names legally changed back to yours…not that legally David is Steven Austin…as far as the so called ‘law’ is concerned he’s David Thompson.”
“I wondered how that would work…how soon can we go to court.”
“The hearing is day after tomorrow.” Oscar told him.
“Well that’s good. I’ll be glad to get this all wrapped up.
“In fact we arranged for everyone to meet with the judge at the same time. That way everyone will get it ‘wrapped up’ at the same time.”
Steve gave a nod. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for us” Steve put his arm around Jaime and held tight to David’s hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow huh Oscar.”
Oscar nodded as he headed down the porch steps. “Yeah pal…I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Steve along with David and Jaime walked into the house. Steve looked down and David “I’m sorry son. I’m sorry she got you all excited to see your brothers and sisters. I tell you what, if you don’t get a chance to see them before court in two days…maybe we can do something that day.”
“I’m sorry” David was crying. “I just want to see them…I miss them.”
“We know you do.” Jaime put her hand on David’s shoulder. She turned to Steve “I think you better call Rudy have him arrange a meeting with Dr. Masters personally I think we could all use it.”
Steve nodded “you might be right.” He went to the phone and dialed Rudy’s number.
“She’ll be there within the next half hour Steve.” Rudy assured.
“Thanks Rudy. David is very upset.” Steve told him.
“I’m sure he is, this has to be very traumatic for him. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.”
“I will.” Steve hung up and turned to Jaime. “She’ll be her soon.”
“Good.” Jaime smiled.
“I thought after David got done with Dr. Masters we could go shopping. David says he likes space, so I thought we could do his room with a space theme.”
“Sounds good to me” Jaime ruffled David’s hair. “I’ll go clean up the kitchen” she turned to Steve. “Why don’t you show him that picture you were going to show him before Miss Healy so rudely interrupted us.”
Steve nodded “oh Yeah, I almost forgot. Come here David I want to show you something.”
“Is that you?” David looked from the picture to Steve
“It sure is.” Steve assured.
“Wow!” David replied.
/////////////////////////
Several miles away in a café in Arlington two men sat talking they both turned when Cathy walked in. “Where is the boy?” the first man asked.
“I didn’t get him Ivan.” Cathy replied. “They stopped me.”
“Who stopped you?” the second man demanded.
“Goldman…who else?” Cathy sighed.
“We must have him!” The Ivan barked. “He must be in Moscow by the end of the week We must find another way to get a hold of him. He turned to the first man. “Boris, I’m putting you in charge. I want you to follow the Austin family till we can grab the boy!”
“Yes sir.” Boris complied….
