Chapter 12

everyone sat around the hospital room until it was time for them to go home. They bid their goodbyes and left for the night Mac however stayed. He did not want to leave Adam not when he needed him to most so he pulled his chair up to the bed and remained seated. It was an hour later when the nurse came in she smiled at the sight. Mac had his head lying on the bed his eyes were closed he had a hold of Adam's right hand their fingers intertwined as Adam's head was turned to the side he was fast asleep. They both were she smiled even more then she walked over to he machines she scribbled the information in her chart then left the room. The next morning Stella walked into the hospital and straight for Adam's room she entered and stopped dead in her tracks she couldn't help, but smile at the sight Mac was still in the same position from last night as was Adam she took out her camera and took a couple of pictures.

"Awe this is way too cute" She whispered to herself.

Mac stirred in his sleep he lifted his head opening his eyes his first sight was Stella who was just standing there grinning like a child on christmas. At first Mac was confused as to why she was grinning then he saw the camera he looked down then over to Adam's face then back up. He must have fallen asleep.

"Mac you have to see this picture you guys looked so cute" Stella said she walked over to him and showed him the picture he blushed and smiled.

"Wow I want a copy of it" Mac demanded she laughed and nodded.

"You got it"

it was quite for a bit until Mac broke the silence "So have you guys found him yet?" Mac asked Stella shook her head.

"No not yet" Mac let out a frustrated sigh Stella new when he got like this she was the only one who could calm him down "Mac were trying the best we can, but so far he has alluded us and we just cannot get a fix on him" Mac nodded.

"I know it's not your fault, but keep trying please he's bound to come after Adam again and I will not let that happen" Mac said Stella nodded.

"Neither will we"

"Stella I swear if he tries to touch Adam again or come anywhere near him I will shoot him" Mac said seriously Stella gasped in shock.

"Mac you know better then that" Stella said she was a little angry and disappointed that he would say something like this.

"I'm sorry, but I will not allow him to hurt Adam again. Even if it means going to jail the rest of my life for protecting him then so be it" Mac told her Stella stared at him. She got up walked over to Mac and did something that shocked both him and the team that happened to be standing there. She slapped him

"Stella why the hell did you do that for?" Mac asked shocked.

"For saying that and I'll do it again if you ever think or talk like that again" Stella yelled.

"Mac she's right" Lindsey spoke up. They looked over to the door way.

"How long have you guys been there?" Mac asked.

"Long enough to hear. Mac how could you even think or say something like that?" Danny asked he was disappointed in him.

"I..."

"We know you love him and wish to protect him in anyway possible, but Mac let's say you do kill him then where would Adam be? Huh? Adam loves you so much that when he thought you were dead I could see hear so much pain in his voice that I thought he was going to kill himself right then, but when I told him you were still alive Mac he found hope once again. I don't think Adam could handle you going to jail for killing the bastard who hurt him not to mention you probably would end up getting yourself killed this time" Danny pointed out he hoped this would sink in.

Mac looked at him then to Adam he sighed and shook his head "Your right, but I don't want anything happening to him. Not after I just got him back"

"And nothing will happen you just have to trust us" Flack said Mac nodded.

"I do I trust you all" Mac announced happily. They smiled in triumph.

"Good! Now why don't you go home get some rest and I'll keep an eye on Adam" Flack suggested.

"I..." Mac stopped looked down at Adam seeing him asleep he looked back up to Flack then to the others he smiled "I would feel better if two of you were watching him" Mac said.

"Ok then I'll help Flack watch over Adam" Danny announced.

"Ok that'll work" Mac said he stood and grabbed the keys from Flack. "I'll be back soon"

"But not too soon!" Stella said Mac gave her that look "Mac don't give me that look. You need your sleep; besides Adam is safe with two of us watching him"

"Ok" Mac turned to leave, but stopped turning back to his team "Flack, Danny remember to check every doctor and nurse that comes in and make sure that they work here and that they know them personally. This guy is smart and he'll do and try anything to get to Adam. I don't want to take that chance" they nodded.

"What about you?" Flack asked.

"Don't worry about me" Mac stated.

"Mac of course we'll worry about you. What if this guy finds out that your still alive and comes after you to get to Adam then what?" Jo said and asked.

"We'll cross that bridge when it comes, but as of right now my main concern is Adam. Keep him safe and do not leave or take your eyes off him unless one of you are still in here" They nodded once again and with that Mac turned and left.

