Title: What the heart wants
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

As a hospital room blurrily came into focus for Sam so did fear as her consciousness returned. She was disorientated, dazed, her memories sketchy. Her hands automatically flew to her stomach. Oh God was something wrong with the baby? Her last strong memory was of the fear intensified and Sam knew that this was a panic attack She sat bolt upright her breathing labored her eyes wide.

"Easy."A familiar voice said from Sam's left and a hand rested on her shoulder. "Take it easy, Sam. You're safe, you and the baby are okay. You're okay."

Sam turned to find Berto standing by her bed looking at her worriedly. The young Hispanic looked pale, tired and stressed. His shoulder length dark hair fell loose to his shoulders and he had a light beard. As Sam focused on Berto more memories came flooding back. None helped the panic attack. She saw Berto hit the nurse's call button. He was still talking to her but Sam wasn't hearing it. She was reliving the collision, the armed men she'd seen as they came along side in the other SUV, the fear in Eddie's gaze as he drew out his own gun. Eddie….he wasn't here….why wasn't he here?

"Ms. Swift."A new voice demanded drawing Sam's attention forward. "I need you to take slow deep breaths. Your blood pressure is rising and we need to get it back under control."

Sam saw the source of the voice was a young doctor in his early thirties. Brown hair, blue eyes, wire rimmed glasses, athletic build. He was standing nearer to Berto than she'd first realized. There were two nurses in the room also.

"Ms. Swift, that's it."The doctor continued. "Nice slow even breaths. You're safe here. We're going to take good care of you."

Another round of slow breathing and Sam finally felt her heartbeat start to calm back to normal. Her hands were no longer shaking.

"That's good, real good."The doctor stated with a smile. "I'm Dr. Peter Bailey….."

"Where's Eddie?"Sam demanded looking straight at Berto. "Was he hurt?"

Berto swallowed hard and looked at Bailey and then back at her and then back at the doctor. Sam had seen that look on the assistant's face before when he didn't want to deliver bad news. Finally Berto seemed to gather courage and he met Sam's gaze directly.

"He was taken."Berto said angrily. "Kidnapped."

At those words Sam's world fell away. The room spun and she fainted.

Berto cursed as he saw Sam's eyes roll back and her body go limp. He caught and steadied her before Bailey or the nurses could reach Sam. Gently Berto eased the actress back onto the bed and the pillows. He looked anxiously on as Dr. Bailey and the nurses leapt forward to examine their patient. At that moment the door opened and Detective Christine Rollins entered. She hesitated seeing the commotion and the worried expression Berto knew was on his face.

"What's wrong?"Chris asked as she walked towards Berto keeping out of the medical staff's way.

"She fainted."Berto explained quietly. "Sam had just woken and freaked and finally calmed down but then realized Eddie wasn't here. I shouldn't have told her yet, but I didn't see any way out of it."

"She would've found out, best it came from someone she knew."Chris soothed placing a gentle hand on Berto's left shoulder.

"I need both of you to leave."Bailey ordered not looking from his patient.

"Is she alright?"Berto asked worriedly.

"Will be if we can keep her calm."Bailey replied curtly. "I'm guessing the kidnapping victim is the baby's father?"

"Yes."Chris confirmed quietly. "They were run off the road."

"The news is saying he's a private investigator?"One of the nurses inquired.

"Yes."Berto answered.

The doctor turned and saw Chris's detective badge pinned to her belt.

"The situation is going to make treating my patient difficult."Bailey began as he ran a hand through his hair. "Understandably she's going to want to know the latest details, but her health and the baby's health is my priority. I will censor anything I think will put them in danger."

Berto swallowed hard and exchanged a fearful glance with Chris. He'd had family members who'd had problems with blood pressure during pregnancy. Until Eddie was found safe and sound and Berto refused to believe otherwise he felt it was his duty to look after Sam.

"Whatever you need us to do."Berto confirmed.

"Leave your contact numbers at the nurses's station."Bailey replied with a nod. "We'll update you."

With a last glance at Sam's pale still form Berto followed Chris out of the room. After stopping at the nurses's station Chris and Berto walked to the elevator. As they waited Chris turned to face him.

"Reason I'm here."The detective said grimly. "We found both of the SUV's used in the attack abandoned near West Hollywood. Both had been reported stolen two weeks ago from Las Vegas."

"Damn."Berto swore. "Prints?"

"Techs are still working on them."Chris said as the elevator arrived and they stepped into the empty space. "I'm on my way to pay a visit to Deacon."

"You think he's behind this?"Berto asked.

"Top suspect."Rollins replied grimly. "If he is….Berto you may want to brace yourself the odds of finding Eddie alive…."

"No!"Berto nearly shouted and he was grateful they were the only ones in the elevator. "If anyone can make it out of this; it's Eddie."

"I hope you're right."Chris replied softly. "I really do."

When the elevator reached the lobby Berto and Chris walked out to the parking lot in silence. A chill washed over Berto as he thought of the crooked judge's track record. He tried to shake away the dark thoughts. They'd taken Eddie alive when they could have shot both of them. That had to mean something. As he got into his car a few minutes later Berto realized it did mean something; it meant hope.