Fic: Appearances Can Be Deceiving Part 1 of 2
Title: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Author: mrsmarit
Fandom: Shelter / Donald Strachey Mysteries
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Shaun/Zach & Donald & Timothy
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, only the words
Words: 3226
Summary: Written for the smallfandomfest prompt about Shaun hiring Donald to prove Jeanne is unfit to raise Cody when she tells them she wants Cody back. I wrote alot more than I originally intended so this will be in two parts to be posted at the same time. Comments and thoughts are always welcome. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.
Shaun usually hated these book signings mostly because they took away from Zach and Cody, he was ecstatic that he was able to convince his publishers to put off the latest tour until the summer so they could come with if they wanted to. So far he had taken them both to Chicago, New Orleans, and Seattle and finally the last stop in New York. Currently they were in Albany doing a small independent book store The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza and tomorrow they would be going to New York City to finish out the tour and for Shaun to show Zach and Cody the town. His boys were due any minute for his lunch break and he couldn’t wait he was missing them both something fierce.
Shaun is just finishing signing a book for the last guy in his line (who is staring him in a very appreciative way) when he sees Zach and Cody enter the shop and immediately Shaun knows something is very wrong by the look on Zach’s face. Zach comes up and stops in front of Shaun as Shaun stands up and stretches from being seated for so long. Shaun asks Zach what’s wrong questionably as he kneels down and grabs Cody in a hug. Cody giggles as Shaun plants a big wet kiss on his cheek and Shaun sets him down as Zach tells Cody to go to the children’s section and pick out which book he wants.
Zach leans in close to Shaun as Cody walks away and tells him in a rush that Jeanne called and said the very thing that they had been dreading for the last two years, that Jeanne wanted Cody back tears forming in Zach’s eyes. Shaun clutches Zach to him tightly and mutters how he just knew something was up when Jeanne has said she wanted to get to know Cody better, to spend more time with him and he can’t believe she is pulling this shit now after forgetting Cody’s birthday six months ago exclaims letting out his breath in a pent up rush. Zach nods his head in agreement and choking back a sob looks up at Shaun eyes gleaming with unshed tears and asks Shaun what they are going to do, how are they going to prove that Cody belongs with them the two fags and not his birth mother. Shaun pauses for a few minutes and starts thinking about it tells Zach they will just have to get proof that Jeanne is still the same selfish bitch she has always been and maybe they should get character testimony from everyone they can about not only how Jeanne interacted with Cody but how Cody is with him and Zach. Zach ponders this idea and asks Shaun where they are going to find someone willing to work for them in a custody case against his own sister.
Just then they hear someone clear their throat behind them and they both turn around to see a forty something sharp dressed man standing at the signing table. Shaun apologizes for not realizing the man was there, that he had forgot to put up the sign that he was at lunch, he sits down and reaches for the book the man has put on the table and asks him who he wants the book made out to. The man smiles and asks him to make it out to Timothy Callahan. Shaun nods and signs it, closes the book and hands it back to the man once again apologizing for making him wait. Timothy smiles and apologizes that he didn’t mean to eavesdrop but he heard everything and that maybe he could help, that he knew someone who could help them with their problem.
Shaun and Zach both look at Timothy stunned and Zach is the first to get his voice and asks Timothy about this person he knows who can help, a P.I. who is willing to help 2 gay guys keep custody of a boy away from his own mother. Timothy can see that they are both a little uneasy and disbelieving that there is someone out there willing to help gays, especially in a situation like this and he tells them both that this will probably be a welcome change from his usual cases unless of course there is a chance that Jeanne might try and kill Donald. Zach and Shaun look at each other and smile slightly at each other and Zach tells Timothy that the only person Jeanne is likely to kill is him once she finds out what he’s done. Shaun looks at Timothy and tells him that if Donald can help that they would really appreciate it, that Jeanne has only seen him once that first Christmas and like he may have overheard she had totally forgot the kids birthday this year. Timothy frowns at this and asks them if they would like to come over for dinner, to see if Donald might be able to help them. Zach and Shaun share a brief glance and Zach shakes his head in the affirmative and they both look to Timothy and agree that it would be a good idea. Timothy asks them if they would be okay coming over to his and Donald’s house so that they could keep Cody occupied in another room while they talked about things. Zach and Shaun both smile at this, surprised at the thoughtfulness of this man that they had just met, and Shaun tells them that they would be honored to come over that they appreciate any help they can get.
