April 15

Manhattan, New York

"…This is the trial that all of New York has been waiting for," a voice echoed over the radio. "A month ago, Stella Bonasera of the New York Crime Lab and four other men shot up Pavel's Diner near New York University. That shooting killed five and wounded twenty, including John Boscorelli and Tommy Nieto…"

Danny scoffed irritably, "Do we have to listen to that?" he asked in an annoyed voice, stretching out on the couch where Lindsay and Hawkes were also sitting. "It'll upset John whenever he gets here."

"Flack should arrive soon with John and his parents," Mac spoke calmly as he sat in a hard-backed chair, uneasy about having to put a 17 year old through such an ordeal. "Stella should also arrive very soon."

Danny sighed, "I still can't believe Stella organized a shooting that killed five people and wounded twenty," he said in an anxious voice as he got up. "I guess we had better go take our seats."

While Danny, Lindsay, and Hawkes left the little quiet room to take their seats in the courtroom, Mac silently went outside and was shocked to see that Flack and Bosco were standing just outside the Boscorelli's vehicle, which was at the curb. Bosco and Flack looked at Mac expectantly.

"John and his mother are talking inside the vehicle," Flack spoke calmly. "John's nervous."

Mac nodded and sighed as the doors opened and both John and Danielle got out of the vehicle, "Morning," Mac said in a pleasant voice. "I know this will be difficult for you, but I know you…"

"You know I can manage it, sir," John finished softly, fixing his tie. "I can do my best."

Danielle sighed softly, "You don't have to stay after you give your testimony and are cross-examined," Mac said as the group walked into the courthouse. "I talked with the judge and asked about that."

"Great," John replied nervously. "I…I don't have to talk to Stella directly, do I?"

Flack shook his head, "When you're asked a question, you address the lawyer or the judge," he explained in a calm, reassuring voice. "The judge's name is Halstead and she's strict, but fair."

John nodded and took his diabetes bag from his mother before following them, Mac, and Flack into the courtroom. Reporters and video equipment lined the back wall while several people including Danny, Lindsay, Hawkes, Adam, Sid, Swersky, Sasha, Ty, Brendan, Grace, Carlos, Kim, Jimmy, Faith, and several others whom John recognized. His grandfather was also there acting in the capacity of a Victims Assistance advocate if he needed one and Grissom had made arrangements to pay his grandfather for serving an advocate for the trial. The reporters immediately began filming, but didn't speak at all.

Mac led the Boscorellis over to a table where a calm looking lawyer sat, "Lieutenant Davis recommended your counsel," he explained calmly. "Sharon Burns, this is the Boscorelli family."

"Since you're a minor, John, your parents can sit with us if they wish as long as they don't cause a distraction," Sharon spoke in an official voice. "I've read your statement and it's quite…"

John sighed, "I still can't believe it either, ma'am," he replied softly. "So much happened that day."

Sharon paused and gave John a look, "Lieutenant Davis also mentioned that you're a diabetic and the judge is also aware of it," she replied in a gentler voice. "If you start to feel off, just raise your hand and you'll be given opportunity to make sure your sugars are good. Now, this trial will take a long time…"

Just then, a side door opened and several uniformed guards escorted Stella, Donatello, Donny, Mark, and Javier into the courtroom, quickly securing them in sealed prisoner's boxes, "Since all five of them acted together, all five of them will be tried together," Sharon explained. "The families of those who were killed were given opportunity to attend, but they would rather watch the trial at home."

"My grandmother is at home with her son and my siblings," John spoke in a quiet voice.

Sharon nodded and sighed as Judge Halstead came out of her chambers, "All rise for the honorable Judge Halstead," a voice announced, prompting the crowd to quiet down and get to their feet.

"You may all be seated," Judge Halstead spoke briskly as she sat behind the bench. "Please."

Everyone sat and Judge Halstead opened a folder on her desk, "Today, we're here to hear the account of one John Boscorelli as to what happened at Pavel's Diner on the morning of March 12th of this year," she said in a formal voice. "He was a witness to a terrible event. John Boscorelli, are you in this courtroom?"

Sighing, John silently stood up, "Yes, ma'am," he replied in a quiet voice, giving her a serious look.

"Would you please come up and share your account of what happened that day?" Judge Halstead asked.

Swallowing hard, John nodded and made his way to the bench, sighing as he began to recall that day.

