Note: In case it's not obvious: The first chapter plays on Friday, the second on Saturday, third on Sunday, and the fourth one is on Monday morning. Since we don't really know (and I doubt he's going back to NY every evening), I decided that Ryan's room in the hotel is across from Mike's. Set after 1x10

Disclaimer: Characters belong to The Following

I won't let you go

Chapter 1:

A few weeks were gone since he had been beaten up by Joe's people. Nothing really interesting happened since then. Ryan and Parker visited him every now and then, but they never stayed long or told him anything about the case. They just came to make sure he was ok. He couldn't blame them. There was nothing he could have done to help them to find Carroll and his followers while he was in the hospital. And when he was honest, he needed the little time out that was given to him to recharge his batteries, but the convalescence period was over soon. He would be officially released today and back at work on Monday.

The doctor paid a final courtesy visit and told Mike to take it slow at least in the first week. Mike just cracked a little smile. There was just no way he wouldn't do everything he could to help Ryan even if it meant coming back to the hospital quickly. Mike packed his bag and wondered if anyone would come and pick him up, but from the morning newspaper he already knew Carroll had found and taken Claire so he figured everyone was too busy solving the bureaucratic disaster at the moment. It wasn't ideal, but he understood - the job will always rank first.

He ambled down the hall. He never liked hospitals. They smelled weird and they made it terribly clear that no one is invulnerable no matter how well trained they were or how wealthy they are. With every step he came closer to the exit he wished someone would have taken the time to pick him up. He had this feeling of being watched again - being followed, and it freaked him out. His mind made up a couple of worst case scenarios, that quickened his heartbeat and letting him hurry to his car which was outside at the parking lot from the hospital." He felt like he was getting a panic attack.

He made it home to the hotel, somehow without causing a crash. Always watching his back, checking the license plate of every car around him and having his gun close at hand. He was convinced he should probably get a psychiatrist. He looked around before he got out of his car. No one was there, not one single person or car. It looked like everyone was at work. He got out of the car and walked quickly upstairs to his room, not without looking around, making sure no one was following him, the whole time.

When he reached his door he paused for a moment. He remembered what had happened last time. He had thought he would be safe inside but instead he found Charlie and Louise waiting for him when he turned around from the door. He suddenly couldn't move anymore, the memory paralyzed him and he started shaking even worst due to his panic attack getting worst, which lead to him dropping his keys. Before he could pick them up again, he could feel a hand on his shoulders and hear a familiar voice at the same time - preventing him from getting a heart attack at last. "Don't worry Mike, it's normal to be freaked out the first time after everything."

Ryan picked up Mike's keys and opened the door. The room was fully restored. Nothing reminded of the fight Mike had with Charlie and Louise before they took him down to the ship yard. Ryan closed the door behind them, while Mike put his bag on a chair and looked around. "If it's too much, I'm sure you can get another room ... or hotel. Everyone would understand." Mike shook his head. "Nah, it's alright. I have to live with it sooner or later right? Better start getting used to it before I have to get back to work on Monday." he looked over to Ryan, who was standing in front of the door, and gave him an encouraging smile.

It looked like Ryan felt bad for him, but it didn't bother Mike, he felt safe with Ryan around. His panic attack stopped the moment he felt Ryan's hand on his shoulder and heard his voice. So seeing a little pity in Ryan's eyes for the moment was something he could deal with, if it meant he would stay with him a little longer, before Ryan had to head back to work.

"Thank you. I know you have probably better things to do right now. More ...important things than looking after me." Ryan waved of one of his hands. For him Mike was being ridiculous. There was nothing more important for him, now that Claire was lost to Joe, and Tyson in the hospital, than making sure that Mike was safe and sound and not going anywhere he couldn't follow.

Ryan walked over to him, putting his hands on Mike's shoulders and looking him in the eyes. "You're just as important to me as Claire." he hold his thoughts for a moment, progressing what he just admitted. Was Mike really just as important to him as Claire? He loved Claire, he probably always did and will, but the thought of losing Mike again broke him just as much as Claire, and he would do everything to prevent it from happening ever again. Not to forget work wasn't the same without him being around. Ryan couldn't concentrate without Mike there. He easily lost his thoughts when he saw a picture of Claire or got reminded of what happened to Mike, and now also Tyson.

"They got her and you're right. The BAU is getting nuts and everyone there is working twice as much as before. But do you really think I will let you out of my sight again, knowing you wouldn't stay put even if I would beg you to do it?" Mike wanted to interrupt Ryan. Telling him it wasn't his fault that they had got him the last time or Claire now, but Ryan got there first. "I know it's not my fault Mike, but I can't help to think it is. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have gone home early that day... all by yourself." Ryan's grip on Mike's shoulders tightened when he remembered saving him in the nick of time. His eyes wandered to the ground for a moment and when they came back to face Mike's again they were slightly watery. "I won't let you go again Mike. I can't bear to lose you and almost dying again. I need you. I need you to finish this case with me. You're the only partner I have and the only one I want with me on this case. So don't you ever think you're not important enough to me again!"

Mike didn't know what to say - so he just nodded. Ryan looked at his watch and ruffled his hair while looking around. "I'm sorry, but I have to get back to work. If you need anything just call me ok?" Mike felt his panic slowly rising up again, but he wanted to be strong. Not just for Ryan but for himself. He needed to be - for both of them.

"Yeah, of course. Don't worry I'll be fine." Mike followed Ryan to the door and when Ryan stood outside he turned back to Mike one last time. "They told me to take the weekend off to process what happened with Claire and Tyson, to clear my head. If you need anything... don't hesitate to come to my room and talk to me." Mike nodded, when he saw how serious Ryan was about this. He was glad and thankful that Ryan worried so much about him, and he felt honored that Ryan had allowed him to help him in return. "You too. You know... telling me if you need something." Ryan cracked a smile and walked down the aisle. When he was out of Mike's sight, Mike closed his door and locked it.

The panic in him rose again, he started shaking slightly and his heartbeat went up again. He walked over to the window and saw Ryan pulling out of the parking space a few minutes later. He knew his mind was playing tricks on him, but he heard everything twice as loud without knowing where the sound came from at first or if there truly was something. "Only ten hours 'til he's off and back at the hotel, Mike. Don't freak out. No one's here and no one will come."