Disclaimer: Not mine, no profit made, blah, blah, blah..............

A/N- I know next to nothing about medical procedures, so either cut me some slack and go with the flow, or drop me a line, and tell me the go.

ALSO—I use the fanon applied first name of Brian for Rafe....

Chapter 3: What's Lucky?

"He's an incredibly lucky young man" the doctor had said, lucky.

Lying in the clinically white room, in the clinically white bed, under clinically white blankets, skin looking clinically white, with two IV's and a breathing assistance tube....well, Blair didn't look very lucky.

And then Jim took into consideration the fact that he was still breathing, albeit with assistance... yeah, Blair was incredibly lucky.

After almost four hours of waiting, with only Jims reassurance that he'd know if Blair were dead, the doctor had finally graced the men with his presence. Seeing the looks he was getting the first thing Dr Morland had done was to reassure them that Blair was alive, although very ill. Apparently Blair was running an incredibly high temperature, one that should, in all essence have killed him outright, a fact which still baffled those working on him. He also had a fractured tibia, a slight concussion and several infected lacerations and across his shoulders and down one side.

The doctor had asked "What happened to him?" to which the only reply the men had was "We don't know".

The doctor had gone on to tell them that with bed rest, and plenty of care Blair should make a full recovery, a fact that reassured the men to no end, until that is, the doctor rounded off his sentence with, "...if he wakes up....".

The doctor had then explained that the likelihood of Blair waking wasn't exactly favourable odds, and the likelihood of his mind being undamaged due to the high fever was practically nil.

Henri had wanted to go back to thinking about all the things Blair had done, experienced and enjoyed, rather than face the possibility that he may never do anything of the kind again.

Joel almost decided that waiting was better than known, and then realised that they were essentially still waiting...to know if Blair was still Blair. Knowing was definitely better.

Brian went to get candy from the machine, candy was good, safe.....and a way to avoid thinking about Blair, lying there small and hurt......perhaps never waking up...no candy was much better.

Simon hated this part of loving someone, and almost wished Blair wasn't like a son to him...almost.

Jim didn't think anything, didn't analyse it, expect the worst or expect the best, he had just said "We need to be with him..."

The doctor had nodded; he hated these conversations, almost more than telling a family that their loved one had died, because he never knew how to help them deal with this non-grief. This particular family, unconventional as they were, had quite the reputation within the hospital. Most of the staff knew them by name, a feat usually only accomplished by the regular drug overdose patients. There were also certain stipulations, rules and guidelines that were 'unofficially' in place when treating any member of the 6 men. Just little things, learnt from experience that made things go smoother, the main one being, Never, is anyone to ever, under any circumstances, separate Blair from the other five, in especially Jim. If in the event, it becomes necessary, and it shouldn't, have Simon on hand to deal with Jim, and decrease the separation distance as swiftly as possible. The Doctors liked the men and the Nurses particularly liked Blair, which made him a particularly difficult patient.

Dr Moreland had pointed down the hall, saying "Room 328, second door on the left" not even mentioning that it was not visiting hours or that only two could go in at a time, who knew how long this family had left together?

Which is how the five men came to be seated around Blair's bed, adequate chairs borrowed and absconded with. Jim had one small hand in his, and Joel the other. Simon had a large hand on one blanket covered knee.

Blair didn't even twitch.

Doctors came by twice a day to check vitals and progress always reporting the same, no changes. The men sat, waited, chatting to each other and Blair about non consequential things, but there was never any answer. On Monday Simon had been called back to work, along with Brian, Henri and Joel, Major crimes unable to cover the loss of five officers any longer, but when the men weren't on shift they were at the hospital, homes becoming dusty from lack of use.

Jim stayed with Blair, unwilling, indeed unable to leave, thankfully a fact that Simon understood.

It had been four days since Blair slipped into his coma, and the fever had broken, the fracture splinted and in a cast, the cuts bandaged. Physically he was improving, but there had been no activity on the mental front. It was just after lunch and Jim had eaten a deli sandwich which the lunch trolley lady had been kind enough to spare. Jim had just tossed the wrapper when Dr Morland made an unexpected visit, and Jim, used to seeing the doctor in the mornings and evenings only, jumped to his feet expecting bad news.

"Dr Moreland, what is it, Blair's not worse is he?" the doctor already knowing how Jim would perceive his visit answered "No Detective, Blair is still the same as this morning, I'm here about you" the doctor knew that the battle ahead would be tough, but he had the ace up his sleeve.

Jim, confused asked "Me? What about me, I'm fine..." the doctor shook his head at the stubbornness of the man. 'No Jim, you're not fine, you haven't slept in four days and you've barely eaten' the doctor explained, waiting for the expected reply.

Jim didn't disappoint, "I'm fine, I've had plenty to eat, I just had a sandwich, I need to stay here with Blair..." the detective looked fondly at the boy in the bed, and the doctor hated what he had to do. "Jim I'm sorry to do this, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave, I will get security and enforce visiting hours if you don't get a solid 8 hours sleep". Dr Moreland could already see the explosion forming and headed it off, knowing that what he said next would win the battle "Besides your no good to Blair if you collapse from lack of sleep."