Miami, Florida

"How are things?" Ryan asked softly as he and Sofia sat together on a bench in the hallway of the courthouse after getting there early. "I know we talked, but I'm wondering how this will…"

Sofia sighed, "I want you to be a part of this baby's life, but we'll have to work the details out," she replied in a quiet voice, noticing that Ryan looked tired. "Did you want a snack before the hearing?"

"No, I can't hold food down," Ryan replied softly. "Chemo was yesterday and I'm still feeling…"

Sofia nodded just as Grissom and Horatio came down the hallway with a concerned looking Rick and Judge Stokes, "Good morning, Ryan and Sofia," Grissom spoke calmly. "You're a bit early."

"It's going to be a circus cause Warrick is a law enforcement officer," Ryan spoke quietly. "I…"

Grissom sighed, "Warrick was an officer, but he isn't anymore," he replied softly. "He was fired."

"Judge Stokes is a federal judge and this whole situation with you and Calleigh is a federal level case," Horatio spoke quietly. "He will be presiding over the hearing and I hope it's going to be short."

Judge Stokes sighed, "It depends on the cooperation of those involved, Lieutenant," he replied softly.

As Judge Stokes continued down the hallway, Grissom sighed, "Calleigh Duquesne is on her way and should be here soon," he explained softly. "I'm mainly here to make sure that this hearing doesn't turn into a circus because Warrick managed to manipulate the courts into throwing out the Vegas charges."

"Warrick isn't being allowed to testify, I thought." Sofia asked in a confused voice. "Is he?"

Grissom sighed irritably, "He isn't, but he is being allowed to sit in on the hearing," he replied.

"After what he did to Calleigh, the guy deserves to die," Ryan grumbled coldly.

Horatio looked stunned at Ryan's words, "Ryan, I think it's time to go take our seats," Rick stated.

Nodding, Ryan got up and followed Rick into the courtroom, "Catherine wanted to come out for this, but I told her no," Grissom spoke quietly once Ryan was out of earshot. "Who's running the Miami lab?"

"Jesse and Mister Sanders are there today," Horatio spoke calmly. "Mister Sanders is quite upset that Warrick got off on the charges in Vegas, so he volunteered to work and Jesse volunteered to assist."

Grissom nodded, "Eric and Alexx are coming to support Calleigh, but Alexx is on call," Horatio explained in a quiet, grim voice. "Emily is coming to present the evidence from Warrick's psychological assessment and Speed is going to stay for that, but then he is going to work. I'm going to be here the whole time."

"Of course Greg would be upset," Grissom reasoned. "Warrick tried to kill him in the desert."

Horatio sighed calmly and went into the courtroom. As Grissom was about to suggest to Sofia that they do the same, the back doors opened and Warrick, who was wearing a prison suit and shackles, was led down the hallway towards the courtroom by two officers, one of which was wearing a pair of tinted sunglasses. Warrick looked at Sofia and Grissom but said nothing; he knew he had angered them.

Once Warrick had been escorted into the courtroom, Grissom and Sofia went inside and sat in the gallery area. Soon enough, Calleigh, Eric, Tim, Emily, Alexx, Tommy, Diana, Jason, Kenwall Duquesne, and an anxious Jenny, and the rest of the crowd, including media, arrived. Everyone took their seats and Judge Stokes came out on to the bench. Everyone rose, but he motioned for them to sit.

"This whole case represents what happens when good people decide that being good isn't the kind of lifestyle they want anymore," Judge Stokes spoke sternly. "Warrick Brown used to be an upstanding citizen and a member of law enforcement, but he made choices that caused harm to others…"

Warrick, who was at a table, scoffed, "Are you sure you should be here?" he asked coldly. "You're Nick's dad and you shouldn't be here. I don't know how the system let you take on a case that you're…"

"Nick has nothing to do with this case, Mister Brown," Judge Stokes replied sternly, glaring at Warrick coldly. "You had those charges dismissed and this case has to do with your involvement in the kidnapping and torture of Calleigh Duquesne and Ryan Wolfe. Are you quite done protesting?"

Warrick scoffed, "If you interrupt me again, I will have you removed from this court and placed in a holding cell for the duration of the session today," Judge Stokes snipped. "Do I make myself clear?"

Giving Judge Stokes a dirty look, Warrick nodded and went quiet, "Now, I understand that a Detective Emily Speedle did an assessment and counseling session with you prior to this hearing," Judge Stokes said in a calmer voice, looking out over the crowd. "Detective Speedle, do you have those documents?"

Nodding, Emily stood up and walked to the front with the paperwork in hand, "Yes, sir, I apologize for not getting them to you before now," she spoke calmly. "Everything pertinent should be in there."

