Brother's Keeper: Chapter 10

By: The Confused One

A/N: Yes, finally, here's the chapter. I really do have several other chapters of other stories almost done. Thank you for hanging in there, and please enjoy and remember to review. Thanks.

Carolyn sat in a chair in the corner of Bobby's hospital room. She was watching Alex, who was seated beside Bobby and holding his hand. After seeing Alex in the chapel, Carolyn had never been more relieved to have gotten good news. Now he just had to wake up.

Looking over at Mike, she noticed the dark look in his eyes as he looked from the IVs, Bobby, and Alex over and over again. Carolyn could tell that seeing Bobby this still and thinking about the story Alex had told them was getting to him. He needed a distraction, something to keep him from stewing. Deakins had just gone to get them all some coffee, and Carolyn decided to take the opportunity to ask some questions. She had a feeling that Alex had only given them the bare bones about what she knew, and Carolyn wanted the full story, and she was hoping that with Deakins out of the room, Alex would open up. "Alex, it was David that Bobby shoved against the gun lockers that day, wasn't it?"

Alex swallowed hard. Without looking at Mike or Carolyn, Alex kept her tone even. "Yes, it was."

This got Mike's interest. He had suspected as much, but he hadn't pushed it because Alex had left it out of her story. He finally asked, "You left that part out."

Alex closed her eyes. She knew she had to tell them everything. She needed their help. She didn't trust the detectives that had been at Bobby's apartment. Taking a deep breath, her voice continued to be calm and almost lifeless as she confessed, "Because I'm protecting…everyone. I wasn't at the hospital this morning just to check on David." Her voice took a little bit of an edge as she finished, "I needed to talk to Bobby. I needed to try to make him understand. I still need…I need him to know I love him, that I'm not going anywhere."

Carolyn closed her eyes. They had talked about Alex' feelings before, and Carolyn had spent some time trying to convince her to finally talk to Bobby about it, but she had gotten nowhere with it. She was now suddenly worried that something had gone wrong in that conversation. Looking at Mike, she realized he was thinking much the same thing. It occurred to her that Bobby must have talked to Mike about his feelings for Alex. She hesitated and finally asked, "You two finally talked about it?"

Alex shook her head and laughed bitterly. She explained, "Sort of. I couldn't give him what he needed last night, and I couldn't let him give me what I needed." Choking back more tears, she continued, "Last time David was in the city, Bobby tried to help. He set up a raid on the guys that David owed money to. Shane died in that raid. Bobby has spent years holding that back from me. He spent the last few days pushing me away, trying to protect me. It took over the discussion about…us."

Mike looked at Carolyn in shock. It was the last thing either of them expected. Finding her voice, Carolyn ventured, "Oh, God. Alex, what…"

Taking a shallow breath, Alex refused to cry again. She had to get the story out. Then she could break down and cry again, if it came to that. "I did the worst possible thing I could have done when he told me. I took off. I did what I thought I needed, not what he needed. I was selfish. Knowing him…he must think I hate him right now. He almost died thinking that. I almost lost him without making sure he understood it wasn't him. I could never hate him."

Mike balled his fist up again. He tried to remind her, "Alex, look at him. Don't think about what almost happen. He's going to be OK."

Alex shook her head. Finally letting go of his hand, she wiped away the tears that escaped. Turning to face Mike, she replied, "You didn't see him lying in all of that glass. For a moment…I thought I had lost him." Turning back to Bobby, Alex let a couple of tears trickle down her face. Taking his hand again, she needed the connection to him. She continued, "I shouldn't have left. I got scared. Staying meant letting him in: totally and completely. I tried to convince myself that I was just worried about upsetting the balance of our relationship, but almost losing him…I know I was wrong. I'm afraid of losing him, too. After Shane, I swore I'd never let anyone in like that again. I wouldn't go through that pain again. I wouldn't lose someone else I loved. Then Bobby came into my life. He worked his way into my heart, and I worked my way into his. I couldn't face that fear last night. After…everything, I couldn't risk it happening again. We really are two pathetic people, too afraid to face our feelings."

Carolyn tried to assure her, "But you've talked now. He's going to be OK. You two will work it out when he wakes up."

Alex snorted. She dryly replied, "If only it were that easy." After a moment, she let go of Bobby and turned back around. Focusing on what she could do something about, she replied, "I really…I need a favor."

Mike beat Carolyn to the punch, "Anything."

