Without a Trace
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
13,281
Reviews:
231
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
28
Views:
13,281
Reviews:
231
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Aftermath
Author's note--*sigh* Okay, I've made my decision. I will turn this into a two-episoder type thingy...or something. But basically, I need to end this episode quickly so that we can move onto the special features from THIS episode, and then begin the next episode where the team tracks down Snape and Blaise and deals with everything that's happened.
If anyone has any suggestions for a better way to do this...I'm all ears. I've been puzzling over it ever since last night, and so I hope I'm doing it the best way, even if it feels like I'm not. *shrug*
**********
Without a Trace
AFTERMATH
Once at the hospital, Harry and Samantha were quickly relegated to pacing in the waiting room as the staff whisked Parker and Draco away. One nurse returned to obtain a quick overview of what, exactly, had happened to induce the hypothermia and a very brief medical history of the two; Harry obliged as much as possible, but he had no idea about Parker and as far as he knew, Draco ‘might have had poor circulation’ due to his pale complexion, but Harry didn’t know for sure. She thanked them and hurried back through the impenetrable doors of the Intensive Care Unit where the doctors and nurses worked quickly to bring Draco and Parker out of their current life-threatening condition.
Harry paced, unable to sit still, while Samantha went outside to call Ashleigh, buying a couple of cups of coffee and candy bars from the machine to take back upstairs. She informed Ashleigh of the situation, and Ashleigh sighed with relief at hearing they had Parker back. She had taken the girls back to her and Danny’s apartment, where they were asleep in the spare bedroom. Ashleigh asked Samantha to have HJ call her back right away; there was something he needed to know. Sam ran back to the waiting room, and Harry made a beeline for the nurses’ station so that he could talk to Ashleigh on the phone while remaining close by just in case there was an update on Draco.
“Ashleigh? Sam said you needed to talk to me?” his voice was ragged and tired. On the other end of the phone, Ashleigh winced inwardly.
“HJ, Ginny just called…” she waited, but his only response was silence. “She’s…she on her way to the airport. She’s flying back to England right now.” Harry blinked, not quite sure how to feel about that.
“Oh,” he finally stammered out, realizing that the woman on the other end of the line expected a response. “Okay. Well, thanks for telling me,” he finished lamely.
“That’s it? Aren’t you going to go after her?” Ashleigh tried (and failed) to keep the incredulity out of her voice.
“No. It’s her decision, and to tell you the truth, I’m relieved. Maybe we can finally admit that this joke of a marriage isn’t working out. I’m…I’m tired of trying to make it work, Ashleigh, and I…I just want to be happy,” Harry said, tears coming to his eyes not because Ginny was leaving but because Harry could almost taste the relief he felt, and he wanted so badly to believe that things would finally change. “Is that too much to ask?” He felt oddly reminiscent, asking that question to Dumbledore the year before he died, when Harry was insecure about whether he could live up to his destiny as Voldemort’s slayer.
“No, God, no, HJ! If anyone deserves to be happy, honey, it’s you. You’ve done so much for everyone around you, and you’re entitled to as much happiness as you can take!” Ashleigh hurried to reassure him. “If you’re sure about this, then I’m behind you one hundred percent, and I will represent you all the way to California and back with the legal stuff. And you know I love the girls as much as you do; I’ve got them tonight, so that’s one less thing off of your mind.”
Damn her! She always knew how to cut straight to the heart of the matter, and he put his hand over his face, trying to shield the tears that poured down his cheeks. Samantha looked up and saw her fellow agent’s shoulder’s shaking. She hurried over to him and put her hand on his back for comfort, alarmed. He shook his head, smiling through the tears; he thanked the woman on the other end of the phone and hung up.
“It finally happened, Sam,” he said softly. “Ginny left me.” Samantha smiled knowingly and rubbed HJ’s back.
“Put it in a box, HJ,” she advised. “Push it away until you can deal with it fully; we still have more obstacles before this case is completely closed.” Harry nodded, his tears stopping.
“I know…I’m not upset about…well, I am, but I’m not, you know?” he gave up trying to explain. “Draco is the most important thing right now.” Sam cocked her head, looking up at the taller man.
“I know you two have a history together,” she observed, watching HJ’s green eyes widen. She never had gotten the chance to question Draco about it, but someone would have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to notice that they obviously have feelings for each other. “And…well, I’ve been the ‘other woman’—so to speak—but it sounds like he was just as unhappy as you, and HJ, if he’s ‘the One’…don’t let him go.” Harry’s shock melted into relief that the secret was ‘out’ and that there wasn’t a big dramatic scene. He smiled gratefully before they were interrupted.
