A/N: Here's the special Friday update! Thank Fhanth for nagging, and hopefully no one will hate me once they've read it.

CH 12

Gareth was completely exhausted and shaken. An after school meeting had gone completely differently than he had expected. Francine, a caseworker from F and CS (the F'ing CS, as it was generally referred to, was in fact, Family and Children's Services), wanted to stop by for a chat, so Gareth was concerned that one of his students might be in a dangerous situation. Often these meetings were due to some sort of horrible thing that one of his students was experiencing, and it always pulled on Gareth's heart something fierce.

Sadly, Gareth was completely mistaken.

"Gareth, I'm afraid I'm here kind of as a heads up. It's not an official visit and I could lose my job if it got around." She put her finger across her lips to emphasize the secrecy. He and Francine went back rather far, meeting in his first year teaching when he'd had a student with suspicious bruises. Any time they'd had to work together on difficult situations he'd meshed well with the jovial but kind woman, so Gareth was obviously worried.

"Why? What's wrong, Francine?"

She seemed to be struggling for the right words, tactful words, and he could see the regret in her eyes that she had to deliver the news. "We've had a report that has to be investigated. All reports do, no matter how trivial or seemingly unfounded."

Gareth tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Her hesitation was making him exceedingly anxious, usually she was very forthcoming. "Yes?"

"Someone has made a report of misconduct between you and your children." Gareth's brows furrowed with shock and confusion, so Francine clarified, "Your own children, not your students. Abuse of a physical nature, unsatisfactory living conditions, and a few other complaints around inappropriate touching."

Gareth could feel his heart plummet and the bile rise in his throat. He was dizzy with sick. This kind of accusation, no matter how false, could destroy his career and ruin his chances at retaining custody of his children. Especially Daisy, since he wasn't biologically her parent. This could destroy his entire life. He'd have nothing.

Francine noted Gareth's stricken face and continued, "You must understand, I think the complaints are completely false. That's why I'm here. I'm concerned for you, as a friend." She reached across and tried to rub Gareth's shoulder comfortingly, her bangle bracelets softly tinkling together in contrast to his shattered soul.

"I don't know what to say." Gareth's knuckles were white as he gripped the desk for support. He swallowed heavily, trying desperately to keep his lunch where it belonged.

"I know complaints are made anonymously but this one was from a very belligerent female who we believe was intoxicated. She made very vulgar comments and accusations." Francine took a breath, then suggested knowingly, "Have you had any relationship troubles recently?" She was somewhat aware that things with Leeann weren't ideal.

"Leeann..." Realization dawned on Gareth's face and pricks of anger flared through him; he explained the entire situation to Francine while trying to hold it together.

"Tomorrow Pete has to come to do an interview with you, then inspect where you're living and meet with your children and landlord, since it's a shared accommodation." Francine laid out the plan of action. "If he finds anything out of the ordinary, a bigger investigation must be undertaken and you will have to be put on leave from your job."

"But Leeann's the one who was abusive. I have proof!" Gareth pulled out his phone and scrolled through the pictures of his bruises, and Gabe's (from the table incident), for Francine to see. "You can ask Abby, she knows. And most of these pictures directly correspond to the sick days I've taken." He ran his hand through his hair, but fought to keep from pulling it out.

Francine shook her head in disgust at the photos. "Look, after talking with her on the phone, I was sure the report was false. After viewing these pictures, I know it was. But because we've worked together, I'm not impartial and I can't be responsible for your case. I had to recuse myself, but Pete is decent and fair, so you should be fine. Just make sure everything is kosher at home, okay?"

Gareth shook her hand, which became a hug and thanked her for the heads up, all while trying to keep it together. He needed to. He still had to drive home and deal with the kids (that he was supposedly abusing) for the whole rest of the day.

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It was a rough evening. Phillip was completely exhausted from a long day of digging and planting, but didn't get to have much quiet when he got home. Gabe got into a small fight at school due to someone calling him stupid, so he was in a bad mood and had a misconduct note that Gareth needed to sign. The girls squabbled over something that was completely inconsequential in Phillip's mind, and for whatever reason, Gareth was completely off. He snapped at the kids one minute and looked like he was going to break down the next. Phillip wanted to retreat to his potting shed for some much needed peace, but there wasn't really the opportunity. For some reason, he could feel that the family really needed him tonight.

"I'll read a story to Gabe if you want to take the girls. Will that help?" Phillip offered at bedtime after the two men tidied away the dinner dishes. He could tell the harried father could really use some help, however small it was that he could offer.

