Many thanks to bammi1 for being my beta, the story would suffer without you! RC, the Mominator and bammi1, thanks for the encouragement and suggestions.

Cozumel Garrison Infirmary, Friday Morning, Day 21

Fin nervously paced about the room waiting for Bobby to come out of surgery. What if the labs were wrong and Bobby's body couldn't take anesthesia? What if they couldn't stop the bleeding? What if he waited too long and they couldn't rebuild the hand?

Roca watched Fin pace. "Fin. He'll be fine. They wouldn't have suggested surgery if it was too dangerous."

Fin growled at the young man. Sometimes Roca's youthful enthusiasm could be annoying.

"Did you just growl at me? You know…"

Dr. Castillo entered the room putting an end to the little spat. He shook Fin's and Roca's hands.

"I have good news. Robert came through the surgery with no problems. The prognosis is 80 - 95 percent recovery of dexterity. He will need to follow up with another surgery and physical therapy."

Fin felt relieved. "Wow doc, that's great news. He'll be able to return to work."

"I told you so, Fin."

"Roca, shut up."

Dr. Castillo chuckled at the two men. "They'll be bringing him back to ICU in few minutes."

Fin nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Castillo.

A few moments later Rachelle and four orderlies brought Bobby back to his room. They skillfully moved him from the stretcher back into his hospital bed. Rachelle adjusted his arm sling and raised the head of the bed. She got all of the equipment reconnected and did her best to make Bobby comfortable.

Fin sat down in the chair next to Bobby's bed.

Rachelle patted Fin on the back. "Our man did very well. He should be coming out of the anesthesia soon."

Fin watched Bobby's peaceful slumber. Roca stationed himself by the door. Benet came into the room to check on Bobby.

Everyone was feeling the strain of waiting to see if Bobby would be lucid or violent. Fin was more concerned that Bobby would withdraw and avoid contact. Fighting and anger seemed healthier expressions than withdrawal and silence.

Fin noticed the first tremor in Bobby's left hand. His entire body jerked and he opened his eyes, frowning at the sling. He lifted his hand to his face and tried rub his jaw. He noticed Fin at his side.

Fin. Say Fin.

Bobby's lips moved, but he was still unable to form the words. He fought back the frustration and settled on trying to focus on Fin.

"Hey partner, doc said the surgery was a success."

Rachelle moved closer to Bobby. "Is there anything I can get you, honey?"

Nurse… nice lady. Who are those men behind her? Suits? Guns!

Bobby's body tensed and he started clinching his left hand. Rachelle noticed the change in Bobby. She followed his gaze to Roca and Benet.

Fin motioned for the agents to leave. They quietly stepped out.

Bobby stared at the closed door. He worked his jaw and pinched his eyes closed.

"Hey partner, they're AFI agents. They're cool, just looking out for you. They checked out. No ties to drug cartels."

Bobby opened his eyes and stared at the door. His body slowly relaxed.

AFI? Don't want anyone see me like this. Too weak. Too tired. Sleep.

Bobby's eyes fluttered closed and his breathing eased.

A light tap at the door sent a tremor through Bobby's body. His eyes fluttered open and closed. A light moan escaped from his lips.

Fin and Rachelle smiled. That was the first sound they heard Bobby make since he came out of the coma.

"How's he doing?" Tejada stepped through the door and approached Bobby's bed.

Bobby's body shuddered and his eyes popped opened. Fin had a feeling he was ready to strike out at the male voice.

Everyone held their breath. Bobby stared at Tejada, as if daring him to move. Tejada held his gaze and remained still.

Gun! Enemy? No… Fin's ok. Nurse ok. Suit… AFI. Sleepy… hurt… sleepy.

Tejada chose a quiet professional voice, hoping it might make Goren more comfortable.

"Detective Goren, I'm Special Agent in Charge, Carlos Tejada. I am working on your case."

Keep eyes open. Tejada… Amelia? No sleepy. Eyes OPEN. TIRED… HURT!

Bobby's eyes closed, his body trembling.

Rachelle quickly administered the pain medicine she brought in earlier. She checked the silent heart monitor.

Rachelle whispered to Fin. "His vitals are good. I gave him a low dose of pain meds. I've got to get back to work, so call me if he's hurting."

Fin smiled at Rachelle and went back to observing his partner. Bobby's body relaxed as he reluctantly gave into the influence of the meds.

Tejada sat down next to Fin. "Roca said the surgery went well."

"Yea, better than expected. You may be interviewing him soon. He moaned when you knocked on the door. That's the first time he has made a sound."

Fin shuddered at the thought of Bobby reliving his ordeal. "I read Amelia's interview. Do you think she left out some things?"

Tejada thought about the interview. Amelia was so distraught. He focused on getting what he needed for the arrest and search warrants. In retrospect, there were a couple of things that didn't add up concerning Goren or her brother.

Tejada rubbed his chin. "Perhaps, but she was in a different cell and wasn't aware of everything going on with her brother or Goren. We have enough hard evidence and Amelia's testimony to put Suarez and several of his men away for life. Do you feel there is more we need to look into?"

"No, not as long as everything is covered when Bobby makes his statement."

"I understand. What's next for Goren?"

"First we have to get him strong enough to get out of ICU. Then if he can hold his own for a couple of days, Dr. Delgado will release him for an air ambulance trip to a New York hospital. I'm working on getting the money for an air ambulance. So far I've raised about 75% of the cost. I'll take out a loan and pay for the rest if I have to."

"Bobby's lucky to have you as a partner."

"Yea, well, he's pulled my butt out of the fire a few times. I'm just returning the favor."

Tejada stood up. "I'm going to call Amelia and tell her the good news."

