Kasey with a K

Chapter 27

After kissing his poppy goodbye It was my turn I took my time and wanted to slip a hand into his shirt to feel his nips, I was trying to turn my man on again but it didn't work he was too ensconced in the computer, as I was standing behind him I noticed on the screen `Lloyd v's Sutton case number 13654." My stomach groaned, he must have realized I could see it so he immediately closed the lid down.

"Not for your eyes Adam."

"I know, and I don't want to know either." So I gave him one last smacker and took our son's hand to show him to the lift.

"Bye poppy."

"Bye son, have a good day," Kase called out.

He didn't want a heap of rides today just up then down to the basement. The lights were on as we got out of the lift and I carried my son over to the car and got him settled in his seat. I looked at his face in the rear vision mirror his eyes were once again everywhere.

After all the cuddles and hellos at the salon Trev and Sam were deep in conversation about the big red dog, Trev watches it in the morning while he's having his breakfast. Janice was her bubbly self and Trish and I looked through Cody's awesome shop. A young man asked if he could help and I told him I was looking for kids board shorts. I looked through the selection and got him two pairs then I bought some new black hipster jeans for myself and a nice pair of see-through hipster briefs for Kasey, Trish bought Evans a pair too. We got a big discount and I was loaded up with a large paper carry bag.

We went to the tea room and Trish made us some coffee, there were buns and biscuits on offer, I smiled because some things never change. Although not fully busy yet the salon does pay its way and as Trish keeps reminding me, give it time.

Sam came looking for us followed by Trev, he sat down with us and looked like he was going to tell me something but I got in first.

"Go get Janice Trev." He shut his mouth and went to find her. When they both came back I made them sit down and relax.

"Now, as you may or may or may not know Cody is opening a store in Melbourne. He wants me to open a salon alongside his like here, and I need someone to do that for me, well a couple of someones. It would also mean I need someone capable of running a salon, someone, that knows my décor and the type of staff I hire. Do either of you two know anyone or a couple?" They looked at each other and smiled, Janice took over.

"You know we are wanting to move back to Melbourne so could you please consider us as managers, I know I haven't had a lot of experience but Trevor has."

"You have Janice, believe me you wouldn't be here if I didn't have any confidence in you and yes if you really must leave us up here you can share the manager's job. But think about it will you, we will all miss you both."

"We will miss you all too, but we will speak just about every day and is not that far away only a two-hour flight." Trev smiled.

"Good, then when Cody gives us the green light be ready to shift."

"Adam can we go next week, because we need to find a place to live and that's when Trev's lease is up we are getting a little desperate for time."

"Well I came in at the right moment then, Trish can you hire some more staff as soon as you can, and kids I wish you all the love and luck in the world." I hugged them both and they went off to tell the others. That leaves me with the two girls and a male temp here at the moment its short notice but I will have to fill in until we get another couple of stylists.

"Trish I guess you had better start interviewing possible contenders then." She smiled at me and said.

"Their names are Dirk and Ethan want to see a pic?"

"What?"

"The pic first, then I will tell you why." She handed over the phone and I saw two gorgeous young men covered in tattoos one was a hipster and the other had a sculptured goatee, they looked more like they belonged in a men's modeling magazine or a football field than a salon, I lingered while Sam moved out of my lap to go find someone to play with.

"Why?"

"I'm pleased you asked Adam, these guys are gay but I bet you couldn't tell even with your gaydar, they came in a week ago looking for work, they have been working casually at the paper manufacturer's up the road and because they both have hairdressing certificates I told them to drop their history in. I will give them to you before you go, they tick all the boxes, good looking, tall dark and handsome, the ladies will adore them and they are talented. We have the two babes doing the men's haircuts and they are doing well, why? because the men love them. These two are going to take this salon to another level, we aren't just going to sell good hair we are going to sell sex on legs."

"Oh no we aren't Trish, where is your bloody head at?"

"They are gym junkies they wear tight shorts and tank tops to work and are plucked to perfection what woman could resist them fussing over their grey roots." Grinning she offered more coffee.

