Part Eight
“Jesse, Jesse, please listen to me,” said Giles. “They only want to help. They’re going to make sure that you’re somewhere where you can’t be hurt anymore. And I’m certain they’ll try to keep you within visiting distance of Sunnydale.”
Jesse sniffed several times, “I want to be with Xander all the time. We’ve always been together.”
Giles sighed, “Yes, but things change, and sometimes you can’t stop that. We have to consider what will be beneficial for both you and Xander.”
“I am,” sobbed Jesse. “We’ve always been there for each other.”
Yates and Jenkins motioned for Giles to come speak with them, and Giles carefully transferred Jesse over to Iam.
The three adults moved down the corridor, a little ways away from the boys. “We’ve contacted the office, and they’re going to set up a foster home for Jesse as soon as possible. But for right now, would you mind taking Jesse? I understand that Xander won’t be ready to leave the hospital for at least a day or two,” said Jenkins.
“We’ve also arranged for the adoption paperwork for Xander,” said Yates.
“Of course it’s fine,” said Giles. “I wouldn’t send that boy back to his house, and I wouldn’t want to put anyone else out. But, I don’t suppose I could take him, too? Permanently?”
Yates smiled sadly, “There’s a gentleman in LA who really wants Jesse. He’s estranged from his wife and recently lost his son in a custody battle, but he’s seems like a wonderful and caring person. Very stable career too.”
“Just the place for Jesse.”
“Yes,” said Jenkins. “However, it will take a few days before Jesse can fostered with him. The paperwork’s being pushed through the system, but it will still takew abit of time.”
“Beg pardon?”
“The man, he’s a lawyer. He called in a few favors to get the adoption papers through the system as fast as possible,” explained Jenkins.
“He’s had the background check?” asked Giles, concerned.
“Of course,” said Yates, “the man may be a lawyer, but he can’t bypass everything.”
“Certainly, certainly,” Giles agreed, though he still had a bad feeling about Jesse’s upcoming adoption.
“They’re going to take me away,” said Jesse.
“No,” said Iam, awkwardly. “Uncle Rupert said they’ll try to keep you as close as possible.”
“And we should always believe the adults,” sneered Jesse. Iam looked at him, shocked. He was immediately contrite, “I’m sorry. I just don’t have much faith in adults. But your uncle seems to be really nice… And he’s taking Xander in.”
“What’s wrong, though?” asked Iam, running his hand through his hair, fingers snagging in tangles.
Jesse watched the blue-eyed boy for a moment before
answering. “There’s a guy who
wants to… to adopt me. But, he
lives in LA. That’s too far away!
I’ll never see Xander, and he’ll leave me for someone else.”
“No, he won’t,” soothed Iam, pulling the other boy into a hug. “He loves you, and absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
The three adults returned to where they boys were, and Giles cleared his throat, startling them. “Jesse, you’re going to be coming home with us for a few days, until the paperwork goes through for your new home.”
“O-okay,” said Jesse. “Can I say goodbye to Xander before we leave?”
“Of course you can,” said Giles. “But only a few moments, he’s still sedated.”
Jesse entered the hospital room and walked quietly over to the bed. He looked down at Xander and reached out to pet one cheek lightly. “I have to leave, Xan. I’m gonna see you again tomorrow. But, I think once I leave, I’m not coming back. And I don’t want that.” He sighed, and bent down to brush a kiss on Xander’s forehead. “But, no matter what, I’m always gonna love you.”