"No, no, no! We have to go this way. Please, bring the ladder?" Aziraphale said with haste as he looked at the car and Jonathan before he took off running without warning. He rushed over to the neighbours house and crouched near the bushes, trying to see if the car was in the driveway or there were people moving in the living room. Nothing. Thank God.
Aziraphale, a boy who had never once broken a rule, then walked into private property and started to unlock the gate of the back garden. He was on a mission.
"Could you tell me what we're doing here?" Despite hissing the question, Barty was carrying the ladder and following behind Aziraphale. Had to be other people. Other children. Jonathan was right. A soft touch still, just like Holden, eager to save the world. It wasn't as if he blamed him for that, he just worried about how to actually see this through. "This is breaking and entering, Aziraphale. We could just inform the police if you know something."
"They would hide it before the police came. Can you -- do you have a phone? For recording? I need someone else to see. Someone else to know." Aziraphale stood in the garden and the window he looked at was opened. Gideon kept his promise - good. He whistled loudly and waited.
Then a small boy came to the window, looking more than worse for wear, holding a baby in his arms precariously. "Hello, Elder Aziraphale." Gideon called down with a small wave. "Did you tell the policeman?" Gideon then looked at Barty.
"I'm already recording," Barty assured Aziraphale, pointing at his phone for a moment. And then he set up the ladder at the open window Aziraphale was looking at, freezing when he spotted the young boy and the baby. Fuck.
"That's..." Insane. It was absolutely insane. Barty didn't hesitate, he immediately made his way up the ladder before that kid could drop the baby. "I'm Aziraphale's brother. I'm safe."
He wasn't sure what else to say, but he held his arms out. "Can you give her to me? Then I'll come back up and get you." Because that boy looked as if he might pass out any moment now.
He glanced in the direction of the car. Damn. They'd have to inform the police, and quickly.
"We're not supposed to leave the house." Gideon said as he held the baby closer. He did look exhausted, he was burnt and bruised, his eyes were red and he was barely a slip of a child. The baby was doing just fine, in comparison. Gideon had made sure of it. "I don't want to go to jail... But I need water."
He was very thirsty. His legs wobbled and he tightened his grip on his baby. "She's little, you might drop her."
"Gideon, darling, please listen to my brother. He is your elder, isn't he?" Aziraphale tried as he watched with a wince, terrified that the boy would fall and hurt the baby. "Remember, we talk about it, you won't be in trouble. Your soul is pure."
"Promise?" Gideon asked Barty this time, looking very unsure.
"I promise you won't be in trouble," Barty said, not wanting to talk about souls or God or anything else that he'd rather set on fire right now. He gently took the baby from Gideon, remembering when he had held Aziraphale many, many years ago, feeling just as fiercely protective. "What's her name?" He smiled, trying to put the boy at ease. "I'll take her downstairs and give her to Aziraphale. Then I'll be back for you."
And then he really needed to get him some water, some food, so many things. They'd likely have to go to a hospital.
"She's called Eden but I call her Den." Gideon looked nervous as Barty held the baby but he nodded and let him take her. "She just learned to walk, she's very good and very humble." He nodded with determination and then let Barty go down with her, watching the whole time.
Aziraphale came over and immediately took the baby, holding her careful. "I tried before but they stopped me. I needed an adult..." Aziraphale looked very sheepish as he looked at Barty. "They've been there for months. The baby is new, I think it's the same mother? I'm not certain."
"Just hold her. You can carry her over to the car, Jonathan will take care of you. I'm getting the boy." Barty made sure that Aziraphale had the little girl securely, feeling a darkness at the pit of his stomach when he noticed that she was bruised. He moved away to go back up the ladder, then held his arms out for the little boy. "Come here, I'll carry you down. I know you are a good boy, I can see it. You'll be safe with me. You and Eden."
"She's my baby." Gideon informed Barty with determination as he walked up to the window and then looked at Barty with a small frown. The room behind him was bare with just a mattress on the floor and a bible next to it. Gideon climbed up to the windowsill and held onto Barty as the older man held him. He looked down and watched as Aziraphale hurried towards a car.
"Is that a policeman?" He didn't want the policemen to yell at him. "Aziraphale said he had to tell the police because the mean lady is a bad lady."
"I reckon she's not just mean. She's evil." Whoever that was, whoever had done this to these kids. Barty held Gideon against himself securely and then made his way down the ladder, making sure he wouldn't drop him. "It's not a policeman, but we will tell the police. But I will handle that. The police will know that you are a good boy and that your sister is a good girl."
