Chapter Thirty-Eight

Tears stream down your face. When you lose something you cannot replace. Tears stream down your face and IIIIII. Tears stream down your face. I promise you I will learn from my mistakes. Tears stream down your face and IIIIIIII. Lights will guide you home. And ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you. Fix You ~ Coldplay

Mike and Rachel spoke in low whispers so not to wake the other two visitors seated across the room on the other side of the hospital bed. Brennan and Bethany had fallen asleep after taking the nightshift. Mike stayed up anyway.

"What makes you say that?" Rachel frowned.

"I know you can't stay around forever, you have a life back home," Mike said.

"I'm not going back," Rachel patted his hand, "At least not permanently."

"What?" he questioned.

"I'm moving to DC," she replied.

Mike's eyes widened, "You are?"

"I wasn't going to just spring it on you like this," Rachel replied, "I wanted to discuss it with you first."

"It's all right, Mom," he said.

Rachel lifted her hand and stroked her son's cheek. "I want to be near my boy," she explained, "Besides New York is Jack's home."

"Does this mean you filed for divorce?" Mike questioned.

"I started the process and packed up my things," Rachel revealed.

His jaw dropped.

"I know hell froze over," she said.

"I'm proud of you, Mom," he replied.

"My timing sucks," Rachel frowned.

"If there had been a way to predict that Sid's attack on Abby it never would have happened," Mike declared.

"You can tell me if you'd rather I came up with a backup plan," she said.

"If you want to move near me I don't have a problem with it," Mike said, "There's just a lot in flux."

"I know all this waiting is messing with your head, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel," Rachel replied.

"I can't see too far into the future right now," he sighed. Mike laid his head on his mother's shoulder.

She reciprocated by resting her cheek in his hair. "Things will start looking up once Abby wakes up," she promised him.

"She might not even remember me," he pointed out.

"We will deal with whatever happens," she pledged.

"What if she doesn't want to be with me after this?" he questioned.

"Then you fight for her," Rachel directed.

"How can I? After everything she's going through," Mike protested.

"What would Abby say right now?" Rachel raised an eyebrow.

"My sister would slap some sense into him," Bethany asserted.

"We thought you were sleeping," Mike said.

"Did we talk too loud? Sorry," Rachel added.

"You're fine," Bethany rubbed her eyes. She motioned over to Mike. "You should trust that Abby loves you," Bethany asserted.

"Sid did this, not you," she asserted.

She reached into her purse for her phone to check her text and calls.

Brennan's phone buzzed in his pocket. He blinked awake, then left the room to answer the phone.

"I promise I won't take over your life," Rachel crossed her finger over her heart.

"Not that you'd let it happen."

"Probably not," he agreed.

"I think you've learned enough avoidance tactics," she replied.

"Mom…" Mike sighed,

"I know you were undercover, but a mother worries," Rachel said.

"There's a little more to it than that," he admitted.

"You know in all the time you were in California you only talked to me about the one girl in the beginning," Rachel noted.

Mike's eyes turned wistful.

"Was that Abby?" she asked.

Mike nodded.

"Want tell me how you met?" Rachel questioned.

"That's a story I'd love to hear," Brennan beamed as he entered.

"Another call from the office?" Rachel presumed.

"Just for clarification. Both Abby and I had a mountain of cases apiece- I did my best to make sure they all got sorted through and reassigned," Brennan replied. He retook his seat again. "Don't let me interrupt. Where were we?" Brennan patted his knees.

"We actually met at bar," Mike admitted, "I was playing pool with my friends, not looking for anything, but then she walked in and it was game over. "One of my friends made sure I went over to talk to her. When Abby said 'Hi' I forgot my damn name," Mike laughed.

Brennan smiled, "Abby gets that from her mom."

"We spent the rest of the night, walking on the beach, holdings hands, talking," Mike continued, "She was so open and vibrant… At points I really thought I was dreaming." He paused for a moment.