Gareth nodded and smiled apologetically, so Phillip got to work. He sat with Gabe and read him a ridiculous tale about a farting dog, then talked to the boy for a little while, assuring him that he wasn't stupid and that he should never be ashamed that he learned just a bit differently than others. Everyone has their strengths; and all that stuff that's supposed to build kids up when they're facing a rough time. But, he also explained that resorting to violence was never the proper option. It was all thoroughly exhausting.

When Phillip finally got to the kitchen to start the tea Gareth was already there, leaning against the counter quietly sobbing over the kitchen sink. It was a surprise to see the man that Phillip believed to be so strong to have such a moment of weakness, body shaking with the effort of containing the breakdown. Unsure of what to do, Phillip tentatively went up and laid his hand on the hurting man's shoulder. Much to his surprise, Gareth didn't freeze up or pull away, instead he turned to Phillip and embraced him, slouching down and leaning in, crying onto Phillip's solid shoulders while his arms encircled his lower back.

At first Phillip was shocked, but he couldn't help but offer comfort to the man he'd come to care for so much in such a short period of time. A few months, really, but those few months made all the difference in the world. "It will be okay, Gareth. Whatever it is, we can figure it out," Phillip spoke in hushed tones, wrapping one arm around the man, holding him, and gently running his fingers of the other hand through Gareth's hair, rubbing the man's scalp just a little. This was something he'd wanted to do almost since they'd first met. It was coarse,soft, and smelled wonderful, and was just everything Phillip hoped it would be.

"She called F and CS on me, Phillip. I could lose everything—the kids, my job, everything. Hell, I could go to jail." There was hurt, bitterness, anguish in Gareth's voice and Phillip almost fell apart at the man's obvious distress. His shoulder was damp with Gareth's tears and Phillip was desperate to help, to do anything to make things better. Anxiety and tension rolled off Gareth in waves, and Phillip was at a loss.

"What can I do? Is there anything? Let me just make the tea and we can sit to figure this out." Phillip hoped the tea could provide some routine, some sense of normalcy, maybe more comfort than he, himself, could provide.

Instead of going to the couch, Gareth stayed in the kitchen and watched Phillip, not leaving his side. Like he needed him; grateful for the support Phillip was providing, the care he was taking, the hope he was instilling. When the tea was done, they took their steaming cups to the living room, where they sat side by side on the sofa, instead of across the table from one another.

"So," Phillip took a small sip of his steaming hot tea, "tell me what happened."

Gareth explained everything. The visit from Francine, the investigation, the possible outcomes, and how he knew Leeann was responsible. "I just can't believe she did this. I mean she's completely trying to ruin my life. If they find anything—any small shred of a problem, I could, at best, be suspended from work, but at worst, I could never work again and lose all contact with my children. I could be labelled a sex offender--a pedophile for heaven's sake." The words choked out of Gareth, making him physically ill, bile again rising in his tight throat.

Phillip reached over and placed his hand on Gareth's knee, making small circles, trying to calm the man down. "But you aren't guilty of anything. We'll just have to make sure everything is in order, then. You said they need to visit here, right?"

After much gentle persuasion, Phillip convinced Gareth that Gabe should take his childhood bedroom, the only bedroom he'd ever had. Gareth would continue to sleep in the master bedroom, and Phillip would take the pullout couch in the basement. As much as Gareth argued against it, Phillip knew it made the most sense. All the Lewises would be on one floor, have one bathroom, and no adult would share a bed with a child. Phillip would be safely away from the children, a whole floor away in the basement with his own bathroom, and all would appear completely normal and safe for the family and children services visit.

"I'll get everything set up tomorrow while you're at school. You can explain it to the children in the morning, and everything will be fine. You'll see."

"I don't understand how you can be so good about this."

"Gareth, you take care of everyone. Please, let me take care of you this once," he passionately entreated.

Gareth wasn't so sure Phillip was correct. He was pretty sure that Phillip had been doing a lot of taking care of the Lewises since they'd moved in. "I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to. To be honest, I'm being selfish." Phillip looked deep into Gareth's light brown eyes that were wet with tears and puffy from crying. Phillip was biting his lips, scared of the words that slipped out next. "I don't want you to go. Any of you." And he pulled Gareth in for an embrace, longing for more, but knowing now wasn't the time. It would just complicate an overly complex situation.

There they sat, tea forgotten, gone cold, for a few more minutes until they broke apart, Gareth swept his lips ever so gently across Phillip's cheek before wiping his eyes and stifling a yawn. "Thank you, Phillip, for everything," he whispered as he stood, taking one last long look before shuffling off to bed. Gareth's lips were tingling with the graze of Phillip's stubble, and Gareth couldn't believe how he'd gotten so aroused by a simple peck with everything else that was going on. His life could be over, but his lips were tinged with excitement.