And not sinful, evil or anything else. Damn. He let go of Gideon as they reached the ground, then grabbed a hold of the ladder. "I'll put that away and then we leave together. I have some water for you in the car."
"Okay. I can help you." Gideon walked alongside Barty with a slight limp, his feet still hurt from all the yard work. It was far too hot and the yard was very prickly. He was just glad that the baby didn't have to do yard work, she was too tiny to do that. She just tried to eat grass. "I haven't had water all day. I know I don't need it, I just want it but I really do want it."
Gideon walked into Aziraphale's garden and followed dutifully behind Barty in just his worn tank top and shorts. He had no shoes still.
"No, lad, you definitely do need water. You'll get do drink as much water as you want from now on." How old was this boy even? He was so malnourished that it was difficult to tell. Barty put the ladder back where he had taken it from, then he simply picked up the boy again. His feet looked horrendous.
He carried Gideon with him to the car, where he opened the door to the backseat and sat Gideon down next to Aziraphale, who was already seated and still holding the baby. He handed the bottle of water he always brought along - mostly because Tally never stayed hydrated - to Aziraphale. "Make sure the kids drink some."
With that done, he got into the passenger seat, finally ending the recording on his phone. He looked at Jonathan, unable to find the words to describe any of this. "I'm going to call Sam. And we should drive to your place before someone sees us."
"This is kidnapping a minor though... You know Gene will arrest me for it. Fuck. Why is there a baby? Fuck. Fucking hell." Jonathan put his head against the steering wheel, wondering if they should drive away or not. What was the better move? What was the right move? "Your fucking law firm better defend the ever loving shit out of me."
Aziraphale covered the babies ears from all the cursing and then unscrewed the cap and gave it to Gideon. The car was awkwardly silent as Gideon gulped down all the water, gasping once he was done.
Jon sighed and started up the car. "I don't even have a kids seat." He started to reverse from his parking spot. "They'd do me for that alone. Fucking thieving gypsy child napper."
"Then take them back to my place, Jon. I don't give a damn, but look at them!" He could not just leave them here, not knowing when - if ever - he'd have a chance like that again. "It's bound to be a controversial case, you can bet that Tally will want to take it on." All the more with Barty being involved. Tally would certainly enjoy dragging up some of his childhood trauma. Any chance to be an ass, Tally would always take it. It was good to be able to rely on some things.
"Mine or yours? Which is it? I need to know before I call Sam."
"Mine, we got more hands on deck there. Even our Tommy knows some first aid. If you live with Alfie, it's a requirement." Though he doubted Alfie was there. "Call Sam but ask him not to bring Gene. I don't want a fucking fight."
"Could... could you please not swear. There are minors present." Aziraphale tried very timidly as he bounced Eden and tried to distract her.
"Sorry, you God-fearing gasúr, but I ain't in the church. I curse all I bloody well please. I got three kids in my bloody car and none should be in this fucking state." Jonathan cursed as he pulled into the street and took off driving as quick as he could - at the speed limit. There was a baby and all.
"That's right. Go full Irish, than he won't understand enough to know you're cursing." Barty said it encouragingly and then he held his phone to his ear, having called Sam.
"Sam? It's me." Obviously. Now he felt he was stalling. This was a lot and not really the kind of vulnerability he liked to show, especially not to Sam. Whatever. "I'm about to ruin your weekend, darling. Can you meet me at Jonathan's place? Are you on duty or off?"
"You keep pushing this bogman and he's gonna go full fucking Gaeilge." Jonathan stubbornly complained as he pulled off the street and into the dual carriage. Only fifteen minutes left and he was able to properly sort this shit. Hopefully.
Sam picked up fast, as he always did. "You always do find a way to ruin my weekends." Oh yeah, definitely some baggage still there. "I'm off duty but I can be on. What's happened? Is anyone hurt? If it's something big, I'll have to phone in. Be honest."
"It's delicate. Look, come to Jonathan's house and I'll show you a video. Show you evidence. And then you can help me strategize, because you'll want this handled well." of course he would. He was a good cop. He was also someone who loved kids, oddly enough, given that he was awful with them most of the time. Unless he could just kick a ball around. But then, that was Sam and people in general. "It's concerning kids, Sam. How soon can you be there?"
"I'm going now. I'll be there in ten minutes. I'll look at my phone then. See you soon." Sam as always was to the point, efficient and hung up when he had to get into his car like the responsible driver he was.