Timothy pulls out one of his cards and writes their address on the back as well as his cell number. He hands it to Shaun and tells him that they’ll see them all about 7 if that’s okay. They both agree that 7 sounds great and shake Timothy’s hand as he picks up his book and heads out the door. Zach moves over to Shaun and hugs him tightly as Cody runs up and hits them both around the legs nearly knocking them over. They both chuckle and Zach brushes a quick kiss on Shaun’s lips as he grabs Cody’s hand and Shaun slings his arm over Zach’s shoulders as they head next door for lunch.
Over lunch they try and keep the talk light in deference to Cody’s presence and they tell Cody that they are going to go to dinner at a new friend’s house tonight and should be heading out to New York City on Monday. Cody perks up at this as he starts planning out what he wants to do while they are there. Zach and Shaun share a smile over the table as Cody continues to plan out the few days they have set aside in New York before they head back home.
Meanwhile across town Timothy has pulled into the parking lot of Donald’s office. He gets out of his car and headed up to the office and stepped in to Donald’s office. He smiles as he saw his partner’s feet up on his desk as he read the latest Advocate while sipping a cup of coffee. Timothy closes the door as Donald sets down the paper and rises from his chair, and heads over to embrace Timothy. Donald pulls back and asks Timothy if anything is wrong, surprised to see him at his office during the day. Timothy shakes his head in the negative and then tells him that they are having guests for dinner and that he may have found him some new clients. Donald asks him to sit down and explain what is going on and Timothy does and proceeds to tell Donald what he knows and why Timothy thinks that Donald can help them. Donald sighs and tells Timothy he’ll see what he can do but he isn’t sure what good he can do considering the situation. Timothy returns the sigh and tells Donald he understands but if he could just see the three of them together, there is no way that Cody belongs anywhere else. Timothy stands up and kisses Donald goodbye saying he needs to head to the store so he can actually cook dinner for their guests.
Promptly at seven there is a knock at the door and Timothy asks Donald to get that so he can keep an eye on dinner. Donald smiles as he heads to the door, he knows how anal Timothy is about his cooking and he opens the door to see two very handsome men and an adorable child standing and looking at him. He reaches out and introduces himself to first Shaun, then Zach and then leans down to shake Cody’s hand as well and this draws a smile and giggle from the little boy. Donald ushers them in the house leading them to the kitchen and dinner. Timothy smiles as he sees their guests following Donald into the kitchen and goes over to welcome them. He tells them dinner is almost ready and there are some appetizers out on the buffet if they would like something to nibble on while they wait. Donald walks over to the buffet and starts helping himself and their guests soon follow suit. They make small talk while Timothy finishes dinner and finally Timothy announces that dinner is served and they all sit down as Timothy sets out the dishes.
As everyone starts digging in Timothy jumps up realizing he has forgotten the special meal he made just for Cody, he had asked Shaun when he had called earlier to see if they needed to bring anything. The smile Cody gives him when he sets the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese he made is worth the extra work he put into that dish. Zach and Shaun share a smile across the table at their hosts generosity and thoughtfulness. After dinner is complete and Zach and Shaun have helped clean up the dishes as Timothy leads Cody into the spare room so he can watch a movie while they talk about the reason that Zach and Shaun are really there. Once everything is settled they all head into the den with martini’s and get down to business as Donald gets out his tape recorder so he can make sure not to miss any information that could prove important later.