The doctor watched as Jim visibly deflated, agreeing with a reluctant nod. "I'll be back in 8 hours, you'll call if anything....." at Dr Moreland's agreement, Jim grabbed his jacket and left. Dr Moreland knew that it probably wouldn't be 8 hours, but he'd take what was offered, in truth he would never have banned the man from the room...but what Jim didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

Dr Moreland did a visual sweep of his young patient, hoping he had done the right thing, before turning and leaving the room, returning to his other duties.

Which is why, when 40mins later, bright blue eyes appeared from beneath fluttering lids, there was no one to greet them.

Blair felt sunlight on his face, waking him with its gentle warmth, which was strange, because his bedroom usually didn't get a lot of sunlight. Maybe he'd fallen asleep on the couch again, but Jim would usually w.......

Then it all came back to him, in a rush of memories.

The test, the smoke, and the bashed leg. The missed phone call...the incredible heat...breaking the glass.....

And vaguely blurry memories of searing pain, light headedness, and being held....of Jim and Simon... Brian, Henri and Joel...... and looking around the only thing he noticed, was that he was alone.

He'd managed to do it again, Blair the diseased, the unwanted, the unlovable.

He stuffed it all up, ruined everything...destroyed everything he touched.....now, when he finally though he had a home and a family...he had to break their trust...again.

He didn't blame them...

But that didn't stop it from hurting.

Blue eyes, now not so bright closed once again, into an unnatural sleep, this one plagued by nightmares of a different kind. Eyes, usually kind, tolerant and loving, now unmasked, full of hate and disgust.

Simon signed the last sheet on his desk, and dropped his pen, already on his feet, reaching for his jacket. He locked his office door behind him and headed through the bullpen, to push the button and wait for the lift. A moment later he was joined by Henri, also pulling his jacket on. The lift stopped o the second floor and a vice officer and Brian got in. Vehicle garage, and the men Brian and Henri followed Simon to his car, where Joel was already waiting, ands as was the norm for every evening the past four days, Simon drove all four to the hospital to see Blair.

As was not the norm, they met up with Jim in the front lobby, surprised that someone had managed to prise him away from Blair, but happy that Jim looked at least a little more rested, all five made their way to room 328.

Jim, and Simon sat on either side of Blair's head, each taking a hand. The other three sat wherever they pleased, and Brian turned on the TV, although none could tell you what they were watching, they just appreciated the quiet background sound. Jim was asking about the day's work, and the men were filling him in, asking in return about Blair's day...if there had been any changes, too which Jim had to answer the negative.

It didn't matter though, they would continue to visit and support Blair, until he woke up. They wouldn't, couldn't abandon him. Faith was all they had, but for Blair, there was plenty t go round.

Simon knew that Blair would wake up when he was ready, but who knew when that might be...Blair didn't just march to his own beat, he had a whole band that followed him around.

Joel didn't think he could stand losing another he cared about, not Blair, who brought spark and happiness back into his own life, but he knew that it didn't matter how long it took, or what anyone else said or did, he wouldn't give up hope, he couldn't, for the other option was unthinkable.

Brian looked down at the small figure, pale against the covers, wreathed by chestnut curls, and hoped that dancing blue eyes and outrageous wit and intelligence would break the monotony soon

Henri was waiting for Blair to wake up, somehow he knew if Blair woke up everything would be okay, he wasn't sure why but he knew Blair would be able to explain it, just as soon as he woke up.

Jim knew Blair was loyal, kind, helpful, and smart, but the thing that had him convinced that Blair would wake up was because he wouldn't dare not to. Blair was much too stubborn to die, not when he knew Jim depended on him for his senses.

No, Blair would wake up, and everything would be okay.

Blair awakened slowly, unsure he actually wanted to be awake.

He didn't want to be alone, he knew he didn't deserve it, but he wanted Jim and Simon, and the rest of the guys...he needed them. He didn't have anyone else.

And then, as if his prays had been answered he felt them, and heard them.

"Nah, he's kill us for sure......you don't mess with the tresses" a deep voice from his knees spoke. That'd be Henri..H is here!

A voice from his right agreed with Henri "All those curls better be where they are right now when he wakes up, I have no qualms about pointing him in the right direction of the culprit, there's no way I'm getting caught in the cross fire..." And that's Bri....what are they doing here...I thought for sure.....

Blair's thoughts were cut off by a voice from near his feet, and a gentle pat to his left ankle "Anyone who wants to touch his hair will have to go through me....and Simon." What is Joel doing here too? After how stupid I was....they flew home early.......I was sure..... He was distracted again from laughter from right next to his head, deep booming chuckles "Volunteering me Joel...really, I thought you'd be able to deal with any threat to his hair by yourself....." Simon.....Blair was so speechless, he was thoughtless, absolutely gobsmacked...Simon of all people?

Joel replied, also laughing, although he was serious "You wouldn't be there to protect the hair or me; you'd be there to protect the culprit...once I got my hands on him..." Several more people tittered with laughter, although none would actually be attempting to give a haircut.