Jonathan had to snort. "You two in a room? Fuck. That never ends well."
They'd either fuck or fight. And honestly, fighting was better. Fucking caused more problems. For both of them.
"It's going to be just fine. We're perfectly capable of rational thinking." Although, right now? he very rationally sent the video clip he had taken to Tally with the caption 'the crown vs mormons, are you ready?', so perhaps he wasn't entirely rational. At least he had not yet done any excessive cursing.
"We'll need to have evidence of their current state and all injuries before we treat them and then they need to eat and drink, probably sleep." All of them seemed exhausted. They were asleep or half asleep in the car right now. "I'll discuss it with Sam, but we'll probably have to get them to a hospital."
"We'll make it through, mate. We know we ain't done nothing wrong. We saved some kids today." Jonathan turned off from the dual carriage way and started towards his house, excited to just be back in his neighbourhood where everything was less white.
Aziraphale looked at his brother and his brother's odd friend with curiosity and then looked out of the window. It looked different here. Not in a bad way though. "I hope I don't get you into trouble. I couldn't very well tell you the situation, just in case they found the texts. I knew I had to do something. They're children."
"You did the right thing, sunshine." Now he just had to deliver on his promise of actually keeping the children safe. He didn't think they would take the kids back to their families, at the very least. He should be able to prevent that from happening. "I'm a lawyer now. I know how to keep you safe."
He promised it, wondering whether Aziraphale would have any conceivable idea what a lawyer was. Well, whatever. "For now we are going to Jonathan's house. He lives with his brothers and sister." Bill wasn't officially part of the family, but she might as well be. "Nobody will hurt you there."
"I am sure of it, yes. I was more worried about the children than anything. I could see poor Gideon doing garden work with no shoes and he was quite sunburnt. He did it for four weeks in a row. I watched him fall down from my window. There was no other option. And once he told me he had a baby, I was terrified. I tried to get them myself but I'm not as savvy as you. I got caught. Very fast." Aziraphale laughed in a self deprecating way.
Jon pulled up outside his place and parked up, not bothering to be perfect with the park job. He undid his seatbelt and looked at Barty. "I have to warn everyone else. You get the kids ready, yeah. Just come in."
Jon got out and left them to it while he jogged into the house. "HOLDEN! Something crazy happened. Crowley! You better know some fucking first aid, son!"
"Course I do," Crowley said, walking out of the living room with a frown, wondering whether Jonathan was hurt. He didn't look hurt, at least. "Are you all right?"
Holden walked out of his room, where he had been reading, frowning at his brother. Strange enough to see him awake so early on a Saturday, but just what could have happened? "What's going on, Jonny?" He glanced out the window, trying to spot the car.
Jonathan picked up his lighter and did the responsible thing he had to do at that moment. He lit himself a cigarette and took a deep inhale, blowing out his cheeks. "I just kidnapped three Mormon kids from a torture chamber with Barty and bloody Sam Tyler is on his way." Jonathan laughed and then gave Crowley a look. "Go and find any fucking drugs and hide my stash then come back here and help us out. And tell Tommy to stay in his room."
Jonathan looked at Holden and threw his arms out. "There's a wee little baby and a tyke with Barty's brother. We gotta get pictures before first aid, yeah? Then we need the copper before the ambulance. So take your time and brace yourself, mate. It's pretty shit."
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thearrangement2024-04-14 04:49 pm
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Aziraphale, a boy who had never once broken a rule, then walked into private property and started to unlock the gate of the back garden. He was on a mission.
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Then a small boy came to the window, looking more than worse for wear, holding a baby in his arms precariously. "Hello, Elder Aziraphale." Gideon called down with a small wave. "Did you tell the policeman?" Gideon then looked at Barty.
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"That's..." Insane. It was absolutely insane. Barty didn't hesitate, he immediately made his way up the ladder before that kid could drop the baby. "I'm Aziraphale's brother. I'm safe."
He wasn't sure what else to say, but he held his arms out. "Can you give her to me? Then I'll come back up and get you." Because that boy looked as if he might pass out any moment now.
He glanced in the direction of the car. Damn. They'd have to inform the police, and quickly.
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He was very thirsty. His legs wobbled and he tightened his grip on his baby. "She's little, you might drop her."
"Gideon, darling, please listen to my brother. He is your elder, isn't he?" Aziraphale tried as he watched with a wince, terrified that the boy would fall and hurt the baby. "Remember, we talk about it, you won't be in trouble. Your soul is pure."