“Agents Spade and Potter? The doctor is ready for you,” a nurse informed them. They exchanged glances and nodded.
* * * * *
“Agent Spade, Agent Potter, pleased to meet you. I am Doctor Smith, the on-call doctor for tonight. I understand that you brought in the British father and son with hypothermia; is that correct?” Dr. Smith was a very tall man with a calm demeanor.
“Yes,” Samantha answered. “The little boy has also been…sexually abused, and we need you to do a full analysis, as well as send a sample of his DNA over to our Forensics lab.” Dr. Smith nodded, carefully considering her words.
“I understand, Agent Spade. However, today has been quite traumatic for the both of them, and while they are out of danger with the hypothermia, they are both asleep. It is my intention for them to remain as such until at least noon tomorrow, at which time we will allow them to awaken naturally. We need a parent’s consent for the rape kit analysis, so as soon as Mr. Malfoy signs it, we will proceed. I will have a sample of the child’s DNA to your lab first thing in the morning; no use waking him just to stick him with a needle, poor little guy,” Dr. Smith explained in a no-arguing tone of voice. “They are not going anywhere tonight, so I suggest you go home, get some sleep, and return at noon tomorrow. Good night.”
“Actually, Doctor, if it’s all the same to you, could I spend the night in his room?” Harry caught the doctor’s white coat before he walked away. Dr. Smith raised his eyebrows.
“I suppose not,” he acquiesced. “Mr. Malfoy is currently in a double room with no roommate, and it has a couch. However, in order for it to remain private, it will cost extra.”
“Whatever it costs,” Harry agreed. He and the doctor shook hands, and Dr. Smith took his leave to inform the nurses of the new arrangement. Harry turned to Samantha.
“Good idea, HJ. We need someone here just in case something goes wrong, especially to protect them. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything with Vivian. You get some rest, okay? Good night,” Samantha patted his arm. He nodded and snagged a nurse to show him where Draco’s room was. Once there, he paused by Draco’s bedside, heaving a sigh at the blonde beauty sleeping peacefully. He leaned down and brushed his lips over Draco’s forehead, smoothing his hair as he did so.
“Good night, love. I’m protecting you,” Harry whispered, and Draco shifted in his sleep, sighing contentedly without waking. Harry looked down at Parker and ran a soft hand over Parker’s baby-fine, pale blonde locks. He went and laid down on the other bed, curled onto his side looking at Draco. He was between them and the door, which was good, and he watched Draco from across the room until his eyes became so heavy that he finally slept.
* * * * *
On the boat, Samantha had given the car keys to Martin, and he and Elena headed back to the office. Martin’s cell phone rang. It was Vivian, calling to say that everything at the docks had been cleaned up and documented. Jack was on his way home for the night, as were Danny and Samantha, and if Martin and Elena wanted to go home and get some rest, because Parker was safe, now might be a good time before they began their search for the co-conspirators. The two FBI agents agreed. Martin went up and escorted (one, then the other) both Pansy and Narcissa into holding cells for the night. Both women screamed obscenities at him, Pansy in particular, but Martin couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew more than she was telling. The entire team got to bed in their respective apartments, replenishing their energy to fight tomorrow’s battles.
**********
Author's note--Alright, I hope this "end of episode" was okay for you...I don't know how I feel about it at present. I shall have to re-evaluate at another time.
HPDMkawii--aw crap! I love kittens, so YES, that works! (and just for that...I'll be posting some deleted scenes once I finish this chapter!)
thrnbrooke--Yes, Parker's okay...sleeping peacefully...though, who knows what tomorrow will bring!
lissagal99--Oh good! (Finally, a non-cliffie for SOMEONE! haha) Yeah, I have no recollection what I learned in the CPR training about how many are supposed to be done (hence why I'm not currently certified lol) but I just went with what Wikipedia said. Thanks for your review!
WeasleyWench--Thanks for your kind words! Yes, the make-up sex will be hot (but not tonight...Draco's not *quite* up to form yet...) Rock on for the chest compressions thingy! lol
Danine--Thanks! Yeah, I liked that too, but honestly right now, Harry's so exhausted (and rightly so) plus Draco's not ready yet, so just a quick kiss good night for them (at this point in time!)
Night--You're welcome. :) We will see an extra scene of Ginny next...which I will also post tonight since the "wrap up" chapter was so short (damn, I hate those hour-time-limits on shows! lol) The "New Year's Eve" thing will be partially explained by Ginny (as much as she knows...which isn't much) but once Harry and Draco get to talk (ie tomorrow!) then the truth will out...