Judge Stokes nodded and took the folder, but as Emily walked back to her seat, Warrick suddenly got up and grabbed her. It was then that Horatio and Grissom noticed that the guards had never removed their sunglasses and the guards also seemed to be wearing bracelets tucked under long sleeve uniform shirts.

"Mister Brown!" Judge Stokes snapped as he stood up, frowning when the guards suddenly pulled guns.

Extremely protective of his wife, Tim shot to his feet and pulled his gun, "She's pregnant, Warrick," Grissom spoke coldly, horrified that Warrick was acting this way. "If you do this, you can't go back."

"Where are the guards that brought you from the prison?" Horatio asked in a stern voice.

One of the fake guards slipped a gun into Warrick's hand, "We have a way out, amigo," he said in an amused voice, grinning with yellowed teeth. "Those guards…they met with some misfortune."

"I'll blow your heads off," Tim snarled as he moved forward with his gun pointed at Warrick.

Warrick scoffed just as Emily suddenly belted him in the stomach and bolted as he released her to grab his stomach, "Go get Ivan!" the man with the yellow teeth snapped. "This isn't working!"

The doors suddenly burst open and Ivan Sarnoff came into the room with 15 other men and to Horatio's shock, Ray was one of them. Tommy, Diana, Kenwall, Jason, Jenny, and the other civilians all got on the floor while Horatio, Grissom, Calleigh, Eric, Ryan, and the other officers in the room drew their guns, hoping that Tim managed to protect Emily while they remained huddled near the door.

As the shooting began, Tommy managed to crawl out with Jason, Diana, and Jenny and several other civilians also managed to crawl out. Ivan and the others ignored the civilians, as they were unarmed.

Tim quickly hustled Emily towards the door, but Ray blocked them from leaving, "I rescue you from your ex and this is how you repay me?" Ray snarled coldly as he pointed his gun at Emily. "Now you…"

Swearing, Tim promptly shot Ray in the shoulder, prompting Ray to flee. Calleigh managed to avoid being hit and made it up to where Judge Stokes was hiding; she helped him out the back door.

Both expert shots, Horatio and Grissom made quick work of several of the men while Rick hustled Ryan and Sofia out past flying bullets. Without warning, however, Warrick fired his gun with the intent of hitting Grissom or Horatio, but Eric intercepted the bullet and they struck him hard in the head.

"ERIC!" Horatio shouted, horrified as his former brother-in-law fell to the floor unconscious.

Tim kissed Emily as Calleigh came rushing back into the courtroom after asking Judge Stokes to call for help, "Eric!" she exclaimed anxiously, frowning as Tim sent Emily running towards the exit door.

"WARRICK, STOP!" Grissom shouted angrily as Warrick raised his gun again. "Why are you…?"

Desperate to stay out of jail, Warrick fired his gun towards the door several times and hit several people that were trying to flee. As the civilians collapsed, he fired again and that bullet hit Emily in the abdomen, "NO!" Tim shouted angrily, his expression horrified as Emily collapsed to the floor.

Ivan swore, grabbed Warrick, and hustled him out of the courtroom, prompting the surviving gunmen to follow suit. Tim rushed over to Emily's side and Ryan, in shock at seeing his pregnant sister hit through the open and damaged door, suddenly dropped to his knees and began throwing up.

Manhattan, New York

Judge Halstead eyed John carefully, well aware that it had been difficult for him to give his account of what had happened that day. The courtroom was now absolutely still since John had recalled what happened because he had gone into detail about everything, even seeing some of the kids die.

"I think I'll call for a thirty minute recess," Judge Halstead spoke calmly, banging her gavel.

As noise filled the courtroom, John slowly got off the stand and went out a side door, needing to hide in the bathroom with his feelings before talking to anyone. He silently went into the handicapped stall, got his kit out, and quietly checked his blood sugar. It was low, but he wasn't surprised about that.

Sighing, John made himself a shot, pulled down his pants, and gave himself a shot in the thigh, quickly redressing before disposing of his used items, "Hey, John, are you in here?" he suddenly heard his father say in a worried voice. "Detective Flack said you took off towards the bathroom in a hurry."

"I just gave myself some insulin, Dad," John replied quietly. "My blood sugar was low."

Bosco sighed as John came out of the stall with his bag, "Yeah, I figured it was," he replied quietly. "The judge is going to let the 'dirty five' speak after the recess, so we can either go home or stay."