"I'm glad he's going home to get some rest" Jo stated.

"I agree, but Hawkes I want you to take a few officers with you and make sure Mac does make it back to Flacks and keep an eye on him" Stella said Hawkes nodded and left.

Hawkes walked out of the hospital in time to catch Mac before he took a cab so he called out to him as his boss turned.

"Mac wait up" Hawkes yelled he ran and caught up with him.

"Hawkes what do you need?" Mac asked.

"I was told to accompany you back to Flacks and to make sure you made it safely. Oh and I was told to keep an eye on you" Hawkes answered.

"Hawkes thanks, but I'll be ok" Mac stated then the turned to get in, but Hawkes grabbed his arm.

"Will you? Mac if I were to attack you right now would you be able to fight me off?" Hawkes asked. Mac just looked at him "Yeah I didn't think so; so get your butt over to my car and we are leaving for Flacks boss or not you are not going to argue with me"

Mac stared at him then chuckled and nodded. That was his team for him no matter the situation they always take charge. That's what he taught them that even though he was the boss if something were to happen to him like right now that they would take charge and never allow him to argue if they new what was best for him so he smiled proudly at Hawkes.

"Ok" Mac said Hawkes straightened up and smiled.

"Good let's go" Mac climbed into the car and they left for the night.

Flack took a seat by the window as Danny took a seat by the door. They didn't want to take the chance on Thomas coming after Adam so they stayed on guard. Stella and the others have gone home for the night as they continued their search for Thomas. Flack had fallen asleep in the chair as Danny fought to stay awake, but lost as he too fell asleep.

The door to the room opened sometime after as someone dressed as a doctor came in the room was dark as he crept along towards his victim he had the sick smile plastered on his face. He grabbed a pillow from the nearest bed and crept slowly towards Adam he raised the pillow and placed it over his face Adam woke and struggled against the pillow trying to pry it off, but the guy was stronger. He released the pillow when someone yelled out.

"Hey what the hell?" Thomas looked over and found Flack standing quickly as he pulled his gun out Danny did the same he grabbed a chair and threw it at the two men and ran for the door.

Thomas made a quick get away as Flack chased him down the hall. He got on his CB radio and called it in.

"This is Det. Flack I am in pursuit of the suspect Thomas Marley I need back up asap" Flack yelled.

"Copy that Detective back up is on their way"

Flack continued down the corridor, but the lost sight of Thomas he quickly scanned the area, but having no luck he returned to Adam's room.

"Dispatch cancel that back up I lost him" Flack said angrily.

"Copy that. All units stand down"

Flack entered the room in time to see Danny soothing a shaking Adam. He grabbed the chair and sat down he looked at Adam then to Danny he had that guilty look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, but he got away" Flack said. Danny sighed and Adam clung to him more desperately then ever.

"Flack call Mac and let him know what happened" Danny commanded Flack nodded and took his cell out he dialed Mac's number and then waited.

"Taylor!" Mac answered after three rings.

"Mac sorry to wake you if you were asleep, but something happened and we thought you might want to know about it" Flack said.

"What happened?" Mac demanded.

"Thomas tried to kill Adam with a pillow he snuck in here, but he didn't get a chance to finish when we caught him! I chased him, but he uh...he uh got away again. I'm sorry Mac I tried" Flack stated he waited for the silence on the other end was concerning,

then finally what seemed like forever Mac spoke up "Adam's ok then?" Mac asked.

"Yeah he's ok a little shaken up, but ok" Flack said.

"I'm on my way back to he hospital I'll be there in a few minutes keep him safe at all cost" Mac commanded.

"Don't worry I will" Flack assured him.

"Thanks Flack. See you in a few" Mac said then hung up after Flack said goodbye.

Flack walked back into the hospital room grabbed a chair and sat down next to Danny. Adam looked at him and smiled Flack couldn't help, but grin back he shook his head. Sometimes Adam amazed him and now he could see what Mac saw in him. Young handsome smart and caring Flack sat stunned for a moment he couldn't believe that thought that popped up then started laughing Danny and Adam both looked at him.

"Sorry sorry, I'm laughing at myself" Flack said

"Ok about what though?" Danny asked.

"Nothing it's nothing" Flack waved his hand

"Come on Flack share what was sooo funny?" Danny pressed.

"Ok fine! I was just thinking to myself I know now what Mac see's in Adam" Flack said they looked at him curiously.

