Auggie hissed from the pain. It felt like someone had plunged a hot poker into his shoulder.

"What was that guy's name?"

"Patrick." Auggie bit his lip trying to resist the very strong desire to vomit, pass out, or perhaps both. He'd never been shot before but the pain reminded him of his fateful trip to Iraq, a memory that also made him feel extremely ill.

He tried to focus on the sounds around him, to use them as a distraction. He was aware of Emily calling out for Patrick to bring a towel, and the feeling of someone pressing it against his shoulder. Only then did he realize that his back felt very wet. The bullet must have hit an artery or something.

"Stay with me, Augman." Patrick said softly.

Auggie nodded. From the midst of the fuzzy feelings in his head he could hear Emily's voice.

"Yes, FBI Special Agent Emily Prentiss. I'm at the site of a shooting. One victim. We need paramedics and I need police support to canvas the area. What's the address here?"

"10700 Houser" Patrick's voice drifted into the fog. "Auggie. You with me."

"Yeah. How bad is it?"

"Not that bad."

"Don't lie to a blind guy. It's tacky."

"Look, Augman. I don't really know. There's a lot of blood but I don't know if it's really a lot or just looks it. Just talk to me okay. Tell me about the hot blonde."

"Her name is Annie. We work together."

"She got a guy?"

"There's a guy at work she's gone out with, don't know if it's serious."

"So there's hope for me."

"Yeah, there's hope." Auggie cringed from the pain. He needed to keep his thinking clear. Needed to stay awake. He did it in Iraq, somehow. He kept his cool for almost 5 hours. In the desert. Blinded. Hurt. Alone. If he could do that, he could do this.

"Auggie." Emily's voice was right by his ear. "The paramedics are here. They're going to take care of you. I have to stay for a while but then I need to come talk to you, okay."

"Sure. I can't wait." Auggie said with a strained laugh.

"Hey Auggie. Get patched up. First round is on me next time." He felt Patrick's hands lift off his shoulder. "Take good care of my guy."

Auggie focused as the medic asked him about allergies, medications. A light breeze stirred and he realized he was shivering. He wasn't sure if it was the breeze or he was going into shock. He also cringed as he once again felt the very strong urge to be sick.

"Sir?" The medic had asked him a question and was clearly waiting for an answer.

"I'm sorry. What was the question?"

"Do you think you can stand?"

"Yeah." Auggie felt the medic's hand on his arm as he stood up. And then the world went black, figuratively speaking.