"The dirty five?" John asked in a confused voice. "Dad, that's not really a nice nickname…"

Bosco scoffed, "They don't deserve nice after what they did," he replied coldly.

"Um, I need a bit of a break from the courtroom, but I want to know why Stella did what she did," John replied in a shaky voice. "She beat me, shot Tommy, and organized the whole shooting and I want…"

As John spoke, he and Bosco left the bathroom and they noticed that Mac, Flack, Lindsay, Danny, Adam, Sid, and Hawkes were all gathered together near the door, "Hi," John spoke softly. "Um, Detective Taylor, you said that there was a quiet room where I could go if I didn't want to be in the courtroom?"

"You've given your testimony and you can go home if you want, John," Mac replied kindly.

John nodded, "I want to know why she did it," he replied quietly. "I still don't understand why."

"Sometimes, there isn't an answer," Lindsay spoke in a quiet voice. "Can we talk privately, John?"

Deeply confused, John followed Lindsay over to a nearby bench where they sat together, "When I was a teenager, I witnessed this horrible crime back in Montana where my friends were all killed and I survived because I was in the bathroom," Lindsay spoke softly. "I could never figure out why it happened, but I ended up testifying against him and he went to jail. I know, though, why Stella's angry at you…"

"Why?" John asked in a confused voice. "We got along at first and then all of a sudden, she…"

Lindsay sighed, "I was a replacement for someone who was fired by Mac for breaking protocol and was then later killed by a violent person she was investigating," she explained quietly. "Stella first welcomed me with open arms, but then she began to resent the skills and smarts I brought to the lab, especially when a bomb went off that injured Mac and Flack. She thought I could have done more to help…"

"Is that why you worked with others besides her?" John asked in a quiet voice.

Lindsay nodded, "She beat me up, shot my best friend, and organized a shooting that killed five people and hurt 20 simply because she was angry about all that?" John asked. "Didn't she get any help?"

"I don't know," Lindsay admitted quietly. "Stella…she's been through other things too and I'm not sure she got any help for anything. We all have to go through counseling because of this and we've all been investigated, but we're clean. If you really don't want to stay for the rest of the hearing…"

Just then, Danielle came out of the courtroom with Sully and walked over to John and Lindsay, "John, honey, I think we should go home so you can rest," she said calmly. "The judge mentioned to me that you were looking shaky on the stand and she thinks that it would be best for you to go home for now."

"I took some insulin cause my sugars were low, so I should probably eat," John replied softly.

Danielle nodded and John stood up, "If the judge needs to talk to you any more, she'll do it on a separate day," Sully said calmly. "Davis and Finney said they'd stick around to hear the rest."

Lindsay watched as John left with his parents and grandfather before she got up and went back over to the others, "John decided to go home," she explained softly. "Mac, would it be all right if I went back to the lab and caught up on some paperwork? To be honest, I really have had enough of this hearing."

Mac gave Lindsay a curious look, but nodded, "Do you need an escort back?" he asked softly.

"I'll go," Danny offered anxiously, quickly moving to Lindsay's side. "I…she needs to be safe…"

Mac raised an eyebrow, "All right, you two, what's going on?" he asked in a concerned voice.

Danny and Lindsay exchanged a look, "I'm pregnant," she admitted softly. "It's Danny's."

Miami, Florida

Numb with shock about what had happened, Tim found himself huddled against a wall near the judge's bench with his arms folded and his head down. Paramedics had arrived quickly and had rushed Eric, Emily, and over half of the injured civilians off to area hospitals. The ones who had died in the shooting were still scattered throughout the courtroom and the hallway with every coroner in Miami trying to deal with the collection of bodies. All Tim could think about, though, was how the life of his wife, unborn child, and friend now hung in the balance simply because Warrick couldn't handle taking responsibility.

"Speed?" Tim suddenly heard Horatio ask quietly. "I thought you would be on your way to the…?"

Tim sighed as he looked at Horatio, "They wouldn't let anyone ride along with her and said she'd be at Miami-Dade University Hospital whenever I could get away from here," he replied numbly. "Diana took Jason and Jenny and went over there to wait for news, but I figured you needed me here…"

"Well, I'd like you to find Ryan for me," Horatio spoke quietly. "He was vomiting in the hallway, but…"

Tim frowned, "I thought Stetler sent him to the hospital?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"Ryan refused to go and I haven't seen him since," Horatio spoke in a concerned voice.