Donald looks at Zach and asks him to begin and so Zach tells him everything about Jeanne and how she was with Cody, about how he is the one who raised Cody and about when Jeanne left to move to Portland to be with her new boyfriend who “didn’t do kids” as Jeanne had put it. Donald makes a few notes while the tape recorder captures the whole depressing and repulsive tale, he thinks to himself how in the hell can someone bring a child into this world and treat it like Jeanne has treated Cody. Once Zach has run out of steam Donald turns to Shaun and asks him if he has anything to add. Shaun doesn’t add much except his own observations and one phone call he had received from Jeanne right after he and Zach had taken Cody into their home, basically saying that she was glad that Shaun was there for Zach and Cody, that they could take much better care of him than she could. Zach looks over at Shaun surprised by this as Shaun had never told him this before. Donald asks Shaun if he happens to still have the message saved on his phone and Shaun smiles and tells him he actually saved a copy on an external drive and he had also forwarded it to his email. At this news Donald smiles at the pair and asks Shaun to forward him the email with the recording and also he needs copies of any emails or correspondences between Jeanne and them. They both agree to send Donald whatever he needs including all information they have about Jeanne’s current location and information.
They smile and agree as they stand and get ready to leave as Zach goes to get Cody with Timothy Shaun pulls Donald aside and they discuss rates and such and Shaun asks Donald to be as through as he can, that they can’t lose Cody to that woman no matter what. Donald nods and asks them if they have a lawyer yet and Shaun shakes his head no but lets him know that they will get it taken care of as soon as they get home. Donald tells him he will clear his calendar for the next couple of weeks and will head down to Portland and get started. They are shaking hands as Zach comes down the stairs with a sleeping Cody. Donald opens the door for them and he and Timothy watch as they walk down to the car and get a still groggy Cody into the car and head out. Donald closes the door with a sigh and turns to embrace Timothy as a gentle kiss is placed on his forehead.
They head upstairs for bed and as they crawl between the sheets Donald moves to pull Timothy into an embrace and they kiss tenderly and drift off to sleep, both to overwhelmed with what Donald’s new clients are having to deal with. Across town is almost a similar situation with Shaun getting Cody settled into bed and then going into the room where Zach has already crawled into bed laying on his back with his hands behind his head. Shaun undresses and crawls in next to him and once he is settled he feels Zach roll over and settle into him. Shaun can feel Zach tremble and there is a sudden wetness seeping into his shirt and he realizes that Zach is crying. He lifts Zach’s face gently kissing the tears away and he whispers pulling Zach in tightly that he is going to do everything in his power to make sure that Cody stays with them, where he belongs. Zach sighs and looks into Shaun’s eyes a sad smile on his face and he whispers that he hopes Shaun is right. Shaun pulls him in even closer and they both drift into an exhausted sleep.
The next three days are a blur for Zach and Shaun as they take Cody all over New York City from the Statue of Liberty, to the Empire State Building and even to a Broadway show. Meanwhile Donald has cleared his schedule and has flown down to Oregon to get started on this investigation. He is surprised by the lifestyle this woman has, he thinks to himself. How is she going to raise an 8 year old when she is out partying every chance she can get and working at a 24 hour diner? And this Allen, her boyfriend well needless to say he is not a one woman kind of guy so he decides to follow him when he can to see what more he can find out about this man that could possibly be in Cody’s future.
Zach Cody and Shaun are finally home and getting settled in when Zach gets a phone call from Jeanne. She wants to talk to Cody and reluctantly he hands Cody the phone asking her before he does not to mention what they talked about a few days before. Of course Jeanne being Jeanne she completely ignores his request and asks Cody if he is ready to come home, Cody looks at Zach confused and asks her what she means. She tells him that she wants him to come live with her and Allen and to be a family. He is silent as she keeps going on about how much fun they are going to have and then she asks him if Zach has told him she called a few days ago and told him that she wanted Cody to come and live with her. Cody looks at Zach with tears in his eyes as he throws the phone down and runs to his room slamming the door. Zach picks up the phone and hangs up to a laughing Jeanne on the other end knowing that she got exactly what she wanted, to get Cody upset with Zach so it would be easier for her to worm her way back into his life. Zach and Shaun look at each other and head towards Cody’s room and they knock before opening the door asking him if they can come in. Cody yells a choked no and Shaun asks if he can come in and explain. Cody doesn’t respond so Shaun opens the door slowly and heads in. After a few minutes Shaun opens the door and pulls Zach inside and they sit down on Cody’s bed and Shaun tells Zach that Cody needs to know what is going on. Zach explains to Cody in the best way he can what happened a few days ago and that they didn’t want to worry Cody unnecessarily and that is why they hadn’t said anything. They also told him that they had hired Donald to help them prove that Cody should stay right where he is. Cody launches himself at Zach knocking them both off the bed. He tells them both that he knows where he belongs and it is right here, that this is home and Jeanne can go jump in a lake, that he isn’t going to live with her. Zach gets to his feet with some assistance from Shaun and they look at Cody and they tell him that they agree, that they are a family and they will do anything to protect it.
