A/N: There's one thing that I wanted to clarify from last chapter, Spencer knows the difference between abuse and properly administered corporal punishment. I appreciate those who have differing views but this is how I've written the story. Please feel free to share honest opinions but all I ask is that don't make the story about something it isn't. Now with the heavy stuff out of the way: Bella-chan16 -no happy dance is stupid, I.C.2014- yes Trish is pretty smart after having helped raise Gideon, Shannon Jethro Gibbs Snape- here's your next chapter. MelanieMM and Ficdirectory: thank you for being honest and I hope that even though we have different views that you will continue to read the story. If you should choose not to, then go with the knowledge that I hold no grudge against you. Whatif-Ifonly and Charmony: I love you guys. You two are so much a part of this story and I appreciate and cherish your friendship. As always many heartfelt thanks to Charmony for the beta work.

Btw: For anyone who hasn't read A Tangled Web, Spencer is 8 in the first chapter and 9 in this one. There's an approximately six month time gap between the end of the first chapter and this one.

Chapter 2 – Forging the Bond

Gideon sighed as the phone on his desk rang for the fifth time in an hour. "Gideon," he said as he picked it up, cradling the receiver between his shoulder and his ear so he could continue with the report that he was currently writing.

"Mr. Gideon? This is Carol Jackson and I'm the nurse at your son Spencer's school. He's here in the office and he's not feeling very well. We tried the home number but couldn't reach anyone. Is it possible for you to come get him?"

The agent straightened abruptly. Spencer never complained of being sick so if he was in the nurse's office then he must be ill. "Yes, I'll be right there. Will you tell him I'm on my way?" He stood even as he heard the nurse's affirmative. Grabbing his keys and his briefcase, he hurried out the door, only to nearly bump into Rossi as he rounded the corner.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" the Italian asked with a grin.

"School nurse just called me; Spencer is sick."

"Jason!" Max Ryan's voice called from across the room. "I need your help!"

Gideon spun around. "I can't; I have to go get my son." He kept walking backwards as he talked.

"Let your aunt handle the kid. You have a job to do."

"Max, Trish is out of town. I don't have a choice. I have to go."

"Well figure out something else. I need you and Dave to head to Raleigh. They've got some serious trouble on their hands." Max left the room before Gideon could raise another protest. He turned to his friend.

"Dave…" he shrugged helplessly.

"Would Spencer be alright staying with Sarah?" Rossi suggested quietly, seeing the worry and frustration in his friend's eyes.

Gideon shook his head. "I don't know. He went to the nurse's office when he never admits to being sick. He's going to be grumpy and clingy and I don't want to have to ask her to deal with him when he's like that." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to go talk to Max. Maybe I can get him to change his mind."

Rossi snorted. "Good luck."

"Yeah," the other man muttered as he knocked on his boss's door. A few minutes later he reappeared with the supervisor behind him.

"You promised me that if you took the boy in that it wouldn't interfere with your job. Here's your chance to prove it; find someone else to take care of the kid." Max shut the door with a bang behind Gideon as he left.

"Wow, someone has a burr up their butt," Rossi remarked softly as his friend rejoined him.

"You're telling me? I don't know who will be happier when his divorce is finalized; his ex-wife or us." Gideon dropped heavily into his chair. "Guess I need to call Sarah and make sure she can watch Spencer for me."

"Won't you need to call the school and let them know she's picking him up?" Rossi half sat on the corner of his friend's desk.

"No, I'll go get him and take him to the house. That way he hears what's going on from me and not from Sarah. He'll handle it better that way." He looked up to see a raised eyebrow. "Let's just say, I learned something from the dinner when Spencer met Sarah for the first time. Not to mention that Trish took me to task as soon as Sarah had left."

Rossi snorted. "Bet that wasn't fun. Trish is a pistol. She's the only person I know who can cuss someone out without using a single curse word."

Gideon nodded ruefully as he listened to the phone line ringing.

"Hello?"

"Sarah, it's Jason. Listen, I need a favor."

Spencer blinked sleepily as the nurse came back into the room. "Hey sweetie, your dad is here to get you."

The boy nodded as he slowly sat up, the vinyl cot squeaking slightly as he moved. A sheen of sweat gleamed on his forehead and his face was pale. He swayed slightly as Gideon appeared behind the nurse. The agent pulled his son into his arms as the child reached him.

