It has been an hour since she got home. There's no sight of her dad and now she's starting to worry. She knows that he's a grown man and a responsible person, but he did not call and leave a message telling her that he was going to be delayed for any reason.

She has no one to call for help, well she does have one person but she really doesn't want to burden him with her problems. She calls his law firm and finds out that he left there hours ago. Then she remembered that he had a bereavement group meeting tonight. He was not that forthcoming with the friends he made there but she thinks she remembers one name in particular and he has a contact number for this person. She rifle's through his telephone number list and finds the phone number. She dials quickly and it goes automatically to voicemail. Kate hangs up after listening to the greeting and doesn't leave a message. She looks at the clock on the wall and decides to give him an additional 15 minutes for either a phone call or for him to show up at the apartment. If he doesn't show up in 15 minutes she's going to have to call Rick. As much as he hates putting pressure on him with her problems, she has no other choice.

Xx

"I just don't understand what happened to him. He was fine one minute so happy and then the next minute he was apathetic and then this is what he has become! He's totally unresponsive."

The mental health specialist for the bereavement group waves his hand in front of Jim's face and gets nothing.

"This is not an uncommon response to his situation. But I've never seen it manifest so late in his grieving. His wife passed away weeks ago. But I guess everyone treats their loss differently."

"What are we going to do for him?" Jim's friend asked.

"I hate to say this but I'm going to need to admit him to the psyche ward for observation. I really don't know what else to do. It will only be a 72-hour hold, but visitors will not be able to see him for that period of time so the staff can make a proper diagnosis. I'm sorry."

"I'm not that sure his daughter will understand this. They need each other for support and she'll be so upset."

"With what you just told me, I think I see part of his problem. He's taking all her grieving and adding that to his own. It's no wonder he broke down."

John calls an ambulance to come and pick up Jim. He's not a threat to anyone and certainly not to himself. So, there's no need for him to be placed in a strait jacket. He waves his hand in front of Jim's face one last time and receives the same result. The ambulance arrives and Jim is able to get up and get in the stretcher under his own power. Not that he realizes what he's doing.

On the way out to the ambulance Paul's phone rings. As it does John gives him a questioning look.

"It's his daughter. She's probably worried that he's not home yet."

"Answer it and then give me the phone." John tells him.

Paul does as he's told and then passes him his phone.

"Miss Beckett?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"My name is John. I am the mental health coordinator for the bereavement group. It seems that your dad has had somewhat of a breakdown."

"Is he okay? Kate asked hoping he was fine.

"Miss Beckett I'm afraid that he's not. It seems that he has become reserved, calm, and his mind has shut down. A form of ataraxia if you will."

"Thanks, I think? What will happen to him now?" She was now worried about him.

"We are bringing him to Lenox Hill Hospital for observation. He'll be on a 72-hour hold but I'm afraid that family and friends won't be able to see him during that timeframe."

"Can I see him before he is admitted?"

"Yes, I think that can be arranged. Meet me at the ER bay at Lennox Hill and then I'll be sure that you get to see him."

"Thank you, John. I'm leaving now."

"Goodbye Miss Beckett."

John ended the call. He gave back the phone to Paul and they loaded Jim up into the ambulance.

Xx

Rick was busy planning the best second date he could think of for them. He remembers that she might like to get physical on their second date so he thinks about activities that will keep them active as well as enjoy each other's company. He's been doing some research into dancing. At first, he thought of ballroom dancing but then realized that salsa dancing is more active and burns more calories keeping your cardiovascular system pumping blood, and it's very suggestive when you dance in this nature. He's researched a couple of salsa dance clubs near Chelsea. Each offers three types of classes and different kinds of dancing to take and he's not sure if she's ever been dancing at all. He thinks she hasn't because he's only 20. But he can't know for sure. So, first thing tomorrow morning he will place a call to the Cielo dance club on the west side.

Now that he has the activities planned for the date, he needs to plan a good place to have something to eat. He thinks that keeping with the theme of Latin dancing is the way to go for dinner. So, he starts looking for Latin American restaurants near the dance club. Within seconds he has about 25 results for local restaurants in the area of the dance club. He looks at every one of them and aside from that, Empanada Mama's is the closest to the dance club and he liked the reviews that were left. The food was excellent and they had a lot of his favorites, so he'll make reservations for two tomorrow morning after he calls the dance club to get more information.

He hopes with all his heart that she will like what he had planned for them to do. He thinks that she needs to let loose and enjoy life. This is what he hopes it will do for her, he prays.

Alexis strolls into his office just as he's finishing up with his research. It's late and he can't imagine why she still up. That is until she hands him his ringing phone. He must have been in the zone because he never heard his phone ringing. He takes it from her hand quickly and presses the accept icon.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Rick. It's me, Kate."

"Hey Kate, I was just finishing up planning our second date."

God, she can't do this to him. But as much as she needs a friend right now she needs to tell him what happened to her father and to talk to him.

Trying to sound upbeat about what he was doing she responds by saying instead,

"That's great Rick. I can't wait to find out what you have planned."

Rick though he did not know her all that well but, could hear the hesitancy in her voice. He knew something was wrong but he'd let her come out and tell him what it was. It didn't take long because the next sentence she started sent him from a standing position and back down into his chair in a heartbeat.

"Rick my dad was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital. I really could use a friend to be with me right now. Is there any way that you can meet me at the hospital?"

"Kate I'll need to find a sitter for Alexis, but Mrs. Kennedy next door told me if I ever need anyone in an emergency to call her. Once she gets here it won't take me that to get there. 30 minutes at the most."