"So that will leave you. Anne, the two boys and the temp,"

"No us two girls, the temp and three new hunks Adam."

"Why three?"

"Because we are going to be so busy we will need three guys and if my idea works out I ideally would like to move Anne over to your salon and make this one the sexiest salon in Australia."

"I hope your right, but I trust your judgment so you have my vote." I was a little excited about the prospect, selling my sexy staff for haircuts I guess she's right the girls in the barbershop do a roaring trade.

She passed over another photo, this guy was fucking magnificent but not a gym junkie a well proportioned blonde with hair past his shoulders, he looked a little like me in a way, well his hairstyle was the same. His body was well and truly Kasey's thing I had better keep him away from him.

"His name"

"Heath."

"He looks like Heath Ledger." I could see it now.

"Too right boss."

"And their work history is excellent?" I had to ask.

"Yes Adam, they all worked a salon in Sydney then moved here but are finding it hard to get any salon work, the salon there closed down there were too many women rioting I believe and gays." She laughed.

I sipped my coffee and stared at her then I said.

"Well it could work but I don't want to upset Anne by moving her back, we can fit her in cant we?"

"No problem, she stays here, us girls are going to have a ball." Grinning she bit into an iced bun. I had finished and now I had better feed my son, so I grabbed him from Anne's station just before she picked her hairspray up.

"Too many smells baby, you still got poppas aftershave on." He nodded at me.

"He loves the smell of hairspray honey," She giggled and asked if I was going to hire the boys. I winked and said.

"How tight are the shorts?"

"Very tight." She groaned this time.

"Come on baby let's go get something to eat."

"Ok poppa can I have some those nuggets?"

"Let's wait and see I want you to try everything not just nuggets and spaghetti."

I picked him up and started for my favorite Italian takeaway shop, he got nuggets with pasta sauce on top.

We left the salon around one so I headed home and swung by the supermarket, I like going there it's not far from home, and up until I met Kasey I used to walk the mile and a half to shop there. I pulled into the car park under a shady tree and got my boy out then rang Kasey.

"Just pulled into the supermarket won't be too long." "Good I miss you, do you think Sam looks tired yet?" I giggled.

"Yes Kasey, he will be ready for a sleep by the time he gets home." I laughed again he groaned. I guess he's expecting me to put out when I get there.

I hung up and grabbed a cart then sat Sam into the kiddy seat his eyes again were everywhere. We had to stop now and then to look at the brightly colored packaging thank god he doesn't know confectionary yet otherwise we would be there for hours. I got what I needed and was about to head to the checkout when it all happened. Looking back it is just a memory but a horrible one at the time.

I heard a little kids screams in fact the whole supermarket heard him. When I turned the corner I saw a woman standing over a little boy who was having a full-on temper tantrum on the floor, he was screaming at the top of his lungs. I felt so sorry for the little mite he was distressed beyond caring, his mum didn't help by screaming back at him the other shoppers looked on not knowing what to do about the situation. I had only turned my back for a minute but when I turned around again to get on with my business there was no Sam.

"Sam, Sam where are you?" I looked around and then I heard him. His screams were out of this world I could say deep and guttural as I spied him running through the checkout ducking everyone in his way.

"Grab him, he's my son, please grab him," I yelled but they all looked at me I barged past them and followed him out the front of the shop. I could hear him but I couldn't see him and tried to follow his sounds. I ran and ran looking behind cars and god forbid on the busy road, everything had gone silent I couldn't hear him anymore, I didn't know what to do I couldn't find him. I pulled my phone out and rang Kasey he will know what to do, and between my babbling and crying I got the story over to him I have no idea what he will do and I didn't know what to do either, I was too distraught. I walked and walked around looking for my little boy but I couldn't find him, I asked everyone I passed in the street surely someone had seen him but they all said no.

A few said they would keep their eyes out and that's when I got scared, scared I had told the wrong person and they might harm my baby, I saw a cop and tried to explain to him what had happened he put in a call and then I made my way back to the supermarket after I tore myself away from him because he wanted me to stay there. I must have walked around the shop for miles until I saw at least four military trucks coming up the street. Kasey jumped out of the lead one followed by loads of men he yelled at them.