"I don't feel good Dad," Spencer murmured as he pressed his face into his father's chest.

"I know kiddo. We're going to take you home."

"We?" Spencer sniffled as he collected his backpack.

"Uncle Dave is with me." Gideon put his arm around his son's shoulders as he steered him out of the school's clinic and towards the parking lot. He helped the boy into the backseat as he tossed his book bag onto the floor. Rossi twisted to look at his nephew.

"Not feeling too good, eh bambino?"

Spencer shook his head before curling up on his side. He was almost asleep when the car pulled into the driveway. He vaguely registered the sound of a female voice as he was gently lifted from the car. Then a cool hand touched his forehead.

"He's burning up, Jason. Did the nurse check his temp?" Sarah's voice reflected her concern.

"Yes and she said he wasn't running one at school, but she didn't check it again before I picked him up."

"Daddy, what's going on? Why is Sarah here?" He knew he was whining but he felt too sick to care.

"I have to go out of town on a case. Sarah is going to take care of you until Trish gets back from New York." Gideon carried his son upstairs to his room as he answered the question and helped him change into a pair of pajamas.

"But I don't want her. I want you!" Spencer wailed. Tears welled in his eyes, threatening to spill down his cheeks. His dad pulled him close, rubbing his back.

"I know kiddo. But remember, sometimes I have to go away for work and this is one of them."

"Yeah, I guess so. I just wish Trish was here."

Gideon kissed the top of his son's head as a faint smile touched his mouth. "Me too, buddy; me too." He looked up as a soft knock sounded. Sarah poked her head around the door with a tray in her hands.

"May I come in?" she asked quietly, her gaze on Spencer. He nodded miserably, still curled into his father's side. She set the tray down on the bedside table before joining the two on the bed. "Let's take your temp, ok?"

Spencer obediently opened his mouth as she slipped the thermometer under his tongue. Two minutes later, she checked it with a sigh.

"How high is it?" Gideon asked.

"102.4," she replied, reaching for the bottle of acetaminophen she had brought with her. "Can you take some medicine for me?"

"Yes ma'am," the little boy whispered, sounding much younger than his nine years. Sarah deftly measured out the amount and administered it before giving her young charge a sip of water to rinse his mouth. Gideon laid him down and tucked the blankets around him, kissing his forehead.

"Get some sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." He waited until his son's eyes were closed before he slipped out of the room with Sarah on his heels.

"He'll be alright. I can handle him," she said softly, trying to reassure her boyfriend.

"I know. I just hate leaving him like this."

Several hours later, Sarah looked up from her book as Spencer trudged into the living room. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were just a little too bright for her liking. He weakly sank down onto the couch next to her.

"I don't feel good, Sarah. My stomach hurts." He leaned against her as she felt his forehead. He felt even warmer than he had that afternoon.

"Do you feel like you're going to throw up?"

Spencer nodded. "And it hurts right here." Sarah frowned as he pointed to the right side of his stomach. She shifted him so she could see where he was indicating.

"Spencer, does it hurt worse when I push on it or when I let go?"

"When you let go," he choked out. "Sarah, it really, really hurts." The boy's lower lip started to tremble.

"Ok, baby. I think we need to take you to the doctor."

"But you're a doctor. Why can't I just stay here with you?"

Sarah smiled sadly at the pitiful look the child gave her. "Because I don't have any medicine here to make you feel better. It will be okay, I promise." She gave him a quick hug. "Can you go put on a pair of shoes while I call your dad?"

Spencer nodded before slowly stumbling upstairs. Sarah moved across the room to call Gideon, but before she could pick up the receiver she heard the unmistakable sounds of retching. She hurried up the steps to see Spencer on his knees, doubled over. He had gotten sick before he could get to the bathroom and now he looked up at her with stricken eyes. "I'm sorry," he whimpered.

She quickly retrieved a cold washcloth from the bathroom and wiped his face and mouth. "It's ok, honey. I'm not mad. It was an accident and you couldn't help it. Do you think you can go change your shirt while I clean this up?" She helped the boy to his feet as he nodded and led him into his room. She left him there while he changed into a clean t-shirt, and returned to clean the mess in the hall.

A short time later, she helped the boy into the car and headed for the emergency room, doing her best as she drove to squash her fear for the little boy who was coming to mean so much to her.