"Thanks, Rick, I really appreciate this."

"Anytime Kate. That goes without saying. I'll see you soon. Bye."

"Bye Rick."

Kate ended the call and got redressed into a pair of her jeans and her red Stanford sweatshirt. She checked that all the lights were off except the one by the front door and picked up her keys and purse and left. Hurrying down to the lobby she scanned the street for a cab. Spotting one with its light on she threw her arm in the air and let out a loud whistle. The cab immediately pulled over and skidded to a stop. As she opened the door and got in the cab she thought about how he gave up whatever he was doing when she called him. In her eyes, he just moved up a notch in her heart.

Xx

Rick called Mrs. Kennedy his next door neighbor and asked if she wouldn't mind taking care of Alexis for a short time. All she asked was what time he wanted her in bed by and he told her that she was to be in bed no later than 30 minutes after she got there. Rick told Alexis what was going on and her first reaction was to be with him and see Kate. He promised that she would see her and that ended any further discussion on the subject. He went to the cabinet and got out a plate and then some chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk for her. He placed them on the table and as he told her that they were for the both of them and then there was a knock on the loft's door. He grabbed his jacket and keys and met Mrs. Kennedy on the way out.

"Mrs. Kennedy, I can't thank you enough for doing this for me." He said with compassion meaning every word.

"Rick, ever since Mr. Kennedy passed away, I've been trying to get back into my life again. I should be thanking you for asking me to come and watch Alexis. Gives me a chance to get out of that stuffy apartment."

"I'm glad. I shouldn't be that long. A friend is in need."

"Rick, it's fine. Take as long as you need to take care of your friend."

"Thanks, Mrs. Kennedy."

Before she could say anything in return, Rick had already closed the door to the loft and was heading for the elevator.

Xx

"Kate, I'm glad that you made it. I didn't know what else to do to help him" Paul tells her as she walked into the ER lobby.

"Paul, thanks for doing what you did. The signs were there, I just didn't do anything about this."

"Kate don't blame yourself. You are not the one at fault here. It seemed that he had all of us believing he was okay. So, none of that talk, do you understand?"

Kate looked down to hide her face in shame. She should have been there for him. He was taking in all her grief and holding it in with his own. The ambulance was just about to arrive. Kate knew from Paul that John had been with her dad for the entire trip. She just hoped he was okay.

Xx

Rick was in the cab heading up to Lenox Hill. Since it was late he made quick time of the city's traffic and before he knew it the cab was pulling up to the ER. The first thing he noticed was an ambulance in the ER bay with its light still flashing. As he walked around to the back of the rig and the doors were still open. Walking through the ER's sliding doors, he noticed Kate standing there with another older gentleman. He approached but slowly. He wanted to make sure he didn't scare her by sneaking up on her. But it was like she knew he was there. She ended her conversation with the gentleman in front of her and turned as he reached her. The first thing he noticed was the sadness in her eyes. They were bloodshot red and he wished he could take away her sorrow. The second he got close enough she fell into his arms and started to weep. She kept her head in the crook of his neck and just cried. After about five minutes she composed herself and looked directly into his eyes.

"Rick, my dad has gone into a state of disillusion. That's the only word I can use to describe how he looked when he came in. I know there's an actual condition or a better word to describe what he has but I can't think of it right now."

"Kate whatever is wrong with him, I'm sure that the doctors will be able to help him get back to where he was. Do you know what happened?"

"Well, I have an idea about what he was doing. He was taking all I would tell him about how much I was missing my mom and then he started holding it inside. It's a wonder how he lasted this long."

"Kate I'm so sorry to hear this. I never knew this about your mom. Do you know long will he be here?"

"John told me that he will be on a 72-hour hold. Just so the doctors can make a complete diagnosis. After that, he will be released if the diagnosis is good. I only hope that he's not in the same state of mind he was in when he came in here earlier. Rick, he looked like he had lost everything."

Not knowing what to do Rick drew her into a full body hug. No words would help her now. She started to withdraw from the hug, but he just hugged her tighter. He knew he was doing the right amount of consoling when a contented sigh released from her body against his chest. When she was finally at peace, he took her over to the uncomfortable hospital chairs. He was hesitating to ask this question as they sat there but from his research, he knew that any kind of patient on a psych hold could not have visitors.

"Kate you do know that being here is pointless. Right? I mean I know you've seen your dad but sitting here while he's on the psych hold will not be doing you any good. Are you hungry?"

She looked up at him and knew that he made sense. Even though they just finished dinner about 5 hours ago she was starving.

"Rick, I'm famished. I could eat." She told him.

"Then it's settled. We'll grab a bite, then we will swing by your place so you can pack a bag and then you'll stay with me for tonight. Is your shop open on Sunday?"

She just looked at him not knowing what to do. He invited her to his place. No, she could not accept. She did not want to ruin anything before it had the chance to start.

"Rick, while the offer is tempting I can't possibly…"

Rick looked right in her eyes stopping her reasoning from spilling out and said,

"Kate, I know that we only met earlier today but I can't let you stay all alone at a time like this. I wouldn't be a gentleman if I did and I'd be worried about you all night long. Don't worry I have a guest bedroom you can be comfortable in. No funny stuff… I promise."

Kate stood there in the ER lobby and looked into his eyes closely. She could see the warmth within them and they also showed his true feelings. It was the hint of love that she noticed in them that changed her mind.

"No funny stuff?" She asked.

"Cross my heart and hope to die. I promise."

"Well then, I guess that one night would be alright."

"Good. Let's get something to eat."