"Fan out and check everything in your path he couldn't have got too far." I ran over to him.

"Adam?" He stared at me.

"Kasey I lost him he just ran its all my fault but he was too quick."

"I know baby, but you have to settle down and tell me what happened to him, please baby you look like you're going to have a stroke calm down."

"I can't I can't, he's out there somewhere scared stiff I have to find him." I collapsed into his arms and then I slid down to the pavement holding my hands to my face, I wanted to scream but it wouldn't come out.

He pulled me back up on my feet and looked me in the eyes.

"We will find him Adam, have faith that the men will find him."

The manager of the supermarket had bought me out a small brandy in a paper cup so I downed it and it did calm me down a bit. After thanking him I heard Kasey yell.

"Look under the cars he may be hiding there." I had no idea where he would hide and there's no way he would find his way home again. The police had arrived and joined in on the search I could hear people asking what was happening but I didn't hear the answers only Kasey's voice as he roared into his walkie talkie. I walked over to where the car was parked and thought I might be able to drive around the area he may still be running. When I got no more than ten yards from it I saw a soldier laying on the ground he was at the back of the car and the closer I got I could hear him talking to someone.

"So what's your poppies name? is it Major Kasey?"

My heart leaped into action and I screamed,

"Sam!"

The soldier held his arm out and Sam's head appeared. He looked at the Corporal and started smiling when he saw me.

"Poppa, you said he would be good to find me he saves me." He started crying again.

I rushed to help get him out from under the car and as I did I screamed Kasey's name. I picked him up and kissed and cuddled him for ages and when I looked at his tear-streaked face he was smiling at his soldier mate who had talked to him to calm him down before anything else happened. I was eternally grateful to him and let him know several times and when Kasey arrived he grabbed Sam off me and did the same kisses and cuddles.

He handed his walkie talkie over to the Corporal and told him to give the order to stand the men down and explain the boy had been found. He grinned and did what he was ordered to do I did see his shoulders straighten up and he gave Sam the thumbs up.

I placed my hand on Kasey's shoulder and whispered to him we will have to talk later but now isn't the time to chastise him, he gave me a blank look just as Sam screamed.

"The little boys."

"He's fine baby, his mummy has taken him home for a nap he was very tired. Everything is fine and now even better since we found you."

He was getting upset again and I think Kasey had tweaked as to what was happening he turned to the Corporal and said.

"Thank you for finding my son Corporal, he's a little wary of the military sometimes but now he knows he can trust you all." Sam did a funny thing he leaned in and kissed the Corporal on the cheek and said.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure little Sammie, we will always find you no matter what." He saluted Kasey then marched off but not before he winked at me and handed the walkie talkie back.

The men clapped and cheered my boy buried his head into my neck as I finally got him into the car seat. Kasey drove and I felt so foolish I had only turned my attention away for a minute and he was gone. I kicked myself up to the apartment and I hadn't said a word to Kasey.

"Are these bags to go up with us Adam with an a?"

"Yes, Kasey with a k" That was our way to let each other know we were good.

I had hold of Sam he was falling asleep, the drama will do that to you sometimes. It was all I could do but undress him and cover him up with his dinosaur bed cover he was out like a light. I then went to find Kasey and told him he was asleep, he took my hand and moved me to the big sofa.

"Lay down baby."

He sat and I laid down placing my head in his lap, he was stroking my head and that's the last thing I remember.

The afternoon sun was coming through the big windows when I finally woke up. I could hear Kasey talking to Sam quietly.

"And you now know that little boy was just getting mad at his mum don't you?"

"Yes poppy, but I thought something bad was happen to him like in the camp."

"Did you always run when you heard screaming?" "Yes poppy, always go to my safe place until it stop."

"Good boy, then if you see my friends in the Military you can run to them they will protect you son.""Ok poppy is the boy okay really?"

"Yes he is son, he's probably watching his cartoons by now."

"Thank you, daddy."