Harry, give up? (On Draco? NEVER!) ha But just so we're square, Draco HADN'T taught Parker to swim, which was one of the reasons he was panicking. Parker can't swim AND is bound hand and foot, tossed into the ocean. Recipe for disaster if I ever saw one, but it's all good now.
*blink* Yes, there are drying charms, but Harry is still in the habit of avoiding magic, not trying to use it at every turn. (Besides, where's the fun in undressing Draco if Harry can spell him dry? *wink*) And...it's not so much that Harry's "forgetful" of his magic, per se...but he HAS been avoiding it for six years, and that's a long time. Thanks again for reviewing!
Star55--I think you might have spoken too soon...lol I'm not sure how happy I am with this particular ending, but it'll have to do for now. BUT in order to make up for the anti-climactic "end of episode" stay tuned for an "extra" track! Thanks...if you don't think so after the next couple of chapters, I don't blame you (just so you know)
EmeraldGrey--Yeah, I went to dinner (by myself in The Hague) and ordered a couple of drinks with pasta (yum!). After I ate, while I was sobering up enough to walk back to the hotel, I had a flash of inspiration for how I wanted those scenes to play out, so I grabbed a pen and paper and made, again-surprisingly coherent, notes. I took that back to the hotel and proceeded to flesh it out (while inebriated). *shrug* Here is FINALLY a chapter with no cliffie!!! (I know, it's not OVER, but at least there's no cliffie, right?) Thank you!
Snarry-lover--Thank you so much for your kind words. I understand completely about Spaulding, and I'm glad it's been educational! lol
Jan--Thanks! (Chapter a night WOO) This one's a double update, so enjoy!
Draca--haha Even though I'm so freaking tired right now, I had just enough energy to laugh at your review. Thanks! Yeah, I figured out what to do with Ginny (which you'll see in a moment) and YAY for food!
Shananigans--Welcome!! Thanks for taking the time to review! YAY I hope you enjoy watching WOaT! I think you're thinking of "Cold Case"...I've only watched a couple of episodes of that...whereas I have Seasons 1-3 of WOaT on DVD lol But thank you for your confidence in my writing ability! I hope you'll come back, because there WILL be more!
Again, just want to reiterate that even though this is the end of the mostly-made-for-TV episode, the "extras" will be along shortly, and then we can jump into the next episode of what's going to happen! Thanks to everyone who has stuck around thus far, and...keep sticking around (even if this chapter wasn't the greatest...I know it wasn't, IMO, but it'll get better again!)
If anyone has any suggestions for a better way to do this...I'm all ears. I've been puzzling over it ever since last night, and so I hope I'm doing it the best way, even if it feels like I'm not. *shrug*
**********
Without a Trace
AFTERMATH
Once at the hospital, Harry and Samantha were quickly relegated to pacing in the waiting room as the staff whisked Parker and Draco away. One nurse returned to obtain a quick overview of what, exactly, had happened to induce the hypothermia and a very brief medical history of the two; Harry obliged as much as possible, but he had no idea about Parker and as far as he knew, Draco ‘might have had poor circulation’ due to his pale complexion, but Harry didn’t know for sure. She thanked them and hurried back through the impenetrable doors of the Intensive Care Unit where the doctors and nurses worked quickly to bring Draco and Parker out of their current life-threatening condition.
Harry paced, unable to sit still, while Samantha went outside to call Ashleigh, buying a couple of cups of coffee and candy bars from the machine to take back upstairs. She informed Ashleigh of the situation, and Ashleigh sighed with relief at hearing they had Parker back. She had taken the girls back to her and Danny’s apartment, where they were asleep in the spare bedroom. Ashleigh asked Samantha to have HJ call her back right away; there was something he needed to know. Sam ran back to the waiting room, and Harry made a beeline for the nurses’ station so that he could talk to Ashleigh on the phone while remaining close by just in case there was an update on Draco.
“Ashleigh? Sam said you needed to talk to me?” his voice was ragged and tired. On the other end of the phone, Ashleigh winced inwardly.
“HJ, Ginny just called…” she waited, but his only response was silence. “She’s…she on her way to the airport. She’s flying back to England right now.” Harry blinked, not quite sure how to feel about that.
“Oh,” he finally stammered out, realizing that the woman on the other end of the line expected a response. “Okay. Well, thanks for telling me,” he finished lamely.
“That’s it? Aren’t you going to go after her?” Ashleigh tried (and failed) to keep the incredulity out of her voice.