"Promise?" Gideon asked Barty this time, looking very unsure.
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And then he really needed to get him some water, some food, so many things. They'd likely have to go to a hospital.
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Aziraphale came over and immediately took the baby, holding her careful. "I tried before but they stopped me. I needed an adult..." Aziraphale looked very sheepish as he looked at Barty. "They've been there for months. The baby is new, I think it's the same mother? I'm not certain."
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Saving Eden. There was some irony there.
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"Is that a policeman?" He didn't want the policemen to yell at him. "Aziraphale said he had to tell the police because the mean lady is a bad lady."
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And not sinful, evil or anything else. Damn. He let go of Gideon as they reached the ground, then grabbed a hold of the ladder. "I'll put that away and then we leave together. I have some water for you in the car."
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Gideon walked into Aziraphale's garden and followed dutifully behind Barty in just his worn tank top and shorts. He had no shoes still.
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He carried Gideon with him to the car, where he opened the door to the backseat and sat Gideon down next to Aziraphale, who was already seated and still holding the baby. He handed the bottle of water he always brought along - mostly because Tally never stayed hydrated - to Aziraphale. "Make sure the kids drink some."
With that done, he got into the passenger seat, finally ending the recording on his phone. He looked at Jonathan, unable to find the words to describe any of this. "I'm going to call Sam. And we should drive to your place before someone sees us."
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Aziraphale covered the babies ears from all the cursing and then unscrewed the cap and gave it to Gideon. The car was awkwardly silent as Gideon gulped down all the water, gasping once he was done.
Jon sighed and started up the car. "I don't even have a kids seat." He started to reverse from his parking spot. "They'd do me for that alone. Fucking thieving gypsy child napper."
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"Mine or yours? Which is it? I need to know before I call Sam."
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"Could... could you please not swear. There are minors present." Aziraphale tried very timidly as he bounced Eden and tried to distract her.
"Sorry, you God-fearing gasúr, but I ain't in the church. I curse all I bloody well please. I got three kids in my bloody car and none should be in this fucking state." Jonathan cursed as he pulled into the street and took off driving as quick as he could - at the speed limit. There was a baby and all.
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"Sam? It's me." Obviously. Now he felt he was stalling. This was a lot and not really the kind of vulnerability he liked to show, especially not to Sam. Whatever. "I'm about to ruin your weekend, darling. Can you meet me at Jonathan's place? Are you on duty or off?"
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Sam picked up fast, as he always did. "You always do find a way to ruin my weekends." Oh yeah, definitely some baggage still there. "I'm off duty but I can be on. What's happened? Is anyone hurt? If it's something big, I'll have to phone in. Be honest."
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Jonathan had to snort. "You two in a room? Fuck. That never ends well."
They'd either fuck or fight. And honestly, fighting was better. Fucking caused more problems. For both of them.
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"We'll need to have evidence of their current state and all injuries before we treat them and then they need to eat and drink, probably sleep." All of them seemed exhausted. They were asleep or half asleep in the car right now. "I'll discuss it with Sam, but we'll probably have to get them to a hospital."
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Aziraphale looked at his brother and his brother's odd friend with curiosity and then looked out of the window. It looked different here. Not in a bad way though. "I hope I don't get you into trouble. I couldn't very well tell you the situation, just in case they found the texts. I knew I had to do something. They're children."
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He promised it, wondering whether Aziraphale would have any conceivable idea what a lawyer was. Well, whatever. "For now we are going to Jonathan's house. He lives with his brothers and sister." Bill wasn't officially part of the family, but she might as well be. "Nobody will hurt you there."
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Jon pulled up outside his place and parked up, not bothering to be perfect with the park job. He undid his seatbelt and looked at Barty. "I have to warn everyone else. You get the kids ready, yeah. Just come in."
Jon got out and left them to it while he jogged into the house. "HOLDEN! Something crazy happened. Crowley! You better know some fucking first aid, son!"
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Holden walked out of his room, where he had been reading, frowning at his brother. Strange enough to see him awake so early on a Saturday, but just what could have happened? "What's going on, Jonny?" He glanced out the window, trying to spot the car.
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Jonathan looked at Holden and threw his arms out. "There's a wee little baby and a tyke with Barty's brother. We gotta get pictures before first aid, yeah? Then we need the copper before the ambulance. So take your time and brace yourself, mate. It's pretty shit."
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