"Thanks, I called her this morning when Bobby went into surgery. I'm sure she is anxious to hear how he's doing. She wants to fly in tomorrow, but her parents are having a hard time letting her out of their sight."

*************************************************************************************

Friday Late Afternoon, Day 21

Fin sat across from the chess board, concentrating on his next move. He takes Mendez's rook. "Check mate in two moves!"

Mendez sighed and studied the black and white board.

Bobby's body jerked, drawing both men's attention from the game.

Fin reached for the bed control and raised the head of the hospital bed to a sitting position.

Bobby moaned as his eyes fluttered open.

"Hey, partner." Bobby focused on Fin, then Mendez.

"Hi Bobby, I'm Special Agent Arturo Mendez." Bobby blinked giving Mendez a detached stare.

Fin turned to Mendez and gave him a light tap on the shoulder. "How about you give us a little time?"

"Sure Fin, I'll be outside if you need me."

"Thanks man."

Bobby watched Mendez leave and returned his focus on Fin.

"Let me get you some water. Hold on."

Fin cleared away the chess set from the table. He filled a cup half way and plopped in a straw and rolled the table over Bobby's lap. Bobby reached for the glass with a shaky hand and grasped the cup. He carefully brought the cup and straw to his face and took a few sips, dribbling a little down his chin. He put cup back on table wiping his chin.

Fin smiled at Bobby. "Do you know where you are?"

Bobby looked at his sling and IV. A haunted expression crossed his face as he nodded.

Bobby's brow creased with concentration. He took in a small breath and croaked out "F… Fin."

"Yea!" Fin smiled.

Bobby frowned trying to form words, his throat sore. "U… K?"

"You're going to be fine."

Bobby shook his head. "U… K?"

Fin was stunned. He's asking me if I'm ok?

"I'm good partner."

Bobby gave him a crooked grin.

"A… a… me...a?"

"Amelia? She's fine. She had to go back to New York for Tony's funeral. She's with her parents. She'll be back tomorrow."

Bobby frowned and shook his head. "St… stay. Saa… saaa…"

Fin tried to figure out what Bobby was saying. "I'm not leaving you man."

Bobby shook his head. "A… am… me… a st... stay."

"You want Amelia to stay with you?"

Bobby shook his head, fighting the frustration.

Finally it dawns on Fin. "You want Amelia to stay in New York?"

Bobby nods. "Saa…fa."

"You don't think she would be safe if she came back?"

Bobby nods.

"I get ya man. I will talk to her, but she can be very determined."

Bobby gave him a knowing look.

"Let's call her.' Fin picked up the phone next to Bobby's bed and dialed Amelia's number.

"Amelia, its Fin. Bobby's awake."

Bobby could hear her voice over the phone chattering away.

"No, don't come. Bobby wants you to stay in New York. He's worried about your safety."

A clear "What?" shrieked from the phone. Fin pulled it away from his ear as the volume of chatter increased.

Bobby reached toward the phone.

"Hold on Amelia. Bobby has been talking a little. He wants to talk to you."

Fin moved the phone to the table and handed Bobby the receiver.

Trembling, Bobby held receiver to his face.

"A… am… me… a st... stay." Bobby closed his eyes and listened to Amelia.

"Bobby, I want to be there for you. Tejada will keep me safe."

"N… no!"

"Ok, don't get upset. I don't want you to worry, but I just want to take care of you."

"No!"

"I'll wait. Ok?"

"Uhm... K" Bobby huffed.

"I miss you and I worry about you. I'm sorry I left. My parents needed me."

"Saa…fa. Uhm... K?"

"Bobby, may I call you tomorrow?"

"K"

Bobby held out the receiver for Fin.

"Hey Amelia, I think he is tired." Bobby listened to Amelia chattering away.

"Yea, it's great! I'm sure he would like to hear from you tomorrow." Fin hung up the phone.

"That went well." Fin smiled.

With a rap at the door, Rachelle bustled in. She stopped at the sight of Bobby sitting up in bed awake.

"Our man is up!" A broad smile lit up her face as she picked up his chart.

"Let's look at how you're doing honey." Rachelle looked at the monitoring equipment and wrote on the chart.

"Well, blood pressure is good, heart rate is a little high, and temperature is good."

She flipped the page on his chart. "Your white blood cell count is down, so in a couple of days, we can take you off the heavy antibiotic regiment."

Rachelle looked up at Bobby. He was staring at his sling.

She moved around to the side of the bed next to Fin.

"Bobby, I need to check you over."

Bobby continued staring at his sling, indifferent to Rachelle's presence.

Fin looked at Rachelle to see if she wanted him to intervene. She shook him off.

"Bobby, I can't go home until I examine your hand. You don't want my children to go without dinner or doing their homework, do you?"

Bobby shook his head, keeping his head down and fighting the tremors that snaked through his body.

"Bobby, may I examine you?"

Bobby closed his eyes and laid his head back against the pillow, his body stiff and his eyes tightly drawn. He nodded for Rachelle to proceed.

Fin stood ready to help Rachelle, if Bobby became agitated.

Rachelle touched Bobby's sling, he drew in a light breath resisting the urge to pull away.

"Breath Bobby." Rachelle said sweetly.

She pulled open the sling and checked his hand. "Your hand's looking good."

She closed the sling. "Now I need to give you something to help with the pain." She didn't give Bobby a chance to protest as she swiftly injected the IV portal with his meds.

Bobby opened his eyes and watched Rachelle move about the room.

She went back to Bobby's bedside. "Do you need anything?"

He concentrated and quietly answered. "N… no."

She looked at Fin, who was beaming at Bobby. "Bobby, you're talking!"

TBC