"And what do you think he see's in me?" Adam asked he had to know what Flack was thinking.

"He see's you! Funny, Handsome, Caring, Smart and Brave. Mac's lucky to have someone like you" Flack said honestly "And were lucky to have a friend like you too"

Danny stared at Flack in awe and Adam? Well he didn't know what to say. He was surrounded by friends who care for him and someone who loves him for him despite his flaws. Mac loved him even when he had been kidnapped, raped and tortured Mac still loved him as did his friends and he couldn't ask for better friends and boyfriend. Adam leaned his head back and sighed tears gathered up and he began to sob Flack and Danny were at his side in an instant.

"Adam? What's wrong bud?" Danny asked.

"I'm so ashamed of myself" Adam said.

"Why? What possible means do you have to be ashamed of yourself?" Flack asked.

"I'm surrounded by friends who loves and cares for me and I tried to take my own life" Adam stated Flack shook his head as did Danny.

"Adam believe me when I tell you that you have nothing to be ashamed about. If anyone went through what you went through then I can guarantee that they would do the same thing despite the number of friends they have. Trust me Adam it's understandable I've seen it happen plenty of times" Flack told him Adam stared at him then nodded "I'm just glad we got you help when we did. Adam we love you we love you a lot you bring joy to us and make us laugh even in the gloomiest of day's and well always be there for you no matter what"

"Flack's right Adam if you need help with anything don't hesitate to turn to us for that help ok? Or Mac either because that man loves you way too much to ever let you go" Danny stated.

Mac stood at the door way just listening to the conversation he smiled with pride as he watched his team become closer then ever before. Sure they get on each others nerves from time to time, but in a situation like this they always stick together and help each other out and he couldn't have asked for a better team then this. He cleared his throat causing them to jump in surprise as he smiled and walked over to them.

"Mac how much did you hear?" Danny asked.

"Enough" Mac answered "Adam babe never be afraid to ask us for help especially me like Flack said we love you and we'll always be there for you no matter what remember when you witnessed that girls murder?" Mac asked Adam nodded "Well when I found you to be the next target and you can ask Flack I practically broke every speed limit law there was just to make sure I got to you on time"

"It's true I thought I was going to die myself the way he drove" Flack joked they chuckled at him then Mac continued.

"It was then I realized that I have loved you for the longest time and the thought of you in danger scared me more the anything has ever, but at the time I was still in denial about my feelings and I'm sorry it took me this long to finally come to terms with it and admit that I loved you" Mac said.

"It's ok we have each other now" Adam said finally after a while Mac smiled and nodded.

"That's true" Mac lent down, but stopped he looked over at Danny and Flack "You don't mind if I kiss him now do you? Or would you rather wait outside if it makes you uncomfortable?" Mac asked both Danny and Flack looked at each other then shook their heads.

"Nah your good! We've seen it before not by choice, but it doesn't bother us" Danny assured him Mac nodded and kissed Adam.

After a few minutes they broke apart when someone cleared their throat they looked over to see Stella standing there with a smile as was Lindsey, Hawkes and the rest of the team. They came walking in leaving the hall way clear for view. Adam looked at his friends and for some reason his eyes got drawn to the hall and there he saw Thomas standing a few feet away smiling his eyes went wide as he started to back away his behavior worried Mac and the rest.

"Adam? Adam what's wrong what is it?" Mac asked. Adam pointed out into the hall.

"T-Thomas" He stuttered everyone immediately turned and looked, but Thomas wasn't out there they turned back to Adam.

"Are you sure you saw him?" Lindsey asked Adam nodded.

"Yeah I swear he was standing there smiling at me" Adam said then he looked at Lindsey "You think I'm lying don't you?" Adam asked hurt.

"What? No Adam no I would never call you a lair if you saw Thomas then I believe you" Lindsey said assuring her friend.

"Flack I want uniforms all over this hospital if Thomas comes back I want him taken down for good" Mac ordered Flack nodded he got up and grabbed his phone calling in. "Don't worry Adam we'll keep you safe" then they began talking.

!

outside Thomas paced back and fourth how was he going to get Adam now? He was being well protected so there was no way of getting to him. He'll just have to come up with a better solution. He was going to have Adam back one way or another he just didn't know how, but if it came to it then he'll kill Adam because if he couldn't have him then no one can. Thomas sighed and walked off ready to set his next plan into motion.

Tbc...