Phillip left the tea things for the morning, and slowly made his way to his small room for one last night, still in complete shock at the events of the evening. He brought his hand up to the place where he was sure Gareth had branded him, the whisper of a kiss igniting him, and he closed his eyes tight. At least he was secure in the knowledge that he could be of some help to the man and family he cared for. As he laid down, he could still Gareth's arms wrapped around him and it was something that fit, something he wanted, the more that he'd never known he was searching for.

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After a full day of cleaning, moving clothes, furniture and doing laundry, Phillip really felt he could do no more. He scrubbed the bathroom and moved all his toiletries to the basement. He put new sheets on his small single bed and cleared out his bookshelves, replacing them with Gabe's stuffed animals and some toys. It wasn't an easy day. The kids were almost stoic in the morning, accepting that the visit was coming. Even though the men gave nothing away, Daisy asked if their mother was responsible for the visit. Rather than malign her, Gareth explained that the reports were anonymous and confidential. Daisy didn't push, but it was obvious where her beliefs fell.

Although Gareth was obviously very stressed, he did make an effort to reach out to Phillip before leaving for work. He touched his hand at the counter in one instance, sending shivers of delight up Phillip's arm, and had given him a bit of a hug before heading out. Phillip hoped that the contact wasn't simply a reaction to the stress and a need for comfort, but instead something more meaningful, and he puzzled over it for awhile as he finished his coffee.

Surveying the basement, Phillip pulled out the couch and made up the bed. Looking in the corner, he realized that the kids shouldn't be using his area as a playroom, so instead of taking a break, he moved all their toys up to a corner of the living room. Although everything looked good, Phillip couldn't help but feel a little ill. What else could be done? At this point he was just making himself sick with worry and tried working in the potting shed with his plants to control his anxiety.

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Gareth made a concerted effort to keep his mind on other matters while at work, but it was hard. He certainly didn't want his mood to affect the way he dealt with his class, but he was second guessing every interaction, just in case it could be misconstrued as something untoward. It was obvious to Abby when she saw him in the hall that something was very wrong, so rather than delay, he explained everything to his teaching partner in lowered volume at lunch.

Abby, on the other hand, couldn't keep quiet. 

"That BITCH!" Her voice rang out across the staffroom, some of the primary teachers giving her shocked and disapproving looks. There was nothing worse than assaulting the ears of the ever sensitive teachers of the lower elementary school classes with obscenities and vulgar language. Of course they already were tut-tutting back down to their carefully cut sandwiches and baby carrots before Abby regained control of her ability to speak in a more hushed tone. "What the hell is wrong with her?" she hissed.

It was pretty obvious what was wrong with her, so Gareth and Abby discussed courses of action and the changes Phillip had suggested the night before. As much as Gareth felt incredible guilt about having Phillip give up his bedroom, Abby agreed that it was a good idea. She also thought that maybe there was more going on than Gareth was willing to admit.

"You couldn't have continued to share with Gabe forever," she reasoned. "Eventually you'll either have to move or figure out some other sleeping arrangements because Phillip shouldn't be on the couch in the basement of his own house."

"There aren't any other bedrooms, Abby," Gareth said, exasperatedly. He was pretty sure she already had this information.

"I know, Gareth." Abby looked up with a perceptive smile. "This man is willing to rearrange his entire house for you, and you sit there obtusely ignoring what is staring you in the face, who is staring you in the face?"

He didn't want to admit to yesterday's kiss because Abby would have a field day, besides he wanted to keep it to himself for just a bit longer. "I have to, Abby. As great as he is, for right now, I have to. I could lose everything." Gareth kept his voice low, teachers gossiped just as much as everyone else, and Abby'd already gotten them unwanted attention today. He didn't want people to pick up on his sexuality, too. Not that he was embarrassed by it, but some people weren't as tolerant as others, especially when it came to male elementary school teachers.

"But you won't. Bill's co-workers are good lawyers, and Pete from F & CS isn't stupid—I've dealt with him a few times. You are what's best for your kids, and from the sounds of it, Phillip could be someone good for you." She patted his hand. "After the meeting today, you'll meet with the lawyer on Thursday and everything will get better. I promise."

"God, I hope so, because this is pretty damn bad." And there was another volley of dirty looks from the primary contingent.

A/N: Okay, so it's okay to hate characters, but not the author...please? The next update will be Sunday because I'm going to try to stick to the three updates a week thing, unless everything else gets too hectic. Thanks for all the support!

<3 JJ