“No. It’s her decision, and to tell you the truth, I’m relieved. Maybe we can finally admit that this joke of a marriage isn’t working out. I’m…I’m tired of trying to make it work, Ashleigh, and I…I just want to be happy,” Harry said, tears coming to his eyes not because Ginny was leaving but because Harry could almost taste the relief he felt, and he wanted so badly to believe that things would finally change. “Is that too much to ask?” He felt oddly reminiscent, asking that question to Dumbledore the year before he died, when Harry was insecure about whether he could live up to his destiny as Voldemort’s slayer.
“No, God, no, HJ! If anyone deserves to be happy, honey, it’s you. You’ve done so much for everyone around you, and you’re entitled to as much happiness as you can take!” Ashleigh hurried to reassure him. “If you’re sure about this, then I’m behind you one hundred percent, and I will represent you all the way to California and back with the legal stuff. And you know I love the girls as much as you do; I’ve got them tonight, so that’s one less thing off of your mind.”
Damn her! She always knew how to cut straight to the heart of the matter, and he put his hand over his face, trying to shield the tears that poured down his cheeks. Samantha looked up and saw her fellow agent’s shoulder’s shaking. She hurried over to him and put her hand on his back for comfort, alarmed. He shook his head, smiling through the tears; he thanked the woman on the other end of the phone and hung up.
“It finally happened, Sam,” he said softly. “Ginny left me.” Samantha smiled knowingly and rubbed HJ’s back.
“Put it in a box, HJ,” she advised. “Push it away until you can deal with it fully; we still have more obstacles before this case is completely closed.” Harry nodded, his tears stopping.
“I know…I’m not upset about…well, I am, but I’m not, you know?” he gave up trying to explain. “Draco is the most important thing right now.” Sam cocked her head, looking up at the taller man.
“I know you two have a history together,” she observed, watching HJ’s green eyes widen. She never had gotten the chance to question Draco about it, but someone would have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to notice that they obviously have feelings for each other. “And…well, I’ve been the ‘other woman’—so to speak—but it sounds like he was just as unhappy as you, and HJ, if he’s ‘the One’…don’t let him go.” Harry’s shock melted into relief that the secret was ‘out’ and that there wasn’t a big dramatic scene. He smiled gratefully before they were interrupted.
“Agents Spade and Potter? The doctor is ready for you,” a nurse informed them. They exchanged glances and nodded.
* * * * *
“Agent Spade, Agent Potter, pleased to meet you. I am Doctor Smith, the on-call doctor for tonight. I understand that you brought in the British father and son with hypothermia; is that correct?” Dr. Smith was a very tall man with a calm demeanor.
“Yes,” Samantha answered. “The little boy has also been…sexually abused, and we need you to do a full analysis, as well as send a sample of his DNA over to our Forensics lab.” Dr. Smith nodded, carefully considering her words.
“I understand, Agent Spade. However, today has been quite traumatic for the both of them, and while they are out of danger with the hypothermia, they are both asleep. It is my intention for them to remain as such until at least noon tomorrow, at which time we will allow them to awaken naturally. We need a parent’s consent for the rape kit analysis, so as soon as Mr. Malfoy signs it, we will proceed. I will have a sample of the child’s DNA to your lab first thing in the morning; no use waking him just to stick him with a needle, poor little guy,” Dr. Smith explained in a no-arguing tone of voice. “They are not going anywhere tonight, so I suggest you go home, get some sleep, and return at noon tomorrow. Good night.”
“Actually, Doctor, if it’s all the same to you, could I spend the night in his room?” Harry caught the doctor’s white coat before he walked away. Dr. Smith raised his eyebrows.
“I suppose not,” he acquiesced. “Mr. Malfoy is currently in a double room with no roommate, and it has a couch. However, in order for it to remain private, it will cost extra.”
“Whatever it costs,” Harry agreed. He and the doctor shook hands, and Dr. Smith took his leave to inform the nurses of the new arrangement. Harry turned to Samantha.
“Good idea, HJ. We need someone here just in case something goes wrong, especially to protect them. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything with Vivian. You get some rest, okay? Good night,” Samantha patted his arm. He nodded and snagged a nurse to show him where Draco’s room was. Once there, he paused by Draco’s bedside, heaving a sigh at the blonde beauty sleeping peacefully. He leaned down and brushed his lips over Draco’s forehead, smoothing his hair as he did so.
“Good night, love. I’m protecting you,” Harry whispered, and Draco shifted in his sleep, sighing contentedly without waking. Harry looked down at Parker and ran a soft hand over Parker’s baby-fine, pale blonde locks. He went and laid down on the other bed, curled onto his side looking at Draco. He was between them and the door, which was good, and he watched Draco from across the room until his eyes became so heavy that he finally slept.