"And how did you meet Chloe?" Rachel asked, enjoying the lighter mood in the room.

"I was the hotshot right out of law school," Brennan began, "I started out working for the firm that represents this hospital. She was a resident shadowing one of the board members."

"So you met at work," Rachel coaxed.

"First big meeting after I came on. We were getting set up and my briefcase got knocked off onto the floor. My papers flew everywhere. She squatted down to help me pick them up. We come face to face and I'm dumbstruck," Brennan continued, "Rather embarrassing really."

"You recovered," Bethany quipped.

"There's Chloe's sass," Brennan snickered.

Bethany stuck her tongue out at her father.

"You have no shortage of sass yourself," Rachel replied.

Brennan chuckled, "My friends would agree with that."

"I can tell Abby gets a lot from you," Mike leaned forward. He locked eyes with Brennan.

"She mentioned you a lot," Mike continued.

"Did she now?" Brennan

"Abby told me you were the one that got her to take the vacation in California," Mike tipped his head, "Guess you were responsible for us meeting."

"I never thought of it like that," Brennan said.

"Still I've always wondered how things would have played out had I gotten the first assignment I put in for in DC," Mike mused.

"The universe would have found a way to get you and Abby together. The two of you were meant to meet," Brennan pronounced.

After Charlie's weight was taken a nurse showed her and Rossabi into an exam room.

"The doctor will be right with you," the nurse said.

Charlie got up and sat on the examination chair. "Are you ready for this?" she asked.

"Yeah," Vincent craned in and kissed her.

"This is about to get real," she patted her knees.

The doctor and a tech entered the room.

"I'm Dr. Quinn," the ginger smiled.

"I'm Vincent," Rossabi introduced himself. She reminded him of his own mother.

"You're the father?" Dr. Quinn shook his hand.

Charlie nodded.

"It's nice to meet you," Dr. Quinn said, "Shall we get moving on the exam?"

The routine exam moved along quickly.

Finally they started up the sonogram machine. Charlie pulled up her shirt and unbuttoned her slacks. The tech squeezed gel on her abdomen and started to move the wand around.

"See right there?" Dr. Quinn pointed to the screen, "There's your baby."

Charlie squeezed Vincent's hand. He leaned down and kissed her.

"There's the heart. It's beating nice and strong," Dr. Quinn approved.

"Is that another one?" the tech asked.

The tech moved the wand so the doctor could see the second one she pointed out "Yep, that's two babies and two distinct heartbeats," the doctor replied. She looked from the monitor to Charlie and Vincent. "Congratulations, Mom and Dad, you're having twins," Dr. Quinn beamed.

"Twins?" Charlie repeated in disbelief.

Rossabi couldn't even form words. His head was too light for such things. Vincent grinned like an idiot. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he crumbled to the floor.

Charlie gasped and covered her mouth, but she couldn't help laughing.

"Vincent? Can you hear me?" Dr. Quinn asked.

The tech and doctor rushed to him. They checked him over while Vincent came to himself. He grabbed the edge of the examination chair as he stood.

"Are you all right?" the nurse asked.

"I'm fine," Rossabi waved them off, "I'm fine."

"I am never letting you live this down, Vinny," Charlie grinned.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed, in my many years of practice you're not the first father to faint at the news of multiples," Dr. Quinn grinned.

"Twins, it still seems unreal," he marveled.

"Why don't you have a seat?" Dr. Quinn motioned.

"How is your stress level?" the doctor asked.

"I'm a FBI agent so it fluctuates depending on cases and such," Charlie answered.

"Multiples along with your previous miscarriage adds a certain level of risk to the pregnancy," Dr. Quinn replied.

"And you want me to consider lightening my work load?" Charlie deduced.

"I would recommend it, yes," Dr. Quinn replied, "It's not going to be forever."

"I have been thinking about talking with my boss about restricted duty," Charlie revealed.