The room went silent and I heard Kasey kiss our son then I heard some sniffles as the Tv burst into life.

"I know your awake Adam, coffee?"

"Yes please Kasey, where's my son?"

"Here poppa are you well?"

"Yes son give me a special cuddle then watch your shows." He gave me his biggest hug and a kiss then settled on the floor with his cushions. I got up and went to splash my face, Kasey delivered my coffee to the bathroom.

"I will get the company psych to talk to him, I thought he would be okay but it looks like he's still not feeling safe."

"He thought the little boy was being abused." A statement, not a question.

"Yes, and he's still worried about him."

"I doubt whether we will find him again but it would be good just to show Sam he is okay."

"The supermarket has cameras, I can break into them and look, maybe his mum is a regular and someone will know her."

"Okay Sherlock, go do your thing." I smiled, because there was no way Kasey was going back out to the living room, I know this because he had already started on my neck and his tongue and mouth were headed south.

When it was all over Kasey then went into the bedroom and started dressing in his full battle gear, he looked so beautiful.

"Nope no bad guys here, let me look on the balcony." It went on as Sam followed Kasey around the apartment, he was making sure he was safe and he knows he's safe.

"Did you look under my bed daddy?"

"Let me look again son, nup no bad guys here either."

"Now private Sam you are safe and you can now watch more cartoons, I will be the lookout until you go to bed."

So Kasey sat on the sofa in full gear watching cartoons, now and then Sam would look his way and smile.

"You would make a great Psychiatrist Kasey."

"I don't know about that but I do now this uniform is very itchy."

"You have gone soft Major it's time you restarted some training with the men."

He was standing next to the table, I know he was dying to get onto his computer.

"You are probably right." I rummaged through the paper bag and bought out the see-through jocks then twirled them around my finger.

"You could wear these they are guaranteed against itches."

He grabbed them and immediately got a boner, I know this because he was only a foot away from my face.

"You could wear them yourself Adam with an a, why don't you try them on."

I giggled as I rushed to the bedroom, they looked quite nice my bulge was definitely on show as I threw my bathrobe over my almost naked body. I flashed Kasey when I came out, he had seated himself in front of the computer the groaning didn't stop until I dished up dinner, we had a special guest sitting with us so I had to cover up, unfortunately.

He watched some more TV even the news with us and we watched him. My phone rang it was mum she had just pulled up in the basement. I told Sammy Billy was coming up so he ran to the front door and waited. When they arrived the first thing he did was grab Billy and hug him, and he didn't let him go for the rest of the night. Dad had insisted they come and keep Sam company and after Kasey saluted him he asked him why he was all dressed up.

"I'm on duty sir just in case our son feels scared." All this was done within earshot.

"Private Bill front and center."

"Yes daddy general." He saluted.

"How does it lay?"

Billy looked around then counted on his fingers.

"Yes sir no sir I think six in the house and alls well."

"Good private Bill, stand down."

"Yes daddy sir." He giggled then went back to entertaining Sam.

"Coffee mum?"

"Yes please son, why didn't you ring me?"

"I didn't want to worry anyone mum, it was my stupid fault it shouldn't have happened, I turned away for one second."

"Adam!" Kasey almost yelled.

"Yes?"

"Stop it," The orders are back.

"Come on son lets go out on the balcony and talk." Which is what we did.

"I haven't got all the answers son, but what happened today would have turned my whole body inside out so I can only imagine how you must have felt."

"I was more concerned for Sammy mum, he's been through so much and he thought the little boy was being abused so he did what his instincts told him, he ran."

"I can't comprehend what went on in that camp, every time I think about it my blood turns cold, poor little fella."

"I will get someone for him to talk to, I think he needs a different distraction in life, he needs to forget all that shit that happened there. I am thankful he wasn't damaged physically but I'm also furious he was there in the first place."

"You don't need someone for him to talk to son, he's got you and Kasey to do that with."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, have you read any of Kasey's reports on the camp, reports on the kids that were rescued but more importantly on Sammy?"

"No mum he wouldn't let me read them and I don't think he will ever let me."