"I doubt anyone is going to have to protect Blair's hair form being cut while he's asleep....." a voice said, this one different.

This was voice was the one he had so hoped to hear, but had been almost positively sure he wouldn't, not after he broke their trust, again...JIM.

Brian was still laughing as he asked "Why's that Jim, you going to take up the shield?" Jim answered at the same time he stood to place one hand on either side of the small pale face, "Nope, anyone who dared to cut Blair's hair now, would have to be able to run faster than the energiser bunny himself....who's heartbeat going a hundred miles an hour would indicate that he has just woken up......wanna open those baby blues for me chief?"

Blair could feel the change in the room, it suddenly got quiet, several people got to their feet, crowding in a little, and hands touched his shoulders and hair, waiting. Blair himself was waiting, for the other shoe to drop, for this couldn't possibly be real, could it?

Jim was a little worried at Blair's unresponsiveness, but hopeful, tried again "Blair, you're okay...everything's okay...just open your eyes...." Jim knew that Simon had already pushed the nurse call button, but wished they would hurry up, he was starting to get really scared.

Blair could hear Jim asking him to open his eyes, but found that he really didn't want to. What if all he saw were hate, pity and anger. But upon hearing the note of fear enter the gentle voice, Blair knew he had no choice, and opened his eyes, blinking into the bright light.

Blue met blue, but before anything could be said, the Doctors and nurses shoed them out, wanting to check Blair, who in all reality should be dead, or seriously brain damaged.

Dr Moreland came out 20mins later, expecting to have to go to the waiting room, but instead found five worried but optimistic men in the hall. "Detectives...I don't know how it's possible, but with some TLC Blair should make a full recovery, I see no signs of brain damage.....although he is feeling a little doughy or woozy from the meds at the moment...." The men all broke out into beaming smiles; it seems they had averted disaster once again. "Thank-you for your care and consideration were we are concerned" Simon said, knowing the doctor had gone out of his way to make sure that the men had been allowed to visit whenever they could.

Doc Moreland just smiled, it wasn't often that a case such as this had such a happy outcome "Please, no thanks is necessary, the fact that Blair is well is thanks enough...you are all of course welcome to sit with him as long as you please...if all goes well he should be able to be released tomorrow morning, providing there are no relapses or complications and he has finished the final round of medication" Jim was already headed towards the room, sidling sideways during Dr Moreland's explanation, but he stopped at the Doctors next words "There is only one thing that may be cause for concern...Blair seems oddly...quiet...and if it were anyone but Blair I wouldn't worry....he's probably just tired.....perhaps he will open up to you lot......"seeing the five men looking longingly at the door the doc continued "...Oh go on...call if you need anything..." he had barely finished speaking and the men were gone.

As soon as Jim and the others had been assured out the room, Blair had wanted nothing more than to call after them, but despite what he had done to their trust, they had still come to see him, shouldn't that be enough. Surely he didn't need babysitting all the time.

That realization didn't stop the sigh of relief when they returned the room. Jim took his seat on Blair left and Simon on the right. Brian, Henri and Joel pulled their chairs closer. Joel was the first to speak...

"Welcome back Blair, you had us all a mite scared, but we knew you'd pull through." Joel smiled at the boy, knowing he was probably a little out of kilter, what with having slept for the past week or so. "That's right Hairboy, we knew you'd wake up, but we were getting sick of waiting after nearly a week, so Henri hear was going to cut your hair, that would have woken you up quicksmart..." the others laughed, but they also noticed that Blair didn't, although they were aware that Blair's eyes widened with the news that he had been out for a week.

"You're lucky you woke up when you did, Jim was starting to scare the nurses, if it wasn't your pretty face, I think they would have started avoiding this room, probably the whole hall just to be on the safe side" again the laughter wasn't shared by Blair.

Simon asked, hoping to get an answer "How are you feeling Blair, I bet your leg hurts and those cuts weren't very nice to look at, I bet they are not much better to wear." Blair just looked at the kind faces surrounding him, looking at him expectantly, and he just couldn't stand it...it was too much.

After what he had put these men through over the past few months, the not sleeping and not even being able to remember to eat, the constant worry and concern, even the rightful anger ...and they still came to his rescue, wanted to be near him, help him....why hadn't they just left when it got to hard or he wore out his usefulness like all the other people in his life, even his own mother...there was something about him that made people want to hurt him, to abandon him...and although he tried to avoid it, he knew it would happen and he knew how to deal.

What he didn't know how to deal with was this constant help, kindness and loyalty.

The continual love.

"Blair...?" It was a gentle voice, but demanding in its insistence. Jim.

Blair turned to see the hopeful, happy light blue eyes, those of the one man who had been there for him, more than any other person he knew.

"I'm sorry..." was all he said before turbulent dark blue eyes closed, refusing to open again.

A/N--Another Chapter...if you like please do me a favour and let me know, for the click of a button and 30 seconds of your day absolutely makes mine! Please review.

More incoming...will arrive in the next wave of inititive.