AN: A little heads up. Next Friday is Christmas where I am so I will post the next chapter of SG a day early (Thursday) next week. Thanks for your review Kaylee- we really appreciate the feedback. :) Hope we can keep up your interest. Enjoy the update!
Chapter Ten ~ Shock Wave
Charlie sat on a loveseat. She stared out a large window while her laptop loaded the file she had told it to open. Charlie quickly closed the lid of the laptop when her ex sat down beside her. Briggs' grin told on him. His eyes sparkled at her.
She raised an eyebrow, "What?"
"What do you mean 'what'?" he challenged playfully.
"What do you want?" Charlie clarified.
"Can't I just check in with you?" Briggs asked in mocked offence.
"Not with that face that says you want something," she snorted, "Just tell me."
"I'm a little concerned about you," Briggs said.
"I know I've been out a lot lately. It's just work," she replied.
Johnny entered the living room. He plopped down on the living room couch just to have his phone begin to ring. He threw back his head and closed his eyes. "Are you going to get that?" Charlie nudged.
Johnny sighed. He unlocked his phone and saw Mike's name come up as the caller. "What's shaking, Mikey?" Johnny answered, "I thought you were on a date Romeo."
"Johnny, I need your help," Abby said.
"Abby, what is going on?" his brow furrowed. And why was she using Mike's cell? This didn't bode well at all. Something was wrong, Johnny could feel it in his gut.
"Mike's been attacked," she relayed.
"What do you mean? Mike was attacked?" Johnny repeated.
Charlie's ears perked up. She and Briggs leaned closer to Johnny. They were the only three in the house. "Mike was attacked?" Charlie questioned.
"He was stabbed," Abby began to sob.
"Stabbed," Johnny relayed to Briggs and Charlie. Charlie was the first to her feet. Briggs was right behind her. The agents jumped up and went to get their shoes.
"The doctors have him back in surgery now- he told me to call you," Abby added.
"Which hospital are you at?" Johnny followed the suit of the other two.
"Diaz Memorial- it's the closest to my apartment," she answered.
"I'll find it," Johnny said, "Is Marsha with you?"
"No, last I knew she and Ray were at the apartment giving statements," Abby replied, "I rode with Mike."
"I'm going to bring some friends, ok?" Johnny coaxed.
Briggs and Charlie looked at Johnny with the same firm expression. Their coming was nonnegotiable.
"I think that would be a good idea- Johnny, I'm scared," Abby sobbed.
"We're on the way," Johnny promised.
After a quiet ride, the trio found the hospital and made their way inside. Abby was speaking with a detective and sketch artist in the emergency.
"That's him," she pronounced.
"Thank you, Miss Sinclair," the detective said, "If you can think of anything else or need something…"
"I have your card," Abby replied.
"Let's get this out," the detective said as he and the sketch artist stood up.
"Abby," Johnny greeted. Abby heard Johnny call her name and got to her feet. Once she stood, the blood staining her clothes became visible.
"Are you ok? Were you hurt?" Johnny questioned.
Abby shook her head. She looked down at her clothes. Her eyes widened in shock. "It's Mike's blood," the realization fully hit her in the face. Abby began to tremble.
"You should sit," Charlie came over and guided Abby back into the chair. If she didn't know better, she'd say the brunette was in shock.
"I held him until the ambulance arrived," Abby mumbled.
Charlie took the seat beside Mike's girlfriend. Charlie dug in her purse and brought out her tissues she offered one to Abby, "I'm Charlie."
"Abby," she took the tissue. Abby dabbed at the bottom of her eyes. Her mascara had run and had begun to dry again.
"Abby, this is Briggs," Johnny pointed to his boss.
"Hi," Briggs tipped his head. Abby responded in kind.
"You all are Mike's housemate's right? You all live together?" Abby questioned.
"Yeah," Johnny answered. Charlie nodded.
Briggs looked at her with a puzzled expression. Abby knew something. "I think we probably should talk somewhere a little more private," Abby requested.
"Why?" Johnny inquired.
"I know you and Mike aren't pilots," Abby admitted. Briggs' shoulders sagged. He looked over to Charlie. Charlie was trying to get a read on the other woman and how much she knew exactly.