Shaun goes into the hall and calls Larry and fills him in on what is going on and Larry assures him if need be he will get them the best lawyer he can find to make sure Jeanne doesn’t wreck their family. Shaun thanks Larry as he hangs up and feels Zach’s arms wrap around his waist as Zach spins him around and places a huge kiss on his lover’s mouth. Shaun pulls away with a questioning look, and Zach tells him that the doesn’t even notice that he called Larry dad, that in all the time Zach has known Shaun he has never called Larry his dad. Shaun spins and looks at him and replies that he didn’t even realize that he had said it. Zach heads over to the phone to order pizza for dinner and Cody comes out of his room after washing off his face and he and Shaun sit down to watch the episodes of Torchwood and Doctor Who that they had missed while they had been gone. As soon as he hangs up the phone it rings and he answers it reluctantly hoping that it isn’t Jeanne again and is relieved to hear Donald’s voice on the other end. Donald gives him a brief update on what he has seen so far and it sounds to Zach like nothing has changed, that Jeanne is still being the selfish bitch she has always been. Bolstered by the news he thanks Donald as Donald tells him he will continue digging, that there has to be some reason that she is doing this now. Zach thanks Donald again and they both hang up.
Author: mrsmarit
Fandom: Shelter / Donald Strachey Mysteries
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Shaun/Zach & Donald & Timothy
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, only the words
Words: 3226
Summary: Written for the smallfandomfest prompt about Shaun hiring Donald to prove Jeanne is unfit to raise Cody when she tells them she wants Cody back. I wrote alot more than I originally intended so this will be in two parts to be posted at the same time. Comments and thoughts are always welcome. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.
Shaun usually hated these book signings mostly because they took away from Zach and Cody, he was ecstatic that he was able to convince his publishers to put off the latest tour until the summer so they could come with if they wanted to. So far he had taken them both to Chicago, New Orleans, and Seattle and finally the last stop in New York. Currently they were in Albany doing a small independent book store The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza and tomorrow they would be going to New York City to finish out the tour and for Shaun to show Zach and Cody the town. His boys were due any minute for his lunch break and he couldn’t wait he was missing them both something fierce.
Shaun is just finishing signing a book for the last guy in his line (who is staring him in a very appreciative way) when he sees Zach and Cody enter the shop and immediately Shaun knows something is very wrong by the look on Zach’s face. Zach comes up and stops in front of Shaun as Shaun stands up and stretches from being seated for so long. Shaun asks Zach what’s wrong questionably as he kneels down and grabs Cody in a hug. Cody giggles as Shaun plants a big wet kiss on his cheek and Shaun sets him down as Zach tells Cody to go to the children’s section and pick out which book he wants.
