Chapter Thirty-Six
Lost till you're found. Swim till you drown. Know that we all fall down. Love till you hate. Strong till you break. Know that we all fall down. If ever your world starts crashing down. Whenever your world starts crashing down. If ever your world starts crashing down. That's when you'll find (find) me. Lost till you're found. Swim till you drown. Know that we all fall down. Love till you hate. Strong till you break. Know that we all fall down. All Fall Down ~ One Republic
Mike felt a strong hand on his shoulder. He angled back to see his partner.
"You don't mean that, Mike," Wes said.
"Yeah, I do," Mike protested.
"It's your fear and guilt talking," Wes corrected him. He helped Mike up and the two men sat together on the pew.
Mike collected himself for a moment before speaking. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "I came to light a candle for Abby," Wes explained.
"How much did you hear?" Mike asked.
"Oh, 'I'm a horrible person' blah, blah," Wes admitted, "I tried to not to listen, but that last part got to me."
"Wes…"
Wes held up his hand to stop him from speaking further, "I have some standing to butt in here."
Mike bit the inside of his check. He had to admit Wes was right.
"You don't get to burst into our lives and then bolt because a situation comes up that scares the shit out of you," Wes continued.
"It's bad. Abby could die," Mike contended.
"Abby dying is not an option," Wes shook his head.
"The Cardiologist said she was bleeding into her chest, the Neurologist didn't even want to say what he thought was wrong with her brain," Mike informed him.
"Abby doesn't need a broken heart on top of her other injuries," Wes insisted.
Mike looked down at his hands.
"If you push Abby away over what Sid did, you are going to have to answer to me," Wes leveled, "And I learned of torture techniques during my deployments that make waterboarding look like a ride at Disneyland."
"If I did you and she could get back together," Mike pointed out.
"I would be her second choice- I don't want to be someone somebody settles for- even if she is as awesome as Abby," Wes scoffed.
"If she had chosen you this wouldn't have happened to her," Mike hung his head.
"I've got enemies too," Wes objected, "I don't know if they have followed me from Kabul or the caves in Afghanistan."
"I doubt they'd go looking specifically for you," Mike countered.
"Abby is going to get through this- have a little faith," Wes reassured his partner.
Mike snorted. "Faith has been in short supply for a long time," he wrung his hands.
"But you had it before," Wes said.
"Yeah, when I was a kid. My mom is a God-fearing woman– probably the reason she will never divorce my dad no matter how many times he comes home drunk or how many women he cheats with," Mike set his jaw.
Wes held back a reply so his friend could get out some frustration.
"She tried to instill some sort of religiousness in me- I used to pray a lot," Mike continued.
"What happened?" Wes inquired.
"No matter how much Mom and I prayed for Dad, he didn't change," Mike straightened his shoulders, "So I stopped."
"I see," Wes replied.
"He's the same as he always was," Mike huffed.
"God can't change people who refuse to change," Wes offered.
"Logically I get that," Mike admitted.
"Maybe Jack needed to be this way so you could be the man you are today," Wes suggested.
Mike cackled, "Can I get a redo then? Cause he sucks."
"You can be the man that Abby deserves," Wes charged.
"I think I love her more than even I understand," he sighed.
"Completely understandable," Wes nodded.
Together they exited the chapel and made their way to the waiting area. The two agents met up with Abby's family.
"Any word?" Mike asked.
Bethany shook her head.
Mike and Wes settled into a couple of seats just in time for Chloe to appear.
Brennan shot up as his wife approached. "What's going on? How is Abby?" he inquired.
"Let's move to the conference room to talk," she held her head up. Chloe motioned for everyone to follow them.
Mike stood and looked to Wes, who remained seated. "I'll give you the update when you get back," Wes waved him on.
The rest of the group all followed Chloe as she exited the waiting room. Chloe clipped on ahead of everyone, purposely not letting her husband catch up with her.
He knew his wife. She was keeping her doctor face on. This wasn't good.
When they arrived in the conference room, the Neurosurgeon stood in front of a screen.
"Derek," Chloe directed the other doctor.
"Abby's right Ulna is broken- Felix put her arm in a case," Derek eased in, "She also has several broken ribs. One of which has caused an internal laceration leading to heavy bleeding into her chest cavity."
"Abby is in the OR now. Miranda is working to get it stopped," Chloe added.
"Ok, why did she pass out?" Brennan asked.
"Subdural hematomas," Derek replied. He brought up Abby's scans on the screen. "As you can see, her brain is bruised both back and front and bleeding in three areas," he pointed out each spot on the monitor, "Her skull is cracked."
Mike's heart sank further and further.
"What's the prognosis?" Brennan asked.
