Dr. Fisch called Lauren over, as she was about to enter Lt. Caine's room. "They're bringing Detective Caine into his room right now. I want you to focus more of your attention on him. I'm going to have another nurse help you with Lt. Caine."
"Okay, just come and get me when everything is all set."
"Dr. Campbell will. I have an emergency call to attend to… thanks Lauren," she said as she ran off down the hallway.
As Lauren walked into Horatio's room, she said, "This is going to be a long night." Seeing Horatio's chart hanging from the foot of his bed, she grabbed it and examined the information. "Lt. Horatio Caine… I never thought I would see you in a hospital bed. I guess you really are human," Lauren said seeing his eyes flutter open.
Horatio half smiled. "Raymond," he rasped just below a whisper. He wasn't sure if Lauren heard him or not so he spoke again, "Nurse Raburn… my brother, Raymond Caine."
Lauren looked up from the medical file. She frowned and said, "Lt. Caine, I've never lied to you in the past so I'm not going to start now. Your brother, Raymond, is in very serious condition. Dr. Campbell did the best he could do. Now it's up to God and your brother. If you are a praying man, do it. Do it as often, and as much as you can."
Horatio held back his tears. "Yelina Salas." He swallowed hard.
"I know, Lt. Caine. They only thing you need to worry about right now is getting better. I don't want to see you roaming the halls looking for your brother or anyone else." He didn't say anything. "I mean it, Lt. Caine. Your sister-in-law may lose her husband. She doesn't need to lose you too."
Her bright blue eyes pierced his bright blue eyes. Lauren was right. He needed his rest. If in fact they lost Raymond he would have to be there for Yelina and Ray Jr. "Okay… but you have to call me, Horatio."
Lauren smiled. "I think I can do that." She looked out into the hallway and saw Dr. Campbell coming. "I see Dr. Campbell coming. I'm going to go talk to him. Is there anything I can get you?" He shook his head no. "Your pain level is okay then because I can get you some-"
Horatio stopped her. "No Miss Raburn. I'm fine for now."
"Okay." She smiled back at Horatio, and left his hospital room.
He stopped her again. "Miss Raburn?"
"Yes?"
"When you see the nurse taking care of my brother, tell him or her that he has a son and wife he needs to fight for." Lauren said she would, and left Horatio's room.
Dr. Campbell updated Lauren on Detective Caine's condition. There was no change. This was good news.
On her way to Detective Caine's room, she remembered what Horatio had said, 'When you see the nurse taking care of my brother, tell him or her that he has a son and wife he needs to fight for.' What he said hit her hard. Everyone should be able to have their real parents in their lives. Lauren sure wished she had.