Chapter 7

Lewis returned in the morning, to find Alex sleeping in the chair beside Bobby. With a gentle pat on the shoulder, he woke her. "Want some coffee before you head home?" he offered.

Alex stretched and rubbed her neck. "No, that's okay," she said with a yawn. She covered her mouth and caressed Bobby's hand as she checked him over with her eyes. "What time is it?" she asked.

"Uh, 7:30," Lewis replied.

She rubbed her eyes. "He's still sleeping?" she asked herself.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. He was in a lot of pain around midnight, and the nurse gave him a dose of the pain meds. I just thought they would have worn off by now."

Lewis shrugged. "He's exhausted. He hasn't slept well for at least three days."

"Yeah, maybe so."

"You're exhausted, too."

"I'll take care of that later. Sit with him a few, will you?" Lewis gave her a nod, and she left the room, trying desperately to stretch her back as she moved. "Good morning." The nurses looked up from their work to greet her.

"Good morning, Alex."

"Bobby's still sleeping," she told them. "Did he wake up in the night and I missed it?"

One of the nurses punched the keys on the computer keyboard. "No, he's been sleeping soundly."

"Isn't that odd?" She asked. "I mean, the last few nights he hasn't been able to sleep more than a couple of hours without waking."

"His vitals look good," the nurse replied. "He needs the rest. It will help him heal."

"And he's really okay?" Alex asked, searching the woman's face for the truth.

The nurse gave her a reassuring smile. "He's doing as well as can be expected."

"What about that cough?"

"The doctor isn't concerned about it at this point."

Alex nodded and turned back toward Bobby's room. She could see Lewis flipping channels on Bobby's TV, and looking back and forth between the screen and his friend. Alex took a deep breath, which turned into a yawn. Then she turned and walked down the hall to the elevators.

Her cell rang when she was halfway through breakfast. "Hi Liz," Alex said wearily, having read her sister's name on the display.

"How is he?" she asked.

"He's sleeping. And honestly, that scared me. But the nurses say he's all right."

"Poor Bobby. He must be exhausted."

"He's not the only one," Alex muttered, running a hand through her hair.

"Actually, Alex, that's why I called. Do you want me to come get you?"

"What? Why?"

"Look, I know you must be tired. I could come get you, take you home, and then give you a ride back when you've had a chance to rest."

"I can drive," Alex said.

"And fall asleep at the wheel," Liz countered. "Alex, it's been days. And you know you haven't been sleeping well when you do sleep."

"All right, okay. Thanks for the offer."

"Thanks, but…"

"I'm not ready to leave him right now."

"Alex, Dad even offered to sit with him if you want."

Alex smiled. "That's ridiculous."

"We're all worried about… about the both of you."

"I've got Lewis to help," said Alex.

"Well… let me know if you need me, Alex. Please."

"All right, Liz."

"Where's Eames?"

"She's getting some rest, Bobby. She'll be back later."

He seemed agitated. He shifted uncomfortably and then winced in pain. The small amount of movement left him breathless, which triggered a cough, which started the whole cycle to begin again. At last, he was still and quiet in the bed, but he wore a definite grimace on his face.

"I'm dying," Bobby announced through dry lips.

"No, you're not."

"Feels like it."

Lewis frowned and nodded. He knew Bobby felt like shit. "Look, man, I can get the nurse for you."

He shook his head, frowning. "D'you know she quit?"

"Huh?"

"Eames. Quit. The force."

"What?"

Bobby coughed again, and cursed when it was over.

"What do you mean, she quit?" Lewis asked.

"She told me."

"Well, she never said anything like that to me. You sure you heard her right?"

He gave his friend a sober nod. "Lewis?" Bobby asked after several minutes.

"Yeah, man."

"How bad am I? Really."

"You're gonna be fine, Bobby. They all say so."

He scoffed. "Bullshit."

"It's no bullshit. You took a bad hit, Bobby, and you almost died, but you're way past that now. You're getting stronger all the time. You're gonna be fine."

"When?"

Lewis was surprised by the question. He stumbled over his words for a moment. "Uh, I don't know. But, you know, day by day, one step at a time, you'll get there."

"Wish I was dead," Goren grumbled.

"Say shit like that and they'll send a shrink in here," Lewis warned, and Bobby's expression changed immediately.

"Hurts," he said in his own defense.

"Yeah." Lewis scratched his head. "I know."

"How could she fucking quit like that?" Bobby groaned.

"Sounds like something you should ask her."