"You have?" Rossabi remarked.

"I am not in as much stress as when I was undercover, but I never want to go through another miscarriage," Charlie inhaled.

Vincent wrapped his arms around her.

"You've gotten your prenatal vitamins?" the doctor asked.

"Been taking them like clockwork," Charlie answered.

"Multiples tend to deliver slightly early so prepare accordingly," Dr. Quinn warned.

"Good to know," Rossabi replied.

"You can setup your next appointment with the receptionist," Dr. Quinn said, "I'll let her know I want to kept a closer eye on you."

"Thanks, Doctor," Charlie replied.

The Doctor left with the tech. Charlie cleaned herself up from the gel. She brought her shirt back down.

"You seem surprised," Charlie mused.

"I'm just glad I didn't have to bring it up," Vincent smirked.

She slapped his chest playfully.

"I'd want to drop by and see how Abby and Mike are doing," Charlie got up off the exam table.

"You read my mind," Vincent smiled. He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

Charlie looped her arm in his.

Derek finished Abby's exam. He slipped his pen light into his pocket shooting a sympathetic look over to Chloe before leaving.

Chloe was about to follow Derek out when she heard Mike pull his chair closer to Abby. She turned around and watched him take up Abby's hand.

Mike rested his forehead against it. He took in a breath. Mike cleared his throat, "If you wake up, I promise I won't take any more calls in another room. I promise no more secret texts." He licked his lips. "We'll get a damn Poodle, St. Bernard or one of those ankle biting chihuahuas- I promise whatever dog you want," Mike vowed, "But you need to wake up to pick it out." He paused, his eyes darted to her serene face. It remained unchanged. Mike continued, his voice thick, "I promise we'll take a vacation at least once a year. Anywhere you want to go, you name it. When you're ready we'll get working on those kids we talked about. We probably want to get married first. I want to do all those things and marry you, but you have to wake up. Please wake up."

"Is that your version of a marriage proposal?" a small, hoarse voice came from the head of the hospital bed.

"Abs?" Mike's head snapped up.

"I'm awake," she didn't open her eyes, but squeezed his hand with her fingers.

"If you are asking me to marry you, Mike Warren, the answer is yes," Abby smiled.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her knuckles.

"How long have I been out?" Abby questioned.

"Four days," Chloe answered.

"Hi, Mom," Abby replied.

Chloe's heart lept in her chest. Even though it was obvious to her that Abby was in pain, her daughter was awake and talking. She looked out the room and saw Derek had stopped at the nurses hub. Chloe motioned him back in, "She's awake."

"If I knew all it took to wake you up was a proposal I would have gone out and bought you a ring day one," Mike said.

"I woke up at Poodle, but I wanted to see what else I was worth," Abby smirked softly. She regretted the movement of her face immediately.

"You brat," Mike kissed the back of her knuckles.

Abby grasped Mike's hand tightly, "Dad?"

"I'm here, Starshine," Brennan beamed. He stood up and stepped closer to the bed.

"And Ava? Where is Ava?" she asked.

"She's with Nathan," Bethany wiped her eyes.

"He threatened your family?" Mike frowned.

"He mentioned Dad and Ava," Abby revealed.

"Son of a…" Mike bit his tongue.

"Ava's fine, I can bring her to see you if you'd like," Bethany offered.

"We probably should wait until I look human- I don't want to scare her," Abby replied.

"Hi, Abby, it's great to see you wake," Derek greeted.

"Hello, Dr. Drake," Abby greeted. She knew him from visiting her mom at work. "What happened? Did we get in an accident?" Abby asked.

"No," Mike replied.

"Then why am I in the hospital?" Abby questioned.

"What is the last thing you remember?" Derek asked.

"Sid had me in a car," she answered, "We were on the phone with Mike."

"Can you open your eyes for me?" he requested.

"It hurts too much," she said.

"It's fine, we'll check later," Derek said.