"We won't know the extent of the physical or neurological effects of the injuries until she wakes up," Derek replied.
"Will she be able to come back from this?" Mike asked.
"We're pushing plasma and meds, but with this serve an injury it can only take us so far- her brain is swelling as well and that has not slowed," Derek cautioned.
"So what would the next step be? Surgery?" Brennan asked.
"I'm afraid so. We're keeping an eye on the CT scans, but I am not comfortable putting off intervention too much longer," Derek asserted, "It's already been nearly two hours."
"There is one more thing," Chloe revealed.
"While the main concern is to stop the bleeding in both the brain and chest then get the pressure off her brain," Derek relied.
"Her eyes and face are another major issue," Chloe continued, "He broke her nose and did a lot of damage to her eyes sockets. Basically, the bones have shattered and they're pinning the eye balls in place."
"You're saying she might go blind?" Bethany frowned.
"There are a lot of variables, but that is one high probability," Derek replied, "Along with seizures or strokes."
"Who do we have to fix her eyes?" Bethany questioned.
"We're still trying to figure that out. We lost our best ophthalmologist to New York just two days ago so we haven't had time to hire a new one," Chloe frowned.
"I can go in and fix the eyes," Derek said, "I took a facial reconstruction refresher two months ago."
"I want you focusing on her brain right now," Chloe directed.
"Is he the best candidate for her eye operation?" Brennan asked.
"This isn't up for debate. Abby made me her healthcare proxy so the decisions are mine," Chloe asserted.
"I am going to go scrub in and take over when Miranda is done," Derek bowed out.
When he left so did the air in the conference room.
Brennan took his wife gently by her shoulders.
Chloe shrugged his hands off of her and stepped away from him.
Brennan recoiled. His brown eyes shone. He straightened his shoulders.
"If you hold me I am going to cry and if I cry I can't be making the best decisions for Abby," she sniffled.
Brennan inhaled sharply. He understood, but that didn't lessen the sting.
"Do you think Derek is the best surgeon to work on Abby's eyes?" Brennan asked.
"Derek has hands of steel," Chloe said, "If it were me on the table I would want him operating."
Brennan kissed her cheek. "I'll try to stay out of the way," he said. Brennan headed out, leaving her to collect herself. The rest of the group followed.
Brennan saw two people he recognized heading towards the same waiting room. "Tom!" he called.
The FBI director held out his arms and embraced his friend, "Bren, I headed here as soon as I heard."
"How is Abby?" Janet took her turn hugging Brennan.
"Bleeding internally," Brennan answered, "But they're on it."
"Tom, Janet, this is Abby's boyfriend Mike," Brennan motioned to Mike, "Mike, these are Abby's Godparents."
"Director, Congresswoman," the FBI agent recognized them both, her from the news.
Tom reached out and shook Mike's hand.
"So you're Agent Warren," Tom said.
"Yes, Sir," Mike answered.
Janet hugged Bethany.
"Brennan told me Abby was dating one of my guys," Tom smiled.
"We should probably stop blocking the hallway," Janet suggested.
"Right," Tom motioned them inside.
"What do we know about the guy that attacked Abby?" Tom asked as they entered.
"His name is Sid Markham. A corrupt detective I investigated in California," Mike offered.
"And he just followed you back east?" Tom said.
"It looks that way," Mike cleared his throat.
They approached where Wes was sitting, he stood.
"And you are?" Tom asked.
"Agent Clarke, Sir," Wes answered, "Mike's partner."
"If the locals start griping tell them it's our case," Tom insisted, "We have been asked in by the family."
Brennan nodded his head.
"I'll pass that along. I've asked to be kept in the loop, but our boss will be handling the case," Wes replied.
"Why are you stepping back?" Tom inquired.
"Abby and I dated briefly not too long ago. I still care about her," Wes explained, "I'm not going to chance this slime getting off on a technicality because of my involvement in the case."
Tom nodded. "Who's your boss?" he asked.
"SA Vincent Rossabi, sir," Wes answered.
"Has he gotten anything out of Markham yet?" Tom inquired.
"They won't be talking to Markham for a while," Wes replied.
"Did he invoke?" Tom asked.
"We had to take Markham to another hospital," Wes reported, "He's in surgery."
"For what?" Mike frowned.
"Abby put her stilettos into Markham's legs, broke both of them- his legs that is," Wes reported.
"That's my girl," Brennan smirked.
"She saved herself," Mike marveled.
"We found his gun with skin and Abby's color hair stuck to the butt," Wes reported.
"That's what he hit her over the head with," Mike deduced.
"They're running the DNA, but I'm pretty sure it's hers," Wes frowned.
"Do you have a picture of the guy?" Brennan asked.