Zach leans in close to Shaun as Cody walks away and tells him in a rush that Jeanne called and said the very thing that they had been dreading for the last two years, that Jeanne wanted Cody back tears forming in Zach’s eyes. Shaun clutches Zach to him tightly and mutters how he just knew something was up when Jeanne has said she wanted to get to know Cody better, to spend more time with him and he can’t believe she is pulling this shit now after forgetting Cody’s birthday six months ago exclaims letting out his breath in a pent up rush. Zach nods his head in agreement and choking back a sob looks up at Shaun eyes gleaming with unshed tears and asks Shaun what they are going to do, how are they going to prove that Cody belongs with them the two fags and not his birth mother. Shaun pauses for a few minutes and starts thinking about it tells Zach they will just have to get proof that Jeanne is still the same selfish bitch she has always been and maybe they should get character testimony from everyone they can about not only how Jeanne interacted with Cody but how Cody is with him and Zach. Zach ponders this idea and asks Shaun where they are going to find someone willing to work for them in a custody case against his own sister.
Just then they hear someone clear their throat behind them and they both turn around to see a forty something sharp dressed man standing at the signing table. Shaun apologizes for not realizing the man was there, that he had forgot to put up the sign that he was at lunch, he sits down and reaches for the book the man has put on the table and asks him who he wants the book made out to. The man smiles and asks him to make it out to Timothy Callahan. Shaun nods and signs it, closes the book and hands it back to the man once again apologizing for making him wait. Timothy smiles and apologizes that he didn’t mean to eavesdrop but he heard everything and that maybe he could help, that he knew someone who could help them with their problem.
Shaun and Zach both look at Timothy stunned and Zach is the first to get his voice and asks Timothy about this person he knows who can help, a P.I. who is willing to help 2 gay guys keep custody of a boy away from his own mother. Timothy can see that they are both a little uneasy and disbelieving that there is someone out there willing to help gays, especially in a situation like this and he tells them both that this will probably be a welcome change from his usual cases unless of course there is a chance that Jeanne might try and kill Donald. Zach and Shaun look at each other and smile slightly at each other and Zach tells Timothy that the only person Jeanne is likely to kill is him once she finds out what he’s done. Shaun looks at Timothy and tells him that if Donald can help that they would really appreciate it, that Jeanne has only seen him once that first Christmas and like he may have overheard she had totally forgot the kids birthday this year. Timothy frowns at this and asks them if they would like to come over for dinner, to see if Donald might be able to help them. Zach and Shaun share a brief glance and Zach shakes his head in the affirmative and they both look to Timothy and agree that it would be a good idea. Timothy asks them if they would be okay coming over to his and Donald’s house so that they could keep Cody occupied in another room while they talked about things. Zach and Shaun both smile at this, surprised at the thoughtfulness of this man that they had just met, and Shaun tells them that they would be honored to come over that they appreciate any help they can get.
Timothy pulls out one of his cards and writes their address on the back as well as his cell number. He hands it to Shaun and tells him that they’ll see them all about 7 if that’s okay. They both agree that 7 sounds great and shake Timothy’s hand as he picks up his book and heads out the door. Zach moves over to Shaun and hugs him tightly as Cody runs up and hits them both around the legs nearly knocking them over. They both chuckle and Zach brushes a quick kiss on Shaun’s lips as he grabs Cody’s hand and Shaun slings his arm over Zach’s shoulders as they head next door for lunch.
Over lunch they try and keep the talk light in deference to Cody’s presence and they tell Cody that they are going to go to dinner at a new friend’s house tonight and should be heading out to New York City on Monday. Cody perks up at this as he starts planning out what he wants to do while they are there. Zach and Shaun share a smile over the table as Cody continues to plan out the few days they have set aside in New York before they head back home.
Meanwhile across town Timothy has pulled into the parking lot of Donald’s office. He gets out of his car and headed up to the office and stepped in to Donald’s office. He smiles as he saw his partner’s feet up on his desk as he read the latest Advocate while sipping a cup of coffee. Timothy closes the door as Donald sets down the paper and rises from his chair, and heads over to embrace Timothy. Donald pulls back and asks Timothy if anything is wrong, surprised to see him at his office during the day. Timothy shakes his head in the negative and then tells him that they are having guests for dinner and that he may have found him some new clients. Donald asks him to sit down and explain what is going on and Timothy does and proceeds to tell Donald what he knows and why Timothy thinks that Donald can help them. Donald sighs and tells Timothy he’ll see what he can do but he isn’t sure what good he can do considering the situation. Timothy returns the sigh and tells Donald he understands but if he could just see the three of them together, there is no way that Cody belongs anywhere else. Timothy stands up and kisses Donald goodbye saying he needs to head to the store so he can actually cook dinner for their guests.