Derek uncovered one of her feet. He used an instrument to poke the bottom. "Can you feel this?"

"Yes," Abby replied.

"How about lifting it? Do you think you can do that?" he coaxed.

Abby raised her foot.

"Excellent," Derek remarked. He moved over to her other side. "Squeeze Mike's hand for me," Derek directed.

He watched as she complied. Mike noted a thoughtful look in the neurosurgeon's eyes.

"How's your pain?" Chloe asked.

"Worst headache of my life," she droned out.

"I'll see if I can get you something for that ok?" Derek smiled.

"Thanks," Abby replied.

"Can you hang tight for me?" the doctor asked. He looked to Chloe and Brennan.

"We're just going to step outside, ok?" Brennan said.

"I'll stay with her," Bethany volunteered.

"Me too," Rachel offered.

"My mom flew down," Mike said.

He kissed her hand again. "I'll be back," he said.

Mike and Abby's parents followed Derek out into the hallway.

"It's not uncommon for assault victims with head injuries not to remember the attack," the doctor reported.

"We have to be careful what we tell her about the missing time," Derek urged.

"Do you think she will remember what happened?" Mike asked.

"There's no way to tell one way or the other," Derek shrugged.

"Maybe it's for the best," Chloe watched her daughter through the open door, "She shouldn't have to deal with traumatic memories."

"There could be more memory gaps," Derek replied.

"We'll keep an eye out," Brennan said.

"What do we do now?" Mike questioned.

"Mostly take the wait and see approach," Derek said, "She seems to have lost some strength in her left hand- after she rests some I'll want to do some tests."

"What kind of tests?" Mike asked.

"She wouldn't even open her eyes," Brennan bit the bottom inside of his cheek.

"I'm not willing to read too much into that. Abby just woke up and she's in pain," Derek said, "She's got a long road to recovery. Let's be in the moment."

Chloe nodded, "Thank you, Derek."

He tipped his head, "I'll go get the script for her pain meds in."

Chloe turned and wrapped her arms around her husband. Brennan smoothed down her hair as they held onto each other.

Mike saw Charlie and Rossabi approaching. He stepped aside to greet them so Brennan and Chloe could have a moment.

"Hi, we were in the neighborhood and thought we'd check in," Charlie greeted.

Johnny approached from the opposite direction.

"Guess great minds do think alike," Johnny grinned.

"I hope that's good news," Vincent pointed to Abby's parents who were still hugging.

"Abby woke up!" Mike beamed.

"That's wonderful," Charlie smiled.

"All right," Johnny cheered.

"I'm glad to hear it," Vincent added.

"She doesn't remember all that much," Mike cautioned.

"Result of the head injury?" Charlie quiried.

"Probably," Mike sighed, "Sid being an ass?"

"He says he'll only talk to you," Rossabi revealed.

Mike rolled his eyes, "Not a good idea."

"I told him he'd sit and stew a long time," Vincent said.

"I can't guarantee that if I'm put in a room with Sid that he'll come out without great bodily harm," Mike remarked.

"I don't think that'll be authorized unless we're desperate," Vincent said.

"We're far from that," Charlie replied.

"Hold up, Mama," Johnny lifted her hand and looked at the new ring, "What is this?"

"Vinny and I are getting married," Charlie answered.

"Good news all around. Congratulations," Mike offered.

"Vinny?" Johnny questioned.

Mike pointed over to his boss.

"Congrats," Johnny hugged Charlie, but eyed her fiancé.

Rossabi smiled back at him.

"He's a really good guy," she whispered to her friend before pulling back.

"Are you open for dinner tonight?" Vincent asked.

"Guess we'll have to start getting to know each other sometime," Johnny accepted.

"I'm going to drop in and say hi," Charlie said.

"Ok," Vincent kissed Charlie's temple.

"Me too," Johnny noted.

Johnny leveled a warning glare Rossabi's way before following Charlie into the room.

