Chapter 2

"Frankie?" Bobby cried weakly, and he could feel himself trembling.

Shhh Bobby, he's still here. If he finds us, he'll kill us. Keep your mouth shut! Don't you make a sound, Bobby!

Goren's body clenched in fear, but he didn't move, he didn't cry or moan. He was barely even breathing.

Bobby, Bobby, he's gone. It's okay now. Bobby, wake up, he's gone. He ran out of booze, and he left to get some.

"Frankie? Frankie, it hurts. I'm hurt."

I know, buddy. I'll… I'm gonna take care of you. I'll take care of you, Bobby. Can you move? Can you crawl out of there?

At the prompt of his brother's voice, Bobby tried to crawl, but a white-hot pain shot up his spine and everything went black.

Bobby, wake up, man!

He managed a quiet groan.

Good, you're all right… Bobby, buddy, we have to get help. Nobody can see us over here. You have to make some noise and get us some help. You see those lights? They're looking for you. You have to get the lights to come this way.

"Help," Bobby whined, but his voice was weak. His suit coat was twisted under him, and his cuffed hands were just above his eye level. He tried wiggling his fingers, and then moving his hands. Bobby stretched out his fingers and found some sticks. He grasped a stick between his fingers and worked it back slowly until it was in his hand. Then he summoned his strength and snapped it. A light bobbled and moved his way. "Help," he called again.

That's it, that's good, Bobby. You're bringing them closer. Make some noise, Bobby, get them over here. We need to get some help.

As he explored in front of him with his hands again, he touched a bump in the fabric of his coat. It was the wrist light, tucked inside his coat pocket.

Great idea, Bobby! Get the light, turn it on! You'll have help in no time! You can do it, Bobby, get the light!

Goren tried and tried to work the light out of his twisted pocket, but it was very hard to do. He closed his eyes to rest.

No, Bobby, you're so close! You gotta try again, you can do it, buddy, I know you can.

"You do it, Frank," he whispered, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep.

I would if I could, Bobby, but I can't reach it. You've gotta do it, little brother. You've gotta get us help.

With a weak groan, Bobby opened his eyes and tried again. This time, he got hold of the light. He managed to yank it clear of the coat. With trembling fingers, he pushed the switch. He yelped and groaned in pain, and then lost consciousness again.

"What's that?!" called an officer. He turned and ran toward the source of the light. There, under a heap of broken tree branches, he saw a man. The officer shouted back at the others, "I found him! I've got him! Over here!"

A team of EMTs immobilized him on a backboard with a neckbrace and a strap over his head. They called some officers over to help and a small group of rescue workers carried Goren up the hill and tucked him into an ambulance.

"Frankie?" he whispered, but the team was too busy caring for him to make sense of what he said.

"Frankie?" Bobby asked. "Where's Frank?"

Alex moved closer and took his hand in hers.

He turned his head slightly and opened his eyes just enough to see her. His face screwed up in confusion. "Eames… where's Frank?"

Alex was stunned. It had to be his concussion. Still, she couldn't tell him the truth, not in his condition. "It's okay, Bobby. You're in a hospital now."

"But where's Frank?"

"He's not here. He said you should relax, okay?"

"Hurts, Eames."

"I know, Bobby. You're gonna be okay, though. You're okay."

Eames stayed by him that first night, popping pain relievers to treat her own concussion and ignoring the advice of her Captain and her family to go home and rest properly.

The doctors all said it was a miracle he wasn't hurt worse. He was bruised badly, but only suffered a few broken ribs and the concussion. MacKearn had been killed in the accident. When the car had struck the guard rail it had nearly decapitated him. Bobby was clear of any responsibility. The evidence proved that MacKearn had been driving and Bobby's hands had been cuffed together when he was found, proof enough that he had been a hostage.

Bobby's shield was missing. His wallet had been found in what was left of the car. They were still searching for Eames' gun, as well. Alex sighed. Maybe the search for the gun would turn up Goren's shield.

She was worried about him. Every time he woke, he said something about Frank. Alex was starting to wonder if he would ever come back to his senses.

Bobby lay awake in the morning, blankly staring at the door of the room. He ignored the constant thudding pain in his body and simply stared.

"Bobby?" Eames said quietly. He heard her shift and felt her hand against his.

"Frank is dead," Bobby said simply. "There was blood, and… and then Rodgers and…"

"You remember."

"He was killed, Eames."

"Yeah," she said sadly.

"I thought he was with me… when… I couldn't have gotten out of there without him…"

"You turned on the flashlight, they saw you then."

"Frank told me to. I thought… Frank told me…"

Alex sighed. How was she supposed to help Bobby with this? "You have a concussion, Bobby. Don't expect anything to make sense."

"But Eames, I could feel him there! He's my brother! I mean, I know… I know that feeling!"

She sighed again. "Frank always took care of you as a kid, Bobby. Maybe… maybe that was what you needed after the accident."

"It was so real."

Alex frowned and squeezed his hand.