Promptly at seven there is a knock at the door and Timothy asks Donald to get that so he can keep an eye on dinner. Donald smiles as he heads to the door, he knows how anal Timothy is about his cooking and he opens the door to see two very handsome men and an adorable child standing and looking at him. He reaches out and introduces himself to first Shaun, then Zach and then leans down to shake Cody’s hand as well and this draws a smile and giggle from the little boy. Donald ushers them in the house leading them to the kitchen and dinner. Timothy smiles as he sees their guests following Donald into the kitchen and goes over to welcome them. He tells them dinner is almost ready and there are some appetizers out on the buffet if they would like something to nibble on while they wait. Donald walks over to the buffet and starts helping himself and their guests soon follow suit. They make small talk while Timothy finishes dinner and finally Timothy announces that dinner is served and they all sit down as Timothy sets out the dishes.
As everyone starts digging in Timothy jumps up realizing he has forgotten the special meal he made just for Cody, he had asked Shaun when he had called earlier to see if they needed to bring anything. The smile Cody gives him when he sets the hot dogs and macaroni and cheese he made is worth the extra work he put into that dish. Zach and Shaun share a smile across the table at their hosts generosity and thoughtfulness. After dinner is complete and Zach and Shaun have helped clean up the dishes as Timothy leads Cody into the spare room so he can watch a movie while they talk about the reason that Zach and Shaun are really there. Once everything is settled they all head into the den with martini’s and get down to business as Donald gets out his tape recorder so he can make sure not to miss any information that could prove important later.
Donald looks at Zach and asks him to begin and so Zach tells him everything about Jeanne and how she was with Cody, about how he is the one who raised Cody and about when Jeanne left to move to Portland to be with her new boyfriend who “didn’t do kids” as Jeanne had put it. Donald makes a few notes while the tape recorder captures the whole depressing and repulsive tale, he thinks to himself how in the hell can someone bring a child into this world and treat it like Jeanne has treated Cody. Once Zach has run out of steam Donald turns to Shaun and asks him if he has anything to add. Shaun doesn’t add much except his own observations and one phone call he had received from Jeanne right after he and Zach had taken Cody into their home, basically saying that she was glad that Shaun was there for Zach and Cody, that they could take much better care of him than she could. Zach looks over at Shaun surprised by this as Shaun had never told him this before. Donald asks Shaun if he happens to still have the message saved on his phone and Shaun smiles and tells him he actually saved a copy on an external drive and he had also forwarded it to his email. At this news Donald smiles at the pair and asks Shaun to forward him the email with the recording and also he needs copies of any emails or correspondences between Jeanne and them. They both agree to send Donald whatever he needs including all information they have about Jeanne’s current location and information.
They smile and agree as they stand and get ready to leave as Zach goes to get Cody with Timothy Shaun pulls Donald aside and they discuss rates and such and Shaun asks Donald to be as through as he can, that they can’t lose Cody to that woman no matter what. Donald nods and asks them if they have a lawyer yet and Shaun shakes his head no but lets him know that they will get it taken care of as soon as they get home. Donald tells him he will clear his calendar for the next couple of weeks and will head down to Portland and get started. They are shaking hands as Zach comes down the stairs with a sleeping Cody. Donald opens the door for them and he and Timothy watch as they walk down to the car and get a still groggy Cody into the car and head out. Donald closes the door with a sigh and turns to embrace Timothy as a gentle kiss is placed on his forehead.