Mike patted Vincent's shoulder, "Don't worry, Charlie will protect you."

"Your mom told on you," Abby announced, "If you don't eat I am going to get up out of this hospital bed…"

"All right," Mike searched the crate of food. He opened the cooler and got some slices of cheese out. Mike split the roll and stuffed the cheese inside.

Rachel fist pumped. "I knew it would either be your Grandfather's rolls or Grandma's Christmas cookies," she smirked.

"Rolls sound amazing- I'm starved," Abby replied.

"I'll order you up some soup," Chloe kissed her temple.

Abby coughed from her dry throat.

Mike got the plastic cup and filled it with ice water from the pitcher that rested on her tray. He sat on the edge of the bed. Mike put the straw to her lips. "Here drink," Mike urged.

Abby sipped on the ice water, drinking until she had her fill. "Thank you," she said.

Mike set the cup aside.

A tray with the soup order came up with a cover bowl of soup. Mike opened the top and let the steam roll off. He picked up a plastic spoon. Mike scooped out some soup. He brought it up and blew on it to make sure it wasn't too hot for Abby. After it cooled sufficiently, Mike brought the spoon to her mouth. "Open," he directed.

She did and ate the soup he offered.

"Corn chowder?" she guessed.

"They were out of clam," Chloe replied.

"Corn is good," Abby replied.

He fed her the rest of the soup under her families' watchful eyes.

"Can someone help Mike into the bed with me?" Abby requested.

"All right, but he's going to need to let us know if he wants to get up," Chloe said.

"Are you sure? You need some space," Mike protested.

"I think we'd both sleep better together," Abby answered.

"Ok," he agreed.

Abby moved over slightly.

"Easy does it," Chloe cautioned.

Mike slid in, Chloe and Rachel helping him navigate Abby's IV and the wires attached to her, mindful of Abby's injuries.

She cuddled into his chest.

He stayed deathly still. He held his breath. Scared to breathe for fear of hurting her.

"I'll stand guard on the door," Johnny offered.

"Thanks, Johnny," Abby replied.

"I better go check on Ava, I'll be back soon," Bethany excused herself.

They said their goodbyes and both Johnny and Bethany left the room.

"Are you ok? I can't smell too good at the moment," Abby said.

"I'm in the same boat," Mike replied.

"Your mom said you hadn't been taking care of yourself," she admonished.

Abby angled to him.

"Careful," Mike cautioned.

"They told me you carried me out to the ambulance," she said.

"You had fought out into the hallway by the time we got there," Mike remarked.

"I did?" she questioned.

"Yeah," he affirmed. Mike couldn't help a small smile. "You're so strong," he praised.

"What happened?" Abby inquired.

"Are you sure you want to know?" he questioned.

"How about we skip to the hospital stuff?" she suggested.

Mike weighted his words, "You had a series of surgeries. For brain injuries, internal bleeding in your chest, broken bones…"

"That explains the cast on my arm," Abby quipped.

"Between the brain injuries and the bones in your face… Dr. Drake is concerned that it could cause blindness," he bit his bottom lip.

"That's why he asked to check my eyes?" Abby deduced.

"They must hurt," Mike replied.

"I kind of wanted you to be the first person I see," she admitted.

"No rush, I'll be here when you are ready," he brushed her hair back off of her shoulder.

Abby forced her eyes open through the pain.

He looked into those big brown eyes of hers. "Anything?"

Abby sucked in a breath. "Nothing, it's all dark," she blinked rapidly.

"You are still healing," Mike soothed.

Abby dipped her head with a quiet sob. He felt her tears dropping onto his shirt.

Mike swallowed down tears of his own. He couldn't cry and be there for her. She needed him now.

Mike dipped in. He kissed away her tears. "You're going to be ok," Mike promised.

Abby melted into him. His strong arms wrapped around her in safety. Yes, she was going to be ok. She had her family. She had Mike. Even if she never got her sight back that was more than enough.