Over the next couple hours, everyone took time to sit, and talk with Speed even though he couldn't speak back. Tom and Melissa had called saying they were about to board their flight to Miami, and would be there within five or so hours. Speed's parents were flying down with them. Molly had called a couple times wanting to know what really had happened. Lauren finally gave in and told Jen to bring her down to Miami General.
Everyone sat quietly in the ICU waiting room. No one really knew what to say or do. Calleigh and Eric said together; Frank and Yelina sat together; Horatio and Alexx sat next to Lauren; her friend Margaret had to leave to attend a work meeting.
Lauren was the first to move. She leaned forward and folded her hands as if she was praying. "This can't be happening right now. We're supposed to be getting married. We wanted a family. We wanted to buy our first house. We wanted to grow old together… this isn't happening," Lauren cried. "How am I supposed to explain this to Molly?"
Horatio scooted forward in his seat. He looked down at Lauren and said, "You tell her the truth. She needs to know sweetheart."
Lauren shook her head, and her hands began to shake. "Please, God don't let him die. Just don't let him die."
Calleigh looked at Eric and couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. Eric placed his hand on the small of her back. Tears fell from his eyes. Tears fell from everyone's eyes.
Many minutes passed. People had come and gone, cried and smiled, prayed and sat silent. A man walked into the ICU waiting room. He was in search of, Lauren. When he saw her he cleared his throat. She looked up and her eyes opened wide.
"Pastor Paul! What are you doing here? The hospital didn't call you did they?" she asked standing up. She wiped the tears away from her eyes. Pastor Paul looked at her. The two had known each other a long time. They go back to their days in New York. Lauren was thrilled to hear that he had taken a job in Miami, Florida. The hospital had in fact called him, but it wasn't for Speed. He was here to see other patients. "They called you. They don't think Tim is going to make it. Pastor Paul, tell God he can't take Tim away from me yet. Not for a long time… please." She began to sob again.
Pastor Paul pulled Lauren into a hug; he kissed the top of her forehead. "I was called to the hospital, but not for, Tim. How about we say a prayer, okay?" Lauren agreed. "Come on let's sit down."
Lauren sat back down in between Alexx and Horatio. Pastor Paul grabbed a small foot rest and sat on it. He reached and took a hold of Lauren's hands and began to pray. "Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you tonight and ask that you be with, Timothy Speedle. Lord you know what has happened, and know what he needs. We ask that you be with him. Give him the strength to fight and come back to the people who love him, if it is your will." Lauren let out a small sob. "I ask that you be with Lauren, his family, and colleagues and friends, and give them strength as they go through this rough time. Again Lord, if it is your will let him come back to the people who love him. In you name, Heavenly Father we pray, amen."
"Amen," everyone said simultaneously.
Out of the corner of Lauren's eye she saw a woman and little girl walk into the waiting room, it was Jen and Molly. "Lauren what happened to Timmy?" Molly said on the verge of tears. She noticed Pastor Paul. The tears broke free from her eyes, and began to travel down her cheeks like a waterfall. "Timmy didn't die did he? Lauren! No!" Pastor Paul moved out of the way; Molly leaped into her sister's arms. Jen stood next to Horatio.
"No honey, he didn't die, but he's been hurt real bad," Lauren said wiping the tears away from her cheeks.
"What happened? Did it have to do with that thing I saw earlier? You took off so fast." Molly pulled back and looked her sister in the eyes. "Please tell me he's going to okay."
"Here, Molly sit here on the ottoman," Lauren said as Pastor Paul stood up. He excused himself from the group and headed to see some of his patients who needed him. "Yes, it has to do with why I left in a hurry." Lauren took a few deep breaths, and looked at Horatio for encouragement. He gave it with a simple smile. Lauren felt she could do this. "Molly, Tim was involved in a shooting at work." A horrified look appeared on Molly's face. Lauren continued, "He was shot just a few centimeters above his heart. When I got down to the jewelry store… I found out he had passed away." Lauren closed her eyes for a moment. "But then as I was sitting in Horatio's truck he hoped back in. He told me Tim was alive. I didn't believe it at first…"
"But he's going to be okay, right? I mean he came back. Isn't that like some sign he's supposed to be here? He'll be okay, Lauren," Molly said searching her sister's eyes for any sign of hope that her hero would make it.
"I don't know, honey," was all Lauren could say. Her voice thick with emotion.
Molly left the ottoman, went to her sister, and hugged her tightly. "He's not going to leave us. He loves you way too much. He told me so before you guys left for dinner last night. Timmy never breaks his promises. He just doesn't."
The room fell silent again. No one felt the need to say anything. Eric wrapped his arm around Calleigh letting her lean against his side; they began to cry. Both Horatio and Alexx looked at each other with great sadness; a few tears escaped their eyes. Lauren held Molly.
A couple new people had entered the waiting room when Molly pulled back and asked, "Can I go see Timmy?"
Lauren looked at her and said, "Yeah, we can do that. I haven't t seen him in a while. Jen you want to come with us?"
Jen smiled a little. "Yeah sure." The three got up and left the room.
Calleigh waited until Lauren, Molly, and Jen were out of earshot. She looked from Eric to Horatio to Alexx and said, "Do you think Tim is going to make it? He lost so much blood. He actually died. If he does make it, is he going to remember us? Will he remember what happened? Will he remember Lauren?" She sniffled.
"Calleigh, of course Speed is going to make it. He has to. He's Speed," Eric said a little hurt.
"Eric, I'm just trying to be realistic here. You know I don't want Tim to die. You know that Eric. We aren't five years old anymore. We can't look at life as a fairytale. Things happen that we don't want to happen. Look at our job, Eric," Calleigh explained. Eric knew she was right, but he didn't want Speed to die. He needed him here. He needed his best friend.
"I just don't want to think of a world without Speed, you know. I mean he's, Speed."
Alexx looked at Horatio. She sensed something was wrong. "Horatio?" He was crying.
"It's my fault Alexx. It's my fault that Speed got shot. If I hadn't…"
"You stop right there, Horatio. There was nothing you could have done. You hear me. Nothing you could have done," Alexx said firmly as she placed a reassuring hand on the Lieutenant's back.
"I lost my brother. I can't lose, Speed. He's like a son to me." Horatio wiped his eyes dry.
"Baby, you aren't going to lose him. Tim isn't going to be your lost son. He's a fighter. If he was meant to leave this world he wouldn't have come back to us. I promise you. I promise all of you. Tim is going to make it through this," Alexx stated.
"I hope so, Alexx. I hope so," Horatio said just at the newest member to the team, Ryan Wolfe, entered the waiting room.
