AN: I know it's hard to see the family without Michael. I needed their situations established before I dropped a new bomb on them as it were. I told you all I had a plan- time to put it into action. Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them. This is not the way I intended this chapter to go, but this is how it came to me.

Chapter 14 ~ Lost & Found

There's a reason they call the spy trade the hall of mirrors. You can never know for sure whether you're in control or you're being played, but if you do it long enough, you learn to trust your instincts ~ Michael Westen

Andrew looked around the medical center he had been sent too. This had to be one of the creepier places he visited on assignment. Slipping around security had been harder than he thought. The deeper Andrew got into the place the more his gut nagged him. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on told him something fishy was taking place here beyond what he had been told. Andrew fingered the flash drive in his pocket of the borrowed scrubs he wore. All he had to do was insert this into a computer on the medical centers' network and run the command code then his job would be over.

His destination was just down the hall. Andrew glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one saw him make a beeline for the door. He checked the glass window in the door before going in. Seeing the room was clear he entered. He went to the least visible computer station and inserted the flash drive. The screen lit up. Andrew typed in the code in the prompt box that popped up. That done he waited until whatever was on the flash drive loaded. Andrew expected to be able to remove the flash drive and be on his way home, but that wasn't in the plans. The code called up a patient's file- a man's. It was in Russian- one of Andrew's favorite languages. He was fluent seven other languages besides English. He could read even more languages than he could speak. The birth date caught Andrew's interest. The patient had been brought in with a traumatic brain injury. He continued reading, scrolling down to blood type. He could connect the dots. There were way too many coincidences. Andrew backed up the record to the flash drive. He also took pictures with his com. Andrew had to check on this patient.

Dr. Briggs met Max at the door of his office, "Dr. Westen, thanks for coming in early today."
"Dr. Briggs," Max shook his boss' hand. Peter Briggs had a strong grip and an authoritative face, but a warm smile.
"Come on in," Briggs stepped aside, "I like to do this with all of my residents and with you pulling in last minute it's the first opportunity we've had to talk."
"I am beyond grateful a spot opened up," Max said.
Briggs went behind his desk. He motion to a chair in front for Max and the two men sat, "Why Hope Z?"
"You have the highest rated trauma center in Florida," Max answered.
"And you want to specialize in trauma surgery," Briggs steepled his fingers together.
"Yes, Sir," Max nodded.
"What draws you to that specialty?" Briggs leaned back.
"A long family history," Max said, "And it keeps you on your toes- you never know what you'll get on a given day."
"You like to be challenged," Briggs inferred.
"Yes, I do."
"Why did you choose take the job Johnson first?" Briggs inquired.
"My wife, well ex-wife, got a residency at Johnson and wanted me to work with her there," Max replied.
"Happy wife, happy life," Briggs concluded.
Max dipped his head and forced a smile, "Only it didn't work out that way."
"Will your divorce affect your work?"
"It's over with- I am here to focus and learn," Max assured his boss, "I'm getting back to me."
"Good to hear it," Briggs said, "Welcome to Hope Z."

Natalie stepped out of her front door and closed it behind her. She turned to head to the elevators. Sure it was an hour and a half until the pickup Natalie had to make, but still she wanted that time to scout the place out. At least it would keep her busy. Andrew had only been gone for a little over thirty two hours. Not that she was counting at all. He still occupied much of her thoughts. As soon as the door closed Natalie caught a glimpse of her ex coming down the hallway. With no time to turn around and go back in before he reached her she decided to ignore him. Natalie maneuvered to avoid him.
"Hold up," Emilio grabbed her by the arm.
"Do not touch me!" she shook out of his grip.
"Sorry," he apologized, "Look-."
Natalie groaned, "I don't have time for whatever you want to talk about."
"It's about Max," Emilio said.
"Make it quick- I have an errand to run," she flipped her bangs out of her face.
"Max isn't answering his comm," he began.
"Maybe he's just not talking to you," she replied, "I have never seen my brother so mad."
"Have you tried to call him?" Emilio raised an eyebrow.
"It's the first day of Max's residency," Natalie checked her watch.
"Well, I went to his house this morning," he explained.
"And?" she crossed her arms over her chest.
"And some dude answered the door," Emilio answered.
"What do you mean 'some dude'?" Natalie frowned.
"What I said some dude," he threw one hand to the side agitatedly, "Anyway this dude tells me that Max moved out."
"Moved out? He would have told us Paige and he were moving," she shook her head.
"That's just it- Paige's car was in the driveway," Emilio said.
Natalie did not like the sound of that. If that shank had kicked Max out to shack up with some jerk there would be hell to pay. It would come down to who got to her first- Natalie or Fiona. Fiona could be brutal when someone hurt her baby boy. "Thanks for your concern," Natalie pulled her purse strap higher on her shoulder, "I will try to get in touch with Max after his shift and see what is going on."
"Ask him to give me a call," he requested, "Please."
"I will tell him you asked- he's feeling pretty betrayed by that stunt you pulled," Natalie said.
"I know I was an idiot, I hope he won't hold that against me forever," Emilio replied. Knowing her brother there was a good chance of him forgiving his erring friend. "I really am sorry," he added.
She tilted her head and looked at him. Emilio was acting too nice. "Just be grateful they're letting you skate on a technicality," Natalie said.
"Natalie, you and me-."
She held up her hand and stopped Emilio from finishing his sentence. Natalie passed him. She got a few strides down the hall before turning on her heels. Natalie looked him dead in the eyes, "Do something stupid like going after Andrew again and, as much as I don't want Max to lose a friend, I will end you."

