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Daren had worked with damaged children long enough that he knew the signs. the slight hitch in Tim's breath, the tightening of his hand on the controller, the way he was focusing too hard to actually be focusing. Daren gripped his steering wheel with one hand and placed the other on Tim's back, rubbing it soothingly. it had been something about Halloween that had triggered him. Jason would most likely be working that night, Halloween was always rough for cops and hospitals, so Tim would probably be alone. or forced to go to some party with Andy. "got any plans for the night? i was going to sit at home and watch crappy old movies, you are welcome to join me if you want."

Daren nodded, "yeah, i understand." he remembered that there had been several disturbing costumes in Givens' house and Iroh had mentioned several videos where Tim was forced to dress up for Givens' 'guests'. he had a feeling that might be a part of why Tim was having a hard time, not to mention the party would most likely have costumes and girls wearing next to nothing. trigger city, that he thought to himself as he completed a circuit of the course. "You should attach dollars to your ears and be a buck'an'ear," he supplied helpfully. maybe if it was a cleaver play on words and not an actual costume, he would have an easier time of it. "you could also write book on your face and be Facebook. another one is carrying a sign that says 'Nudest on Strike'. i favor that one for the parties of people at the office, seems to go off well at least. i've a couple others if those don't strike your fancy."

Daren grinned back, "you should go buy a soft baby doll and attach it to your a**. then you'd be a baby sitter. if you are feeling really lazy, wear a white shirt and carry around markers to be a page from an autograph book." it was good that Tim was laughing, it meant he was viewing this in a better light and that was a good thing for all of them. maybe Daren could make Halloween something fun for the man, he hoped so, at least.

Daren rubbed the back of his head, "not sure you want the autograph of some old has been like me. but, if you really want, i can sign it for you." he was glad Tim was laughing, it was good to see. "come on, get control of yourself. we need to finish this race! let's see if you can beat us."

Daren 'drove' one handed and did significantly worse than he normaly did, not that he minded. he took sixth place, coming in right behind Tim. "alright, you win. so, do i give you a prize now or owe you a treat or something?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow at his friend. "i think i still have ice cream, you can have that as a reward." he had forgotten how comfortably Tim fit against his side. it just felt right but that feeling made him a little sick to his stomach. did it feel like that because he and Tim were close friends, or because he viewed Tim as his possession and that his 'rightful place' was at Daren's side where he could control him? he didn't want to think about it, but had a feeling that it was probably the latter. he was his father's son, after all.

Daren accepted the bowl and took a bite, the smooth cream making him smile. "works for me! i'll use any excuse to eat ice cream." he grinned and took another bite, "let's see, so we've got your Halloween costume figured out, anything else that you can think of? i need to get candy here soon before all the good stuff is sold out. should i get full candy bars or those mini ones do you think?"

Daren nodded, "that would work. i'm sure the kids would like that." he had been to several high schools, being switched from foster care to foster care. he was never at the same house for long, most of his 'parent's intimidated by him and not wanting to keep him around. his senior year he had staid at one house for the entire school year, the longest he'd been in one place since his mother's death, but the neglect and abuse had been so bad that he'd sent a representative the moment he became a cop and it had been instantly shut down. "me? going to be a washed out, former cop." he shrugged, "means i don't have to do much by way of dressing up. my other idea was a fairy, but i don't think a tutu and tights would suit me."