* * * * *
On the boat, Samantha had given the car keys to Martin, and he and Elena headed back to the office. Martin’s cell phone rang. It was Vivian, calling to say that everything at the docks had been cleaned up and documented. Jack was on his way home for the night, as were Danny and Samantha, and if Martin and Elena wanted to go home and get some rest, because Parker was safe, now might be a good time before they began their search for the co-conspirators. The two FBI agents agreed. Martin went up and escorted (one, then the other) both Pansy and Narcissa into holding cells for the night. Both women screamed obscenities at him, Pansy in particular, but Martin couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew more than she was telling. The entire team got to bed in their respective apartments, replenishing their energy to fight tomorrow’s battles.
**********
Author's note--Alright, I hope this "end of episode" was okay for you...I don't know how I feel about it at present. I shall have to re-evaluate at another time.
HPDMkawii--aw crap! I love kittens, so YES, that works! (and just for that...I'll be posting some deleted scenes once I finish this chapter!)
thrnbrooke--Yes, Parker's okay...sleeping peacefully...though, who knows what tomorrow will bring!
lissagal99--Oh good! (Finally, a non-cliffie for SOMEONE! haha) Yeah, I have no recollection what I learned in the CPR training about how many are supposed to be done (hence why I'm not currently certified lol) but I just went with what Wikipedia said. Thanks for your review!
WeasleyWench--Thanks for your kind words! Yes, the make-up sex will be hot (but not tonight...Draco's not *quite* up to form yet...) Rock on for the chest compressions thingy! lol
Danine--Thanks! Yeah, I liked that too, but honestly right now, Harry's so exhausted (and rightly so) plus Draco's not ready yet, so just a quick kiss good night for them (at this point in time!)
Night--You're welcome. :) We will see an extra scene of Ginny next...which I will also post tonight since the "wrap up" chapter was so short (damn, I hate those hour-time-limits on shows! lol) The "New Year's Eve" thing will be partially explained by Ginny (as much as she knows...which isn't much) but once Harry and Draco get to talk (ie tomorrow!) then the truth will out...
Harry, give up? (On Draco? NEVER!) ha But just so we're square, Draco HADN'T taught Parker to swim, which was one of the reasons he was panicking. Parker can't swim AND is bound hand and foot, tossed into the ocean. Recipe for disaster if I ever saw one, but it's all good now.
*blink* Yes, there are drying charms, but Harry is still in the habit of avoiding magic, not trying to use it at every turn. (Besides, where's the fun in undressing Draco if Harry can spell him dry? *wink*) And...it's not so much that Harry's "forgetful" of his magic, per se...but he HAS been avoiding it for six years, and that's a long time. Thanks again for reviewing!
Star55--I think you might have spoken too soon...lol I'm not sure how happy I am with this particular ending, but it'll have to do for now. BUT in order to make up for the anti-climactic "end of episode" stay tuned for an "extra" track! Thanks...if you don't think so after the next couple of chapters, I don't blame you (just so you know)
EmeraldGrey--Yeah, I went to dinner (by myself in The Hague) and ordered a couple of drinks with pasta (yum!). After I ate, while I was sobering up enough to walk back to the hotel, I had a flash of inspiration for how I wanted those scenes to play out, so I grabbed a pen and paper and made, again-surprisingly coherent, notes. I took that back to the hotel and proceeded to flesh it out (while inebriated). *shrug* Here is FINALLY a chapter with no cliffie!!! (I know, it's not OVER, but at least there's no cliffie, right?) Thank you!
Snarry-lover--Thank you so much for your kind words. I understand completely about Spaulding, and I'm glad it's been educational! lol
Jan--Thanks! (Chapter a night WOO) This one's a double update, so enjoy!
Draca--haha Even though I'm so freaking tired right now, I had just enough energy to laugh at your review. Thanks! Yeah, I figured out what to do with Ginny (which you'll see in a moment) and YAY for food!
Shananigans--Welcome!! Thanks for taking the time to review! YAY I hope you enjoy watching WOaT! I think you're thinking of "Cold Case"...I've only watched a couple of episodes of that...whereas I have Seasons 1-3 of WOaT on DVD lol But thank you for your confidence in my writing ability! I hope you'll come back, because there WILL be more!
Again, just want to reiterate that even though this is the end of the mostly-made-for-TV episode, the "extras" will be along shortly, and then we can jump into the next episode of what's going to happen! Thanks to everyone who has stuck around thus far, and...keep sticking around (even if this chapter wasn't the greatest...I know it wasn't, IMO, but it'll get better again!)