Alex explained, "I need this guy caught. I want him in jail. It's the only way to protect Bobby from them. I want a piece of Kane and his friends like I've never wanted anyone else, but I don't trust any of the detectives on this case. Mullen and Harrison practically accused me of doing this to Bobby."

Mike instantly interrupted, "What? They think you did this to Bobby?"

Alex sighed. She clarified, "They didn't accuse me outright, but Mullen alluded to it, and it just means they're wasting time. Kerrigan and Davis probably don't even know anything else has happened. None of them have probably talked to David. I can't do it myself, and I need people I trust…"

Carolyn suddenly understood where Alex was going with this. She offered, "You want Mike and me to find these guys?"

Alex nodded slowly. She was desperately hoping they wouldn't say no. After a moment, she met Carolyn's eyes and replied, "Yes, I do. I can't do it myself, and I know you guys. I know you'll find Kane and his guys."

Mike didn't even hesitate. With a nod, he agreed, "We'll do what we can."

Alex nodded. Relieved, she turned back around. Taking Bobby's hand for the third time, she replied, "Thank you, both. I, uh, would start with David. Get Kane's full name and any information from him. I didn't call him. He doesn't know anything has happened. Kind of hoping you two can…fill him in. I can't talk to him right now. I can't deal with…him."

Carolyn nodded. She assured her, "We can do that, too." Standing up, she replied, "Do you want us to wait?"

Alex shook her head. She insisted, "No. God only knows where this guy has gone by now. Just find them. They can't get away with this."

Before Mike of Carolyn could say a word Deakins walked back in carrying four cups of coffee. Sensing the tension, he asked, "Did I miss something?"

Wiping the tears away, Alex took a deep breath. The last thing she wanted was for Deakins to see how upset she was. She beat Mike and Carolyn to a response. "No. We're…just waiting."

Carolyn watched Deakins nod slightly. Deciding to take advantage of the lull, she motioned to Mike and replied, "We, uh, have a couple of things we need to do. We'll be back in a few hours, Alex."

Watching two of his detectives slip out of the room, Deakins sighed and pulled one of the four cups out of the box. Handing it to Alex, he assured her, "A pound of sugar, just like you like it."

Alex gave a ghost of a smile. Apparently, Bobby wasn't the only one who knew how she took her coffee. Sipping it, she mumbled, "Thanks."

Sitting down, Jimmy watched her. He was left wondering how he had missed it for so long. He silently mused that it served him right for eavesdropping. He shouldn't know what he now knew, and there was no way to pretend that he didn't. Trying to figure out how to broach the subject, a voice from the door startled him, "Alex?"

Looking up, Alex met Lewis' eyes. She watched him walk in. To her, he seemed shaken, completely unlike she'd ever seen him before. She tried to calm him down a little, "He's going to be OK."

Lewis always hated hospitals, and he hated the machines in hospitals even more. Finding himself standing over the bed and right beside her, Lewis nodded and replied, "I know. He's just…never this still."

Alex whispered, "Yeah." After a moment, she added, "I can't help but think…if I had been there, if I had gotten there sooner…"

Perking up, Jimmy insisted, "Don't go there. Don't do that to yourself. You didn't know, and you did everything you could. You don't know what would have happened if you had been there."

Alex bitterly replied, "He would have stood a chance. The only reason he's not dead right now is because they didn't want him dead. It wasn't anything that I did." Truth was: that was what scared her most. She hadn't saved Bobby from them. She would have been too late if they had wanted him dead, and she knew the only reason they hadn't killed him was because they hadn't gotten what they wanted: Bobby's money, or more accurately, Frances Goren's money. They'd be back, and that thought just pissed her off. There was no way Alex was going to let those guys anywhere near Bobby again. Mike and Carolyn had to find them.

Putting his hand on her shoulder, Lewis broke into her thoughts, "He's going to be OK. You said it yourself."

Shaking her head, Alex added, "He won't be till we find these guys and stop them, for good. As long as there's the possibility of them coming after him again…"

The silence that fell over the room was deafening. They all knew she was right. After a minute, Deakins sighed. It was time to tip his hand. "Good thing Logan and Barek aren't going to rest until these guys are found."

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Looking through the file, Joey laughed. He couldn't believe his luck. This was better than he could have possibly imagined.

Looking at him, Chris demanded, "What the hell is so funny?"

Joey shook his head and explained, "This is priceless. She's not just some cop he knows. She's his partner, and she's our ticket to getting our money."

John and Chris exchanged looks. Now they were interested. John finally asked, "Alright, what's the plan?"