Chapter 10

It took some convincing, but finally Mike and Carolyn left Andy in the care of the hospital staff and went back to the hotel. They undressed and dropped into the bed together, exhausted.

"Thank God he's all right," Carolyn said.

"Amen to that," Mike agreed.

"Did he tell you what happened?" she asked. "She sideswiped them on the freeway."

"She told Darren she was going to help them, he helped get Andy up to her car, then she pulled a gun on him and made him carry Andy to the basement."

"With his arm like it was," Carolyn said, shaking his head.

"Darren's officially adopted," Mike announced.

Carolyn slipped her hand into his. "Andy called 911," she said. "He had to climb the wall to get a signal."

"There's a service project for you—save your best friend from a psycho kidnapper. He should get honorary Eagle Scout, him and Darren both!"

They turned together and embraced. Mike kissed her, and before he fell asleep, he muttered, "Thank God."

Andy wandered down the hall, pushing his wheeled IV pole along with him. He found Darren's room and entered. One wheel on the pole kept getting stuck, and it made an annoying screeching sound.

Darren was asleep, but the sound of the errant wheel woke him.

"Hey," Andy said, sitting down in a chair next to his friend.

"Hey."

"What'd they say about you?" he asked.

Darren lifted his wrapped arm slightly before laying it back down on his chest. "Broken. And it already started healing, so they have to break it again to set it."

"Aw, God, Darren, I'm sorry."

Darren grinned. "I don't mind. They gave me pain killers."

Andy shared a laugh with him. "Hey, Darren."

"Yeah?"

"My Dad told me… how you… carried me. Thanks."

Katie wanted to see the boys again before she went back to school, and her life. The Gorens arrived at the hospital together, and gathered in Andy's room.

He was dressed and waiting to go home, decked out in new jeans and a Yale t-shirt. The IV was gone, and he was sitting in the chair leaving his guests to either stand or lean against the wall.

"You look better," Katie said, and he grinned.

Mike watched the two kids he loved most in the world as they spoke. Then his eyes fell on his wife, who was watchful, but otherwise herself again. He looked over at Alex, and saw the quiet support she always gave the people she loved. When he looked at Bobby, he grew concerned. The man had aged a week overnight.

Mike stopped leaning against the wall and walked over to Bobby. He jerked his head in the direction of the hallway, mumbling "hey."

Bobby followed him out and walked with him down the hall.

"Anything new?" he asked his friend.

Bobby shook his head. "No. Why?"

"You look… I just thought maybe…"

Again, Bobby shook his head. "No, I just couldn't sleep."

Mike nodded and walked back with Goren. "I'm going to stay home with Andy today," he said. "Unless… Lichter needs my help."

Bobby nodded his understanding as they walked in to find Carolyn signing Andy's discharge paperwork. The boy was already on his feet, ready to go. They shared hugs all around, and then the group walked down to Darren's room.

Darren was asleep, and his parents didn't want to disturb him. They gave Andy hugs and shared their well wishes with everyone else. Katie asked them to tell Darren she had come to see him, and they promised they would.

It wasn't long before Bobby was at Katie's dorm, dropping both her and her mother off. He parked the car and got out, wanting one more hug from his daughter before he lost himself in his work.

"Be careful, Daddy," Katie said, her arms tight around his chest.

Speechless, he tightened his arms, hoping she knew how much he loved her. Finally they separated, and Bobby hastily retrieved the photograph from his binder in the car. "Uhm… this is her… yesterday. You'll keep your eyes out, huh?" He asked, handing the picture to his daughter.

She studied it carefully. "Yes, Daddy."

She turned to Alex, who was moving towards Bobby. "I'll come up in a minute," Alex told her little girl. Katie went inside, but watched her parents through the window. They embraced, then kissed. Alex put her hand on his cheek and spoke. He kissed her again. Katie watched as they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Her Dad got into the car and drove away.

She looked down at the picture in her hand, then up at her mother, who was just walking in. "You can't come between them," she said to the woman in the picture.

Hours later, in psychology class, her professor handed out an outline of the case studies he wanted the students to complete. Katie examined it carefully, then waited while the other students left the room.

"Professor Harbough?" She said sweetly. "I wanted to talk to you about this assignment."

"Yes, Miss Goren?"

"You know my parents have been career police officers."

"No, I didn't know that."

"My father is a profiler." The professor looked at her with interest. "I was wondering, do I have to use the case study you gave us, or can I research one of my own?"

He tapped the outline she was holding. "As long as you cover all the topics in there, you can study whomever you choose."

She smiled. "Thank you, Professor."