Tim nodded and silently walked over to the door near the bench, as Grissom, Calleigh, Jesse, Walter, and Greg were doing their best to collect the evidence near the main door. As Tim neared the side door, he was surprised to see Robert and Natalia come into the courtroom and make their way over to Horatio.

"…We were out doing some shopping for the wedding and we got called in," Robert spoke quietly.

Swallowing hard, Tim silently made his way into the hallway and frowned when he heard voices nearby, "…They must have killed the guards with silencers," he heard Sofia say softly. "Nobody heard it…"

Tim walked down the hallway to the holding cells and saw Ryan, Sofia, Rick, and an anxious looking Judge Stokes standing over three male bodies wearing underclothes while a pile of prison uniforms sat bunched up in the far corner, "Officer Cavas, Officer Mandillo, and Officer Hereas of the Miami-Dade Correctional Facility," Ryan spoke quickly scanning their nametags. "This was pre-planned."

"I'll be speaking with the warden about this because this shouldn't have happened and I feel like Warrick Brown manipulated the correctional facility into giving him special favors," Rick grumbled.

Tim gazed at Ryan, "I thought Stetler ordered you to the hospital?" he asked sternly.

"I threw up a little, but my head's clearer now," Ryan replied coldly. "I can't go there…"

Tim looked surprised at Ryan's cold tone, "Speedle, I'll keep an eye on Ryan," Rick interjected. "You and Detective Curtis go find a coroner and tell them that there are more bodies back here, all right?"

Deeply confused, Tim nodded and led Sofia from the room, "Your wife…she was shot, right?" Sofia asked softly, remembering that Emily had been shot by Warrick. "She was hurt by Warrick, wasn't she?"

"She's at the hospital and I'm not sure what will happen to her or the baby inside of her," Tim explained in a numb, but patient voice. "The hospital…I haven't heard anything about either of them yet and my friend, Eric Delko, is also at the same hospital. A guy named Ray Caine shot him in the head…"

Sofia nodded and followed Tim into the courtroom, "H, Ryan found more bodies in the holding cell area and it looks like that's where the switch was made," Tim stated. "Warrick may have had favors…"

"Speed, I need people to go over to the hospital to get evidence and statements," Horatio spoke in a quiet, but clear voice. "I'd like you, Calleigh, and Doctor Grissom to make your way over there. Jesse, Robert, Walter, Natalia, Sofia, and Ryan will finish here and then go to the lab…."

Tim nodded, "Frank is already on his way to the hospital," Horatio spoke quietly. "Nice shooting."

"Emily's been on top of me cleaning my gun," Tim replied as Grissom and Calleigh came over to him.

Calleigh sighed, "Horatio, Ryan should go get checked out," she commented. "He looks unwell."

"Rick is supervising Ryan and he will ensure that Ryan is helped," Horatio spoke patiently as Sofia left the room with a couple of coroners. "There are other bodies in the holding cell area and Ryan and Sofia will be processing that scene. Rick is qualified to supervise evidence collection, so I've let him take charge."

Grissom looked at Calleigh and Tim expectantly, "Ready?" he asked in a kind, but official voice.

Manhattan, New York

By the time he, his parents, and grandfather got home, John was feeling tired, warm, and achy, "I need to go to bed," John spoke in a quiet voice, crossing his arms. "I think I'm coming down with something…"

"Or it could be the stress of things," Danielle spoke gently, feeling John's face. "You're warm."

Bosco frowned, "Go get into pajamas and into bed," he ordered. "I don't think you have the flu, but I think your sugars aren't good today because the trial is going to be stressful. I know you want to follow it, but I want you to just take it easy today. If you're not any better later, you're going to a doctor."

"As I was talking about what happened, I just started feeling shaky," John spoke quietly, his expression tired as he suddenly leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. "I'm starting to feel shaky again."

Without warning, John collapsed to the floor unconscious, "He was giving himself a shot of insulin after he testified," Bosco spoke anxiously as he hurried over to the phone. "I'm calling an ambulance."

Danielle knelt down next to John's unconscious form and silently checked his blood sugar, "Tell then to put a rush on it," she spoke quietly. "His blood sugar's in the tank and it's been shaky for the last two weeks. He's been up before the sun, out the door early, and the stress of everything..."

"Pre-trial statements, finals at NYU, talks with the FBI, having to recall the events to NYPD, the DA, and anyone else who needed to hear it," Sully grumbled as Bosco was on the phone. "He's 17 and…"

Danielle sighed, "Dad, I had John when I was 14 and he's had to grow up a lot faster than I would have liked because Edward robbed him of his innocence," she replied crossly. "I'm not going to scold him for the paths he's had to walk because others wanted to be stupid. Maurice, where's the ambulance?"