"I will talk to him you need to understand Sam the child Adam, to do that you need to read his story not play guessing games and certainly not passing his problem off to a total stranger. He loves you both and if he can't talk to his daddies he can't talk to anyone, do you get what I mean?"

"Yes mum, we are the ones to talk to him I guess."

"Understand him his moods his history and go from there. There's plenty you can do to distract him from the horrors of war, you and Kasey have already replaced some of the frightening memories, you both just have to try harder and don't accept he feels completely safe inside until you physically actually see it."

I looked at my mum and wondered where all this is coming from, then I realized that she has read his history and she's pointing us in the right direction. Dad and Kasey came out with a fresh coffee pot and the cake I had ordered up from the cafe.

"Have you sorted him out yet Alice?" dad smiled at her.

"I think so John, and Kasey, Adam needs to read Sam's history papers."

"I don't think that's a good idea Mrs. Sutton, best let sleeping dogs lay."

"Give them to my son Kasey, he's stronger than you think he is and he needs to understand what drives Sam so he can combat the enemy within."

I suddenly remembered something and turned to dad.

"Dad can you use your clearance password to get into some sealed records for Kasey to read."

"What? I told you the other day Major Kasey no deal, no way are you getting into any locked files." Poor Kasey went red.

"Leave it Adam there are other ways around it."

"What is this all about anyway Major?"

"Just something I am working on General, I needed to look at one file but I have already guessed what's in it, it's the why that is confusing me."

"Well your bloody confusing me, the both of you are." Dad laughed.

"It concerns me dad, something to do with the bombing."

"Why would you say that son, Kasey has all the relevant material for that case."

"Except one thing General, come with me." Kasey's shoulders dropped like he was giving in. Dad followed him to his home office that he never uses and I looked again at my mum.

"They love each other Adam, it's all military games. I'm sure your father will give in eventually." Screaming boys ran out looking for more cake and they both picked a knee to sit on while they chatted and ate.

"Are you staying the night mum?"

"Yes son, I can drop your father off in the morning then I might take the two boys to the airport. Billy loves watching the planes landing so how about it, do you want to come with us?"

"Work mum, but I'm sure Kasey will go." I immediately changed my mind and I will take the day off and go with them, I love spending time with mum and Billy.

I watched dad and Kase come out of the office and dad sat at the table, he was allowing Kasey to find that paperwork. Kase almost shoved dad aside and started reading, I thought everything was okay until his fist slammed down on the table, all eyes were on him and dad and the argument looked a little heated but I could see dad was trying to shield Kase from us and was trying to calm him down. I didn't want to know and when they finished debating Kasey went to his office and got some papers he had printed which he placed on the table.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked.

"Yes Adam, and I was bloody right too."

"So you're not going to tell me?" "No, not that you don't have the right to know it's just that its best you don't because you may talk to the wrong person."

"I wouldn't do that Kasey."

"You might, you know how salons are Adam, they are a hive of gossip." He laughed.

"How about I wrap your hair up tonight and set it before we go out tomorrow mum."

"Sounds like a mighty fine idea to me son."

I went to get the rollers out and the boys kneeled on the kitchen chairs and watched me curl mums hair up, then they wanted a roller in their hair too. Sam has so many curls one more wouldn't hurt and Billy just wanted one at the front.

We had a good night and Sam's trauma was almost forgotten by the time we got them into bed, Kasey read the story tonight and they were asleep before he finished the second chapter. We all sat on the balcony and had a wine, Kasey told me he printed off Sam's record and left it on the table for me to read, but I should do that in the morning or when we get back from the airport.

"Is there a viewing room out there Kasey?"

"Yes Adam, but I think we will go to the Federal police rooms, the view is much better in there."

"Kase, can we go to the public one please, with a bit of luck there will be other kids there for the boys to get excited with."

"Sure Mrs. Sutton good call." I didn't know what Kasey meant and asked him later in bed, he said we should surround Sam with loads of children so he could see that not everyone is as bad as his captors, my amazing Lieutenant was teaching me again.

