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“Burning the midnight oil Anton?” Matt sounded far too pleased with himself at this hour and the old doctor groused slightly.
“How did you know I’d be here?"
“Katharine told me besides have a favour to ask.”
“Cant it wait till the morning?”
“Would I have rung if it could?”
“Probably not. So what do you need?”
“You have my resignation Anton on the desk under that pile that Frank left behind.”
“Yes I saw that. We loose you and Peter in the same week as Curtis is suspended and Frank gets stood down. What is going on Matt?”
“A little Presidential house keeping.”
“I thought it was you all along.” Anton flicked the lamp back on and settled into his seat. “So what is it you need from me?”
“We have a situation at Area 51 that requires the assistance of a top rate Psych.”
Anton smiled, “Stop buttering me up. I can send Sonja.”
“Not this time Anton, Presidential request, should be on your fax machine as we speak. We need psych evaluations done on several subjects to determine their current mental situation, before proceeding with further investigations.”
Anton looked up and saw the Whitehouse insignia on the top of the page as it came through the fax. He reached out a long hand to snag the document and smiled when he saw the President signed it personally.
“Okay I have travel assignments, I won’t arrive till tomorrow late. You want to tell me who I am evaluating?”
“Sorry Anton can’t do that yet. What’s the update on Peter?”
“Oh he’s home, doing okay, convinced Connor is alive and quite rational about it.”
“What?” Anton didn’t fail to miss the astonishment in Matt’s voice and raised a brow.
“After he was stabbed the surgeons lost him on the table a couple of times, no one told him since we’ve been concerned about his emotional state. The first time they had a rough ride to bring him back the second time was relatively textbook. However, he told his father the reason he came back was because Connor wasn’t there and he is convinced he is still alive.”
“Ah Anton,” Matt hedged softly.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Jesus, Anton.” There was real anguish in his voice. “This is a classified operation and I need you here ASAP. I also need you to not discuss this with Peter.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Good.” Praeger calmed.
~~~****~~~
“Dad I can do it.” Peter glared as he pulled the box down from the top of the linen press.
“You’ve been out of hospital for less than a week Peter.” Ray braced his feet and glared back.
“I’m still taller than you are and fitter, even given this.” He waved at the bandage on his chest. He winced as the skin pulled at the wound but showed no outward signs to his father and handed him the box of bedding.
“I notice you’ve still got Connor’s things in the wardrobe.” The old man was blunt to the point of being rude, and despite his desire not to have this conversation, especially now, he appreciated the genuine concern that edged the voice.
“Yes Dad, and they will stay there till I know for sure.”
“Peter.” Rays voice was accountably soft as he stepped back.
“No Dad, Anton’s been barracking me for weeks to box his stuff up and I agreed when I got back from assignment I’d consider it, but after what happened I have no intentions. None- got that Dad? Connor is alive and I know you think I’m nuts but I’ve never felt better and I assure you my sanity is not in question.” Peter’s voice was soft and his commitment to his belief was stronger than ever.
“Later then.” Ray held his hands up in defeat and followed him into the den.
“Seems that Matt succeeded in bringing Elsinger down.” Peter couldn’t help the small gloat in his voice, as he looked over the paperwork the OSIR legal office had sent him this morning.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish, is he taking Rollins with him?”
Startled Peter smiled at the patriarchal and protective tone to his father’s voice. “So it seems, if nothing else Rollins will have to face a full inquiry. He went so far beyond protocol and the OSIR mandate I wouldn’t be surprised if criminal actions were leveled.”
“Because he put you in danger?” Ray sat down and watched his son move slowly around the beautiful room.
“Partly. He put a lot of people in danger, which in turn will call his entire service record into the hearing. There’s a lot in there that Elsinger covered up for him. I think between the two of them they won’t get a job as a janitor let alone anything in power.”
“So I take it you’ve spoken to Matt about the new regime?”
“No actually, I haven’t spoken to Matt for a while.” Peter narrowed his eyes. “But you have haven’t you Dad?”
Ray folded his hands across his abdomen and met Peter stare for stare. “Yes I have, he rang me before you went to Ontario.”
“Because?” The lethal quietness was back in his voice.
“He was worried and thought I should know.”
“Ah, well see now that makes a lot of sense, since you were openly hostile to me the last time we spoke. As you can see.” Peter’s tone was ice cold and the old man felt himself shiver involuntarily. “I’m fine and babysitting duties are over.”
“You will not dismiss me.” Ray stood and glowered, his formidable presence invading the calm room.
“I will and I have.” Peter stood with his hands thrust deep into his pockets.
“No you will not. Despite everything that has happened between us Peter, you are first and foremost my son. Do not forget that.”
“Seems you did very easily, especially when I needed you.” Peter spat back the anger and hurt undeniable.
“Yes and for that I am truly sorry.” Ray sat down again, diffusing the situation.
“Don’t be I can live with your revulsion of my lifestyle and my choice of partners, I can live knowing full well I disgust you, but I refuse to live with your pity.”
“Yes but can you live with my love?”
Peter paced his face storm dark, he wanted nothing more than to believe too much time and hurt had passed, but he couldn’t. Not yet.
“I don’t know Dad, I guess I’ve never really had it.”
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