Okay folks, I know I was trying to do a chapter a month. I have utterly failed at that. This latest chapter decided to be nearly 30 pages long and I'm still working on it. Thanks to my zombie-beta, DoctorHarrisonWells, I have decided to start posting the chapter piece by piece. So, here is the first part of Chapter 7! No live beta so all mistakes are my own and please forgive. Doing the best I can with limited time and such. Big thanks to all those out there who have reviewed and pm'd me. I appreciate the encouragement. For now, I'll just keep writing and posting when I can!

Chapter 7: Recovery

Part 1: The Phone Call

The refrigerator hummed as Caitlin pulled a carton of milk out and set it on the counter. She tried to ignore the little twinge of pain as she shifted her weight on her sore ankle. It had been a rough weekend, resulting in her breaking one ankle and hurting the other. Due to the double injury, her doctor had ordered her to take the entire week off. While Cisco had crashed in her spare room Saturday night and spent most of Sunday with her, she'd been on her own Monday. Now, mid-way through Tuesday, she was growing frustrated with being cooped up in the apartment and trying to stay off her feet. She'd tried contacting Dr. Wells, but he'd not answered any of her calls or texts. After their time together Saturday, she'd begun to worry about him a great deal. Usually she'd figure that Dr. McGee was with the older man, but Caitlin knew for a fact that the other woman was in England.

After their adventure together, Dr. Wells had seemed to shut down emotionally. He'd been open and friendly through their entire ordeal, but when they had finally been found and somebody else was responsible for their well being, the man had shut down, closing himself off. Caitlin hadn't been able to dwell on it much, since she'd been on the way to the hospital. Now, stuck at home with nothing else to do, she didn't seem able to do anything but worry.

Caitlin was deep in thoughts of concern about her boss when her phone rang. Frowning, she picked it up and glanced at the screen. The caller was blocked. Usually, she didn't answer if she didn't know who it was, but for some reason she opted to break her rule. "Hello?"

"Caitlin?" The clipped voice was vaguely familiar but Caitlin couldn't place it immediately.

"Speaking. Who is this?" Caitlin tried to place the voice as she leaned on her crutches and glowered at the chair she couldn't get to at the moment.

"Oh, Caitlin, thank goodness," the voice sounded tense, like the woman had spent the last several hours worried. "This is Tina McGee, Harrison introduced us." As soon as the older woman identified herself, Caitlin recognised the voice.

"Dr. McGee. I remember. Honestly, I've followed your career for some time now," Caitlin answered. "I didn't know you have my number."

"I don't," Tina replied. "I called Harrison's secretary and got it from her. I need a huge favour from you."

"From me? Uhm, okay," Caitlin stood a little straighter, her pain forgotten.

"I need you to spend the week with Harrison." It was said without any humour as though the woman was being serious. Before Caitlin could respond, Tina continued. "I know this is a lot to ask, but Harrison told me about your accident this weekend and that you are off work for the week. Usually I'd be home with him myself, but I got stuck in England with meetings."

"Tina," Caitlin began, trying to decide how to explain to the other woman that she wasn't comfortable being alone with Harrison because she was still attracted to him. "I'm not sure I'd be comfortable spending an entire week with Harrison outside of work."

"Caitlin, Harrison has told me that there's some tension between you two. He couldn't tell me why, but he has mentioned it a time or two. Normally I wouldn't ask this of anyone. I'd much rather be there for him, and have been for the last twelve years, but this year I can't." There was a long pause through which Caitlin held her tongue, sensing that Tina was about to reveal something extremely personal. "This week is the anniversary of Tess's death," Tina calmly explained.

"Normally he gets very moody and upset. Angry with himself for any number of reasons. This year I thought we'd cut it off by going out and getting him a tattoo in memory of Tess, but talking to him earlier I got the feeling that he's not doing well at all." There was worry in Tina's voice. It made Caitlin rethink her statement. Was she willing to spend a week with a moody and upset Harrison Wells? Knowing what the tattoo represented certainly explained why he had clammed up when Caitlin had tried to question him about it. The only problem, Harrison hadn't been answering any of Caitlin's calls.

"He's not answering my calls," she informed Tina.

"Not a problem. When we hang up I will text you his address and entrance code. Just show up at his house, tell him I called you and you agreed. Blame it all on me, even refusing to leave. We've known each other long enough that it will land me in hot water for a period, but it will be well worth it."

A thought struck Caitlin. "Tina, when you said the whole week, does that mean you want me to stay the night with him as well?" She wasn't certain what answer she was hoping for.

"Yes, but don't worry, Harrison has a large guest bedroom. Just tell him I told you to come over and you took advantage of it and scheduled maintenance on your apartment so you can't leave. Hell, I'll even pay for whatever you have done while you're gone." It was the final offer that told Caitlin everything she really needed to know.

"You really don't think he should be alone right now, do you?" Caitlin found her mind imagining all the things Tina thought Harrison might do without someone there.

"He shouldn't. Please tell me you'll do this." Caitlin could tell that Tina was desperate and terrified that Caitlin would say no.

"Let me pack my bag and I'll get a cab over as soon as I can," Caitlin agreed. "I'll check in with you each night after he's gone to bed. Text okay?"

"Text will be perfect. Thank you so much Caitlin." There was a long pause as though Tina was trying to make sure she'd achieved all she'd intended. "Are you certain you'll be alright doing this? He can be a handful even when he isn't being emotional and moody."

"Tina, I'll figure it out. Harrison pretty much saved my life Saturday. I will make this work. Don't worry. I'll talk to you later." Figuring Tina wouldn't be comfortable ending the conversation, Caitlin ended the call and started getting her stuff together. When her phone beeped with a text message she glanced at it to confirm it was all the information Tina felt she might need. It seemed Caitlin had work to do.