They head upstairs for bed and as they crawl between the sheets Donald moves to pull Timothy into an embrace and they kiss tenderly and drift off to sleep, both to overwhelmed with what Donald’s new clients are having to deal with. Across town is almost a similar situation with Shaun getting Cody settled into bed and then going into the room where Zach has already crawled into bed laying on his back with his hands behind his head. Shaun undresses and crawls in next to him and once he is settled he feels Zach roll over and settle into him. Shaun can feel Zach tremble and there is a sudden wetness seeping into his shirt and he realizes that Zach is crying. He lifts Zach’s face gently kissing the tears away and he whispers pulling Zach in tightly that he is going to do everything in his power to make sure that Cody stays with them, where he belongs. Zach sighs and looks into Shaun’s eyes a sad smile on his face and he whispers that he hopes Shaun is right. Shaun pulls him in even closer and they both drift into an exhausted sleep.
The next three days are a blur for Zach and Shaun as they take Cody all over New York City from the Statue of Liberty, to the Empire State Building and even to a Broadway show. Meanwhile Donald has cleared his schedule and has flown down to Oregon to get started on this investigation. He is surprised by the lifestyle this woman has, he thinks to himself. How is she going to raise an 8 year old when she is out partying every chance she can get and working at a 24 hour diner? And this Allen, her boyfriend well needless to say he is not a one woman kind of guy so he decides to follow him when he can to see what more he can find out about this man that could possibly be in Cody’s future.
Zach Cody and Shaun are finally home and getting settled in when Zach gets a phone call from Jeanne. She wants to talk to Cody and reluctantly he hands Cody the phone asking her before he does not to mention what they talked about a few days before. Of course Jeanne being Jeanne she completely ignores his request and asks Cody if he is ready to come home, Cody looks at Zach confused and asks her what she means. She tells him that she wants him to come live with her and Allen and to be a family. He is silent as she keeps going on about how much fun they are going to have and then she asks him if Zach has told him she called a few days ago and told him that she wanted Cody to come and live with her. Cody looks at Zach with tears in his eyes as he throws the phone down and runs to his room slamming the door. Zach picks up the phone and hangs up to a laughing Jeanne on the other end knowing that she got exactly what she wanted, to get Cody upset with Zach so it would be easier for her to worm her way back into his life. Zach and Shaun look at each other and head towards Cody’s room and they knock before opening the door asking him if they can come in. Cody yells a choked no and Shaun asks if he can come in and explain. Cody doesn’t respond so Shaun opens the door slowly and heads in. After a few minutes Shaun opens the door and pulls Zach inside and they sit down on Cody’s bed and Shaun tells Zach that Cody needs to know what is going on. Zach explains to Cody in the best way he can what happened a few days ago and that they didn’t want to worry Cody unnecessarily and that is why they hadn’t said anything. They also told him that they had hired Donald to help them prove that Cody should stay right where he is. Cody launches himself at Zach knocking them both off the bed. He tells them both that he knows where he belongs and it is right here, that this is home and Jeanne can go jump in a lake, that he isn’t going to live with her. Zach gets to his feet with some assistance from Shaun and they look at Cody and they tell him that they agree, that they are a family and they will do anything to protect it.
Shaun goes into the hall and calls Larry and fills him in on what is going on and Larry assures him if need be he will get them the best lawyer he can find to make sure Jeanne doesn’t wreck their family. Shaun thanks Larry as he hangs up and feels Zach’s arms wrap around his waist as Zach spins him around and places a huge kiss on his lover’s mouth. Shaun pulls away with a questioning look, and Zach tells him that the doesn’t even notice that he called Larry dad, that in all the time Zach has known Shaun he has never called Larry his dad. Shaun spins and looks at him and replies that he didn’t even realize that he had said it. Zach heads over to the phone to order pizza for dinner and Cody comes out of his room after washing off his face and he and Shaun sit down to watch the episodes of Torchwood and Doctor Who that they had missed while they had been gone. As soon as he hangs up the phone it rings and he answers it reluctantly hoping that it isn’t Jeanne again and is relieved to hear Donald’s voice on the other end. Donald gives him a brief update on what he has seen so far and it sounds to Zach like nothing has changed, that Jeanne is still being the selfish bitch she has always been. Bolstered by the news he thanks Donald as Donald tells him he will continue digging, that there has to be some reason that she is doing this now. Zach thanks Donald again and they both hang up.