No boys this morning and no noise either, they must have been tired. I went to the toilet then to the kitchen to put the coffee on then I heard giggles, they were in with mum and dad, and the more I thought about it the more I was convinced that mum had gently planted a seed in my head, and now I have to devise a way to bring more people into Sam's everyday life. Up until now, it's only been us three.

I popped my head in and dad was covered in small legs and arms, the giggling was heart-warming.

"So you got them this morning." I looked at a smiling mum.

"About three am son, I think your father encouraged them when he went to the toilet during the night." She laughed then threw her blanket off to start her day.

I went back to the bedroom Kasey was in the shower and it didn't take me long to join him. By the time we arrived back out mum had the eggs and bacon on and there was a heap of toast in front of the boys who were again watching cartoons. Dad had joined them and was laughing along so I made us coffee and sat at the table, I fiddled with the paperwork Kasey had left there for me and decided I will read them tonight, my other small problem is what is he up to with all that secrecy with dad.

Mum's hair looked wonderful and the boys helped with the hairspray, no aftershave today just the spray in Sam's hair and Billy had a big curl that flopped over his eyes we had to contain, he looked adorable. Kasey went to change and he had decided to go all military on us again and dad readied himself to go into work or so I thought.

We lined up and sort of looked like a family then we left, no rides today the boys were too excited to go watch some planes.

"Just go to the entrance Adam we won't need the car today." Dad smiled.

He walked us up to the Fed building I waved to Tim as I walked past he poked his head out the door and said good morning, the boys started talking to him and he made a fuss over their curls. The lift took us to the roof of dad's building and the kids nearly freaked out when they saw the huge Military helicopter.

I watched Sam grab Kasey's legs and he picked him up and had a quiet word with him he was nodding at a hundred miles an hour and his smile nearly swallowed his face. Dad had Billy who was all wide-eyed then the machine started warming up. It bought back memories of my childhood days, dad took me on a ride several times, and although I was scared I didn't miss a thing as we flew over the countryside.

"Come on let's get you all belted in."

The screaming started before we left the building and didn't stop until we landed at the airport. The pilot hovered over our building and I pointed out the pool to Sam and where our balcony was then in a flash we headed for the countryside to do a few laps. Balls were squashed as the boys moved from one side to another trying to get the best view, Kasey held my hand probably thinking I was a little scared, I wasn't but his hand felt nice. Mum sat and smiled and occasionally she would look at me. I was to find out later that my first flight had to be aborted I was scared witless, but dad had persisted and I eventually got to like the experience.

We landed at the airport away from the busy runways, the boys were hyped up and raring to go as we were shuttled to the main entry. Kasey ran into Evans who had been waiting to escort us all to the viewing area and lo and behold there was a big group of school kids bouncing up and down at the big windows, again it was hard to hear over the excited yelling. It only took a second before our boys joined in, I watched Sam closely he was a little timid at first but he finally joined in as if nothing mattered except to spot a plane landing. Billy was good for him he almost mirrored what he was doing, and again I got it.

Kasey smiled a lot and when the kids spotted the military guys standing in the back, they touched everything and asked questions about what the many items they carried were for, so dad Kasey and Evans started educating them on the different things that were hanging from their belts and legs. The teacher was wrapped that the guys were there and the planes were all but forgotten for the time being.

After the men were prodded and poked the teacher sat all the kids down, ours included and was trying to teach them how planes work but they kept looking at Kasey, Evans, and dad so she gave up and the boys held the floor for the next half hour. Kasey had a brilliant thought and he started teaching them self defense pairing them off with each other. I saw a boy shy away from them and thought yep that's the gay one, how I knew I didn't know but I gently picked him up and started pointing to the plane that was boarding and I was telling him about the hostesses and pilots that were standing on the tarmac, he was a gentle kid no more than four or five and I suppose he appreciated the lesson it saved him being dropped by a classmate.

Seven airliners landed one after another and the boys never let up, by the time they were ready for lunch I had almost made my mind up, it's going to hurt me a lot but I have a son now and he must be my number one priority, we have to move.