Scott had found massive bruising on the left kidney, the same one that had been injured in the attack before. He kept his concern quiet waiting on the consult from the renal specialist and was keeping him for a 12 hours of observation which allowed Drew to stay in the ER instead of having to be admitted.

Dr. Sampson, the nephrologist knocked on the door before stepping in, Scott following. "Dr. Alister?"

"Yes," Drew said from his spot on the bed. He looked tired and worn, dark circles under his eyes.

"I've gone over the results from your latest scans and labs and I'm afraid there has been some serious damage you your left kidney."

"What?" Rick asked sitting up straighter in his chair. "How bad?"

"The tissue in the kidney is damaged and swollen but it's too early to tell if it is going to scar. Being a doctor you know what that means but I want to reassure you that we will do everything we can to get through this together. We are going to start with IV fluids and some broad spectrum antibiotics. You're going to be staying with us for the next 72 hours at least so we can do repeat labs every two hours and make sure that your creatinine levels are stable. We are going to start giving you some fresh frozen plasma to help the kidney heal and we will do another CT tonight and one in the morning to make sure there is no bleeding or swelling increase. You will be on strict bed rest Dr. Alister. I don't have to tell you how much of a risk moving around is and how dangerous it will be to the future health of your kidney."

"Of course," his voice was almost robotic.

"I realize that you are a solider and the stress it has to put on you wondering about the ramifications of this type of injury but please, don't jump to any conclusions," Scott pleaded. "We need to give it time before we will have any educated decision if it will heal fully or not. We need to keep your blood pressure under control which means keeping your stress under control. I'm going to give you something for pain and something for your nerves."

"No, I don't need," he stopped. "My nerves are fine."

"Drew, you're trembling and your pressure is off the chart. Let me do my job?" Scott asked.

He nodded and curled up with his head on Rick's arm. He was failing as a doctor and now there was a chance he wouldn't be a soldier anymore?

Kenny stepped up behind him and started administering his meds and hanging the plasma. He put a supporting hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be ok man. We'll be back to making Topher want to pull his hair out in no time.

Rick looked at Kenny with tears in his eyes and mouthed 'thank you'.

Once they were alone Drew broke down. He didn't say anything he just clung to Rick like he was the only life raft in the middle of the ocean. He reassured him, never stopping the constant mantra of how things would be ok and they would be back to doing the things they loved in no time until Drew finally fell asleep.

Rick had stepped out about an hour ago after Scott told him Drew would be asleep for a while and was now back. He approached the nurse's station, "Kenny?"

"Hey he's doing fine he's still asleep."

"What is the hospital's policy on service dogs?"

"If they are official service dogs who have the little harness they are fine with them," Ragosa answered as he knew the policy before he became a doctor.

"Why?" Kenny asked.

"Have a friend that works with Wounded Warrior that was wondering," he said walking toward Drew's room. He hoped this was the right thing to do. He stood next to the bed and unzipped his jacket carefully placing the tiny puppy next to his husband.

Drew felt something soft and wet rubbing his face and tried to brush it away only to have something tug on his shirt. He cracked one eye open then the other and blinked a few times. There was a little fur ball looking at him. It looked just like a husky but was the size of a tennis ball and it had a little purple cast on its paw. It playfully poked at Drew with its nose. He looked around, confused until his eyes landed on Rick.

"He needed a friend and I thought maybe with the new place and all we'd have room," Rick smiled at him. He knew Drew had wanted a puppy for a while and well it just seemed right.

"This is Jake?" he realized as picked the pup up to inspect it and noticed it had a service dog harness on.

"I had a friend who owed me a favor that works for the Wounded Warror Project and since we are both war time vets we qualify to own a service dog and the hospital has to let him stay." He pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket. "I have all the paper work."

"You are amazing you know that right?" He pulled him closer and kissed him. Jake decided he didn't want to be left out so he started kissing both of them.

Kenny walked in to Drew's room an hour later to find Rick asleep in a chair leaned against the bed with his hand and Drew sound asleep as well. As he approached to hang another bag of plasma he noticed something move next to Drew's arm. He was startled at first but then he grinned and stepped out the door. "Krista?" he motioned for her to come over there. "Look."

She walked in and went to Drew checking that he was ok. As she reached over a little furry head popped up and looked at her. She gasped and jumped back as it stretched and yawned. The puppy didn't seem to be phased by the new occupants of the room as it toddled its way over Drew's arm and up on his chest giving him kisses demanding attention.

"Mmmnff," he groused and scratched the puppy without opening his eyes.

"That might just be the cutest damn thing I have ever seen," Kenny laughed.

"Of course I am," Drew muttered.

Rick laughed having woken when they came in the room but kept his eyes closed. He looked up at Drew and the pup, both were smiling though one was sleepy. He'd done a good thing.

"Hey kid how are you holding up?" T.C. asked as he entered then froze.

"Is that?"

"Yes," Rick smiled. "That's Jake."