Max was lost. He was sure he was on the right floor of the hospital. That much he could tell from the floor plans. Room numbers were giving him problems. Give him a couple more days and he's have most of the area mental mapped out. A pretty, brunette nurse walked by Max. He decided to ask to her for directions instead of being late. "Excuse me," Max called.
She turned around, "Yes?"
Max almost forgot what he had to say once he got a good look at her face. Man, she was beautiful. He blinked, "It's my first day here and I'm a little lost." The nurse was drowning in his eyes. The sky blue scrubs he was wearing made them pop. And they were so blue. She just about had to fan herself.
"Let me guess," she smiled, "You're looking for the residency orientation?"
"Yes, Miss…" Max trailed off in hopes she'd finish.
"I'm Abby," the young woman filed in the bank.
"Nice to meet you, Abby," Max said.
"Room 415- follow me," she directed, "It's through this door and down the left hall." Abby led Max through the door.
"Thanks," he said. They walked side by side until they reached the correct door.
"So Doctor..?"
"Just call me, Max," he smiled.
"Nurse Reynolds!" a voice called from back down the hall.
"That's me," the brunette excused herself.
"Thanks again," Max at her retreating form.
"You're welcome," she called over her shoulder. She hoped with Max working there they'd run into each other often.

Max joined the group of residents already inside room 415. He tried to shove thought of the pretty nurse out of his head as he when down the stairs to find a seat. Maybe he shouldn't think such things so soon after signing divorce papers, but it felt good. Noticing a pretty woman let him know this funk he was in wouldn't last forever. Max found a seat next to two other residents.

"I'm Joe Tuturro," the first resident introduced himself.
"Max Westen."
Joe pointed to the woman sitting next to him, "This is my sister Charlie."
"Hi," she smiled.
"Hey. I have a cousin named Charlie," Max smiled.
"Guy or girl?" Charlie inquired.
"He's a guy," Max said.
"Is he as cute as you?" she leaned forward.
Max laughed, "We look nothing alike. Same eyes, but he has black hair, and squarer jaw.

"He's stopped asking for his wife." Andrew heard a voice say in Russian. He ducked around the corner. An orderly followed a doctor and pushed an empty wheel chair. Andrew watched them enter the room he had been heading to. They left the door open. He could see the bed and more importantly the man on it. He had a familiar face- one the Andrew would have recognized anywhere. His heart stopped, "Mike." It was indeed his father-figure lying on the hospital bed. He looked a lot worse for the wear. Michael had always been lean, but now he was thin. His arms and legs were restrained. He was belted into the bed. Michael had been fighting back and fighting hard. There was no way Andrew could leave him there. In a split second a plan formed and Andrew wasted no time in implementing it. He put the safety on his gun and threw it across the hall then picked it up then belted it. It made a loud enough noise to disturb the men in the room. Andrew took out his secondary weapon a stunner. The doctor instructed the orderly to check out the noise. When the orderly rounded the corner Andrew pounced. He shoved the orderly into the wall. He stunned his opponent who dropped to the floor. Andrew threw the limp man into a supply closet and headed for Michael's room.

Andrew charged into the room closing the door behind him. Michael began to stir. Andrew had his gun train on the doctor. The doctor put his hands up. Andrew grabbed the doctor and turned him around. He shoved his gun into the doctor's neck. "Disconnect him!" Andrew commanded. Russian fell off of his tongue. The orderly got Michael detached from the IV and monitors. Once the machines were turned off Andrew pistol whipped the doctor knocking him out and letting him fall to the floor.

"Mike, are you ok?" Andrew bent over and unhooked the belt holding Michael in the bed. He went on to the arm restraints next.
"You speak English," Michael fought for the words.
Andrew nodded, "Can you walk?"
Michael eyed him warily. The man knew his name, but he was wearing scrubs like the staff here. On the other hand he was untying him for some reason. "Not sure," Michael replied. Andrew finished untying the last leg restraint. He helped Michael sit up. "Who... are... you?" Michael asked.
The question from his mentor was a knife to the chest. What had they done to his friend? Confusion clouded Michael's Prussian blue eyes. His protégé padded Michael's shoulder, "My name is Andrew and I'm going to get you out of here, ok?"
"Ok," Michael pushed himself up off the bed. As he struggled to gain his balance a wave of nausea hit him. Michael fell in front of a trash can. His stomach heaved. He threw up into the trash can. Andrew found water and a cup. He squatted down. Andrew held the cup to Michael lips. Michael rinsed out his mouth with the water. He tried to push himself up. Michael ended up in a seated position.
"Easy," Andrew wiped his face. He brought over the wheel chair. Andrew lifted Michael up by his waist and sat him in it. It was unsettling how light the man was. Andrew heeled him out the door. Michael glanced back at Andrew and wondered if he was putting his fate in the hands of the right person. It wasn't like it could get much worse. Anywhere was better than this place.