"Yeah," Wes replied.
"Can I see it?" Brennan requested.
"Maybe now isn't the right time," Wes cautioned.
"I can handle it," Brennan coaxed.
Wes brought his out phone. He brought up a picture of Sid restrained to a gurney. Wes hesitated before holding it out to Abby's father.
"It's all right," Brennan coaxed.
Wes handed his phone over.
"Rat bastard," Brennan muttered.
"You knew him?" Wes inquired.
"Not exactly. He came in pretending that he wanted to be a client. He told me his name was Sam Dirkmah," Brennan gave him the phone back.
"It's an anagram for Sid Markham," Mike cleared his throat.
"I knew it was a fake!" Brennan interjected, "He was trying too hard to get close to Abby."
"What happened with your investigation back in California?" Tom questioned.
"It was closed. We thought he died," Mike answered.
"Any proof he actually did?" Brennan asked.
"We had an identifiable body," Mike said.
Tom raked his hand over his face, "Tell me this slippery SOB is secure."
"He's sedated, under guard, and restrained," Wes affirmed. He looked to Mike. "Charlie told me to tell you she's coming over after she finishes her shift," Wes replied.
"Thanks, I haven't even thought to check my phone," Mike replied.
"I better be heading back in," Wes excused himself.
"You guys ok here if I go with him and speak to his boss?" Tom queried.
"Yeah, I don't think Abby will be out of surgery for a while," Brennan agreed.
"I'll be back," Tom promised.
Wes cleared his throat, "Abby is a wonderful lady. I pray she'll have a swift recovery."
"Thank you," Brennan tipped his head.
"Let's sit," Janet suggested.
Brennan watched Wes and Tom leave together. He turned to the seats. Brennan noticed Mike was still standing. His eyes were far away out of it. Mike swayed as if he were about to drop.
"Mike?" Brennan questioned.
"I let things get personal with Sid- it was a mistake," Mike blurted out.
"We all make mistakes," Brennan deflected.
"This is my fault- Sid would never have known about Abby if I hadn't…" Mike started choking on his words.
Brennan stepped towards him. Mike braced himself. Brennan lifted his arms and wrapped the younger man in an embrace.
Mike froze, momentarily stunned by the reaction. He allowed himself to crumble. Mike began to sob. His wall broke and tears just flowed.
After Mike calmed, Brennan pulled back making sure to catch the younger man's eyes. "She's gonna make it through this because you found her and got her help in time," Brennan asserted.
"Sid kept the phone on loud speaker," Mike revealed.
Brennan guided Mike to a seat before sitting himself.
"He made sure I heard everything," Mike pressed his lips together.
Brennan placed his hand on Mike's shoulder. "You are not responsible for the slime's actions- Sid's going to pay," Brennan vowed.
Across the room Rachel adjusted the strap of her purse. Her blue eyes searched for her son.
"Mom?" Mike stood.
"Hi, Baby," Rachel crossed the room to where they were waiting and threw her arms around him. She pulled back and kissed his forehead.
"How did you know to come?" Mike inquired.
"Your dad called me," Rachel explained.
"I was with Jack when I got the call about Abby," Brennan added.
"Jack figured I'd be better for this than him," Rachel replied.
"Good call," Mike sniffed back tears.
"I called Charlie and she filled me in on the rest," Rachel added.
Mike was about to turn around and introduce her to Brennan, Bethany and Nathan when Chloe entered. All eyes went to her.
"Miranda kicked me out of the OR," Chloe muttered.
"You probably made her nervous- it must be impossible to operate on someone with their mother hovering," Bethany replied.
Chloe shook it off and looked to the newcomer.
"This is my Mom," Mike began introductions.
"Rachel," she smiled.
"These are Abby's parents," Mike motioned towards them.
"Brennan and Chloe," Brennan smiled.
"And her sister, Bethany," Mike tipped his head in her direction.
"This is my husband, Nathan," Bethany finished the introductions.
"I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances," Rachel kept an arm around her son.
"Abby's still in the first of a series of surgeries," Chloe offered before Rachel could ask.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, "Any calls you need made? Coffee run?"
"Anyone who needs to know immediately is here," Brennan declined.
"What blood type is she?" Rachel inquired.
"A positive," Chloe answered.
"I am too. Where can I donate?" Rachel inquired. There must be some place after all this was a hospital.
"I'll show you," Nathan volunteered.
"Thank you," Chloe bowed her head slightly.
Rachel reciprocated the gesture. She angled to her son. "You can come and hold my hand," Rachel patted Mike's forearm, "You know how I hate needles."
"We'll let you know if there is any change," Bethany promised.
Mike nodded and headed off with his mother, Nathan leading the way.