A/N: I know it takes me forever to update this story, but I'm glad you guys are sticking with me on this. See the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you guys enjoy this story, and please review! :)

Chapter 9: Turn Your Head and Look…

He walked into his office early in the morning, looking at the mound of files on his desk. He inwardly groaned. He hated paperwork, but he had been avoiding it since he came back from vacation. Plus, there was a lot going on around the lab that he needed to attend to. It seemed like something was going wrong in everyone's lives all at once, and Mac knew that he had to be there for all of them.

It was his duty.

He sat at his desk, starting to sift through the files and paperwork on his desk when a soft knock on the glass caught his attention. He looked up to find a quiet, somber Hawkes standing there. Mac waved him in, reasoning that the paperwork had waited this long.

"I didn't realize how much this place gossiped," Hawkes said quietly, sitting across from Mac. Mac rested back in his chair as confusion spread across his features.

"What do you mean?" he asked the former M.E. Hawkes shrugged.

"I got into a bit of trouble, and I thought no one knew about it, but I guess everyone did."

Mac nodded. "The lawsuit. Things like that are big news, Sheldon. Everyone here's watching out for everyone else. Including you."

"Yeah, I know," Hawkes sighed. "I guess I just didn't think about it is all."

"That's okay. As long as you're doing okay."

"I'm doing better now that it's over. We settled last week, in my favor, because I didn't do anything wrong."

"Easier to hear than feel," Mac mused. Hawkes snorted a half-bitter chuckle.

"Definitely," he agreed.

"I know this may not seem like much to hear, but you can't let this get to you. You have done nothing wrong. Even the courts agree, which should bring you some comfort. I know it's hard to ignore that nagging feeling once the seed's been planted, but you'll make it through. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Still easier to hear than feel, but I'm getting there. I just… I wanted to make sure you were aware of what was going on and that the courts are with me."

"I appreciate that. Take care of yourself, Sheldon."

"I will."

Mac watched Hawkes stand up and leave the room with a sad smile on his face. Hawkes always was the type to deal with his problems on his own and just make mentions to those around him that he was going through something. He would be fine on his own. Lindsay, on the other hand…

Mac's thoughts reverted back to the conversation he had with her last week. Since then, she seemed to be doing a bit better. It wouldn't be long, though, before she wouldn't be able to hide that she was pregnant. When that happened, there would be a lot of questions. Especially since Danny wasn't the father.

But Mac would support her through it, as would Danny. She was a member of his team. He wasn't going to leave her out. It went against his code to leave a man down. Which was why he needed to talk to Adam today.

He had been letting Stella handle Adam for the most part, knowing that the two of them were entering into rather uncharted territories. But he was okay with that, because he didn't care what his employees did, as long as it made them happy and didn't interfere with their work.

And, if anything, Stella was making Adam be more focused.

He stood up, reasoning to get that done before he forgot or it got further into the day. He'd been meaning to have this conversation with Adam for weeks now, and hadn't been able to. Today he'd rectify that.

He walked into the DNA lab, finding Adam bouncing his head along to the music in his headphones. Mac hadn't said anything about Adam using his headphones in the lab, because it helped Adam focus and keep him together. Because no one really liked interrupting someone with headphones on.

Mac put his hand gently on Adam's shoulder, watching as the younger man jumped slightly. He pulled one of the sides out of his ears, turning to Mac. "Hey, Boss," he said softly. "I, uh, I don't have anything for you."

"I know," Mac said, sitting down next to him. Adam nodded, putting down the pipette in his hand and turning to him.

"So, what's up? Did I do something wrong, or…?"

"No, you didn't. I just wanted to see how you're doing."

"I'm… I'm getting better. Taking it a day at a time."

"Still not sleeping?"

"Not as much as I used to."

"Still blaming yourself?"

"Not as much as I used to."

Mac nodded as Adam looked down at the lab bench in front of him, sighing softly. "You know, you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Adam said. "I promise, Mac, I'm doing better. Just… some days are tougher than others, you know? I mean, I'm sure you know. It's just… it's weird. I still keep feeling like there was something I could've done. I mean, I know I didn't physically kill her. Doug did. But… my silence… my inability to take care of her wounds… I still think that if I'd done something different, she'd still be here."

"Have you mentioned this to…"

"Yeah. There's not really much anyone can say or do to get me to realize that's not the case. Everyone I know's been trying. And I appreciate it. I'm trying to grasp it. I just… can't, for some reason."

Mac put his hand on Adam's shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "You'll figure it out."

"Yeah, I know. I'm doing better."

Mac smiled slightly, and Adam smiled back. "I'm here if you need me."

"I know. Thanks, Boss."

"No problem." Mac gave Adam's shoulder another squeeze before standing up and leaving the lab tech to his music and his work.

*~*~*~*

Flack wasn't moving.

He was tired, as the events of the past week caught up to him. His worry for Sam had spawned another fight between the estranged siblings in the hospital. He was worried, and she didn't want him there. She yelled at him for rushing to the hospital, saying that she was fine and that she didn't need him.

So he argued back that he was sorry he actually gave a damn what happened to her.

She yelled at him that he didn't care about anyone but himself, that he was a horrible brother, and that she didn't need him or his fake sympathy. And rather than argue back with her, he walked out.

Which was the worst thing he could've done.

Ever since he left her, he called her once to apologize and offer his support. She hadn't answered, and he wasn't sure she even got the message. The next time he tried calling back, he found out her phone had been shut off. He had been concerned about how she was paying for this, but didn't want to say anything.

She was sure she didn't need him.

He sighed, rolling over and picking up the phone. He called down to the precinct, letting them know that he wouldn't be in today. He had caught a bug, and couldn't get out of bed. After hanging up, he closed his eyes, trying to will himself into sleeping, which was becoming a more and more extensive task each time he tried to do it.

He just couldn't rest comfortably knowing that things weren't right between him and Sam. Normally, this wouldn't bother him, but knowing that she was sick… that she could be dying… he just couldn't stay mad with her. He wanted to make sure she was going to be fine.

Someone knocked on his door, and he managed to get himself out of bed to answer it. It was probably something important. He opened the door to find a crying, disheveled Sam standing before him.

"Donny," she said softly, reaching out to him. He put his arms around her, holding her in his doorway without a word. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," he said softly, rubbing her back softly. "It's okay."

"I hate to put you out, but I got no where else to go. I can't work anymore… I've been trying for the past three weeks, and I can't do it. I can't pay my rent, my bills… I've been paying for my treatments, and I can't afford to pay for everything."

"It's okay. You're welcome to stay here. I'll help you as much as I can."

She nodded, squeezing him tightly. "I love you, Donny."

"I love you too, Sam."

She finally let go of him, walking into the apartment. He took her things in from the hallway as she lay down on the couch. Her already thin frame had shrunk since the last time he had seen her. She was pale, and her eyes were red from crying. His heart broke for her, imagining the hell she was going through right now.

"Can I get you something?" he asked her softly.

"No," she replied quietly, sleepiness evident in her voice. "I'm fine. Thank you, though."

"No problem. I'll make up the other room for you."

"Okay."

He walked into his guest room, putting her bags on the floor for her to unpack when she felt like it. He quickly made up the bed before walking into the living room to find her asleep on the couch. Frowning, he picked her up with ease and brought her into the other room, tucking her into bed like he used to when she was younger. She muttered a sleepy thanks and he kissed her on the top of the head before leaving the room.

He went into his own bedroom, sinking into the bed as a new level of worry hit him. How the hell were they going to pay for her medical bills?