"What's going on?" Yelina asked as she came out of her and Sully's room. "Nicolas, Michael, Emily, and Maritza are all sleeping and your voices might wake them. What…why is John passed out on the floor?"

Bosco sighed, "Paramedics are on their way," he replied. "The stress destroyed his blood sugar."

Yelina nodded and sighed quietly just as the computer beeped, "Looks like there's a new police alert," Bosco said as he wandered over to the computer. "It looks like there was a shooting at a courthouse…"

Bosco frowned as he read the alert, "The shooting was done by Warrick Brown, Ray Caine, and several others including a guy named Ivan Sarnoff," he read anxiously. "Both civilians and officers were injured."

"Ray?" Yelina asked in a trembling, anxious voice. "Does it list who exactly was injured?"

Bosco sat at the computer and Yelina hurried over to him, "Eric Delko and Emily Speedle of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab were injured," she spoke in an anxious voice. "Emily…she's seven months pregnant…"

Sirens filled the air, "Paramedics are here," Bosco said, peering out the window. "Looks like Grace and Holly are working together today while Kylie's in school. At least we know we can trust them."

Yelina silently took the cordless phone off the kitchen counter and silently locked herself in her room without looking at anyone, "Yelina," Sully said anxiously as there was a knock at the door.

Danielle sighed as she got up and opened the door, allowing Grace and Holly to come in with their paramedic equipment and a gurney, "John's been having a hard time for the last two weeks because of everything that's been going on," Danielle explained as Grace and Holly gaped down at John.

Holly nodded and knelt down, "I checked his sugar and it was low at the courthouse and he gave himself a shot, but it must have dropped again," Danielle explained softly. "John testified in court today."

"I guess there's a schedule of who's testifying when," Holly replied as she got to work taking John's vitals. "Every single survivor's going to have to testify and it's going to take a couple of weeks."

Danielle nodded, "Tommy's been seeing a counselor while he's in hospital and he wants to keep going when he gets released," Holly explained softly, frowning when she saw Sully approach the closed door.

"Yelina, what are you doing?" Sully asked quietly as he knocked on the door. "Are you okay?"

Miami, Florida

Miami-Dade University Hospital was crowded and most staff were busy dealing with those who were injured in the shooting, but there was a crowd of people also in the waiting area. Grissom, Tim, and Calleigh took in the chaos as they walked up to the admit desks, all of whom had their hands full.

"Excuse me, we're looking for information," Calleigh spoke formally. "We're with the Crime Lab."

One of the clerks looked at the group, "Speedle, I saw your wife," she said softly. "She's upstairs."

"Do you know how she and the baby are?" Tim asked quietly. "She was shot along with Delko."

The clerk moved to a computer and typed information in, "I haven't heard anything on Delko, but I know that your wife delivered prematurely in the ER," she explained. "Says here your son is in the NICU."

Calleigh covered her mouth and Tim blinked, "My son?" Tim asked softly. "The baby's a boy?"

"Emily…Emily is in the OB unit," the clerk continued nervously. "If you want to see her."

Numb with shock, Tim silently made his way to the elevator, rode it up to the OB floor, and silently made his way to the nurses station, stunned when he saw Alexx there, talking to another doctor.

"Alexx, the desk clerk downstairs said Emily was up here," Tim spoke in a numb, faint voice.

Alexx nodded and gave Tim a hug, "Your son is in NICU and he's being well taken care of," she explained softly, holding on to him as they walked. "The bullets made him come a little early, but he's stubborn like his parents and I'm sure he'll be okay in time. Emily took most of the damage from the bullets."

Suddenly, Alexx stopped outside of a room and Tim sighed when he saw that Emily was in bed with her eyes closed and hooked to IV's and machines, but she wasn't intubated, "It was too dangerous to sedate Emily before surgery, but she's on good medication. Timmy, honey, they had to do a hysterectomy…"

Tears filled Tim's eyes, but he blinked them back, "Doctor Grissom and Calleigh are downstairs and they're here to get evidence and statements," he managed to say. "Eric's status is also unknown…"

Without waiting for a reply, Tim silently went into Emily's room and saw that the bed was oversized, most likely to give Emily extra comfort. He silently lay down on the spare space and touched her arm.

Sensing that Tim was there, Emily groggily leaned into him as much as she could and felt his gentle arms slide around her injured body. As she felt her true love holding her, Emily drifted back into a sleep.

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