Disclaimer- I don't own it. Not even close.

Thunder, Lightening, and One Hell of a Storm: Seven-

Joan Hunt's POV-

"Yes, I understand. Thank you." Joan clicked her cell phone off and stared at it for a moment. She felt the familiar panic gripping her chest, sinking it's way to her outer extremities. Her body felt weak and her hand began to shake. She was helpless. In a fit of frustration, she flung the phone from her hand as hard as she could, watching as it rebounded off the couch cushions and fell to the floor. On impact, it cracked open and spilled its battery and equal halves across the hard wood. Dammit. She swallowed and blew out a calming breath, raking a hand through her hair. Slowly, she walked over to the pieces and crouched down to pick them up. Her trembling fingers replaced the battery in its sheath and closed it up. The screen lit up. At least it still worked.

She jumped in surprise when it rang in her hand, causing her to lose her balance and sit heavily. Trying to calm her hammering heart, she rolled her eyes as she twisted up onto her knees while answering it. "Hunt."

"Hey Mrs. Hunt, its me again."

Recognizing the voice, she felt a surge of relief, stumbling her way back up onto her feet. "Detective Morris. Any news?"

"None so far. She hasn't shown up there?"

Joan sighed. "Not as of yet."

The man cursed on the other side of the line. "If I'd known she was going to pull a disappearing act, I would have run after her. I just thought she needed a minute when she ran past me at the hospital."

"I know, Detective." She sighed, making her way back to the kitchen island to sit. Her daughter's apartment seemed so empty without Megan or Lacey in it. She'd only bothered to turn on one light, so most of it was still in darkness. It was hollow.

There was a sudden sound at the door. She was on her feet in a second, moving toward it. More rattling issued from the lock as it slowly moved. Someone with a key was unlocking it. Grabbing the doorknob, Joan pulled it open, mouth open to say Megan's name. Instead, she stopped short.

"Grandma." Lacey looked up at her, tears in her eyes and hair plastered to her face by the rain.

"Oh sweetheart." She took her granddaughter into her arms and pulled her inside the apartment. Her arms clutched the child fiercely, holding her like she was a lifeline.

"She wouldn't take no for an answer." Todd said, still out in the hallway. "Is... is Megan okay?"

"Mm, she's uh- not home yet." Joan answered, burying her face in Lacey's hair and laying a quick kiss to the top of the girl's head.

"Please. Can I stay here with you till she gets home?" Lacey asked. She lifted her head and looked up pleadingly. "I have to see her. I have to know she's okay. Dad said she was at the hospital?"

"You're mother is fine, Lacey." Joan framed the girl's face with her hands. "The doctors checked her out and released her almost immediately."

"Then why isn't she here yet?" Lacey asked fiercely. She silently started to cry, tears slipping down her cheeks. Joan had to take a small step backward to keep her balance as her granddaughter buried her face in her chest again.

"She's been like this for the past hour, ever since I told her what Kate said to me." Todd said helplessly, gesturing at Lacey's shaking shoulders. "I don't-"

"It's okay. She can stay here with me and that way she'll get to see her mother when she gets home." She didn't mention that she had no idea when that would be, since Megan had disappeared from the hospital, but it didn't seem necessary.

Looking exhausted, Todd just nodded. "Have Megan call me when she gets a chance, okay?"

Nodding, she closed the door as Todd walked away and half carried Lacey over to the couch. The girl was chilled, so she took the throw blanket off the corner of the couch and threw it over her as they sat. "It's okay baby. She'll be home soon. You'll see."