"What else would we be?" Johnny attempted to right the cover.
"I've seen his badge," Abby replied.
Johnny rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm sorry…"
"There's no time for patronizing me with apologies," Abby cut him off.
"When did you find out?" Charlie asked.
"Does it matter?" Abby frowned, "I know how to keep my mouth shut."
"Why are you telling us this now?" Briggs asked.
"Mike nearly bled to death in my arms tonight!" Abby cried. She raked her hand over her face and blew out a ragged breath. Calming herself was not going to be easy. Abby lower her voice considerably, "It's not much of a jump to think the attack could be work related."
"It's logical," Charlie agreed.
"Look, I don't need to know what he was working on or who works with him- I just need someone down here to protect Mike," Abby said.
"We'll take care of that," Briggs promised.
"Thank you," Abby replied.
Mike's phone began to ring. Abby picked it up. Bello's name flashed across the screen. Abby looked at all three of Mike's friends in sequence. "It's that guy from the bar."
"You've meet Bello?" Johnny questioned.
"What should we do?" Abby inquired.
"You answer it," Briggs coaxed. If they had already met it wouldn't hurt.
"Me?" Abby gasped.
"You're the girlfriend, you'd have a more believable excuse for having his phone," Briggs replied.
Abby knew he was right. She connected before the call went to voicemail. "Mr. Bello?" Abby wiped her cheeks.
"Abigail," Bello replied, surprise evident in his voice, "Can I please speak to Michael?"
"He's in surgery right now," her voice cracked.
"Surgery? What's wrong?" Bello asked.
"Someone stabbed Mike," she answered.
Rage brewed up inside of him, but Bello kept his cool. "When did this happen?"
"About an hour and a half ago," Abby answered, "He was coming to pick me up for our date. He's been touch and go."
"That is awful. Is someone with you?" Bello inquired.
"A couple of my friends are here," Abby sniffled.
"Good, I am going to see what I can do about coming down to the hospital," Bello informed her.
Abby looked at Charlie. "I don't know what Mike's status will be from moment to moment," Abby warned.
"Have they told you how he's doing?" Bello asked.
Abby shook her head, "The doctor should be out soon."
"Let me know when he's put in a room," Bello requested.
"Right now I can only hope he makes it through surgery," she sighed.
"Is it that serious?" Bello inquired.
"It's bad," Abby replied, "I should go."
"If you need anything don't hesitate to call," Bello offered.
"Thank you," Abby hung up.
"You did great, Abby," Briggs said.
"He wants to come here," Abby informed them.
"Will you be ok with that?" Charlie inquired.
Abby didn't answer. She rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands.
A uniformed female officer approached the group. She carried a large paper evidence bag. "I've come to collect your clothes for evidence," the officer alerted Abby.
"Ok," Abby agreed still in a daze.
"If you'll come with me there's a bathroom this way..." Abby didn't even see the officer motion her hand. Her brown eyes seemed fixed, staring out into nothing.
Charlie showed the officer her badge, "I'm Agent Demarco with the FBI. I'll take her." The officer nodded and handed Charlie the bag and scrubs then left. Charlie wrapped an arm around Abby's fragile frame at her shoulders. Abby angled her face to look at Charlie. Charlie offered her an encouraged smile, "Ready?" Abby nodded in place of speaking. The two ladies stood and headed for the bathroom indicated by the officer.
Briggs watched Charlie leave with Abby. He turned to Johnny. "What do you know about Abby?" Briggs inquired.
"Not a whole lot, she's a law school graduate from back east- Maryland I think," Johnny replied.
"Got a last name for her?" Briggs put his hands in his pockets.
"Never asked," Johnny shrugged.
"You haven't ask? Has Mike mentioned it?" Briggs pursed his lips.
Johnny frowned, "What are you digging at?"
"I'm just thinking out loud," Briggs began.
"Abby's head over heels for Mike," Johnny said, "I mean, you see how broken up she is about this."
"Either that or she's a great actress," Briggs nodded. He couldn't trust just his eyes. Briggs had a house full of undercover agents to protect.