Greg hands clenched as he was listening to the doctor, he was fighting back the anger, he didn't want to hear him say Spike was unfit, Greg knew there was nothing wrong with him, he understood that this would knock anyone out of being themselves. The doctor didn't know him, so how could he make a judgement?

"After what we saw today, we don't deem him capable to leave, his body still hasn't even started to heal from his wounds, and we think he still has suffered a few panic attacks without telling us, the stress his body is under makes it impossible for me to allow him to go home unaided. I suggest minimum another week before he can leave possibly longer, but I'd personally recommend at least keeping him here for two weeks."

"Then keep him here for two weeks, don't let him sign us off as his NOK" Greg said eyes furrowed.

The doctor leaned forward and put his open hands on the table in front of him, he knew what was going to come as he explained further and he knew they were not going to like it.

"You have to understand he's an adult, should he choose to do it there's nothing we can do."

The doctor slid some forms across the table and Ed looked at them and frowned.

"Unless you sign these forms" The doctor let Greg look at them. "You should know that if you declare Mr Scarlatti physiologically unfit we can take care of him for as long as we need, however should you choose to do this, his job as an SRU officer will be put on line during his requalification." he continued.

That last line hit Greg like a ball of fire, Spike's job meant the world to him, all he ever wanted to do was be an officer and protect the city he loved the most, he also thought about how this whole battle was for his job and it could all be taken away with a simple signature.

"Surely the requalification board would see what he has gone through and survived has only made him a stronger person? I know the board rules for a reason when it comes to trauma in our lives, but its part of our team psychology and personal traits!" Ed whispered.

"I understand that, truly I do but at this moment we have some serious medical and psychological care decisions to make on behalf of your friend!" the doctor jumped in.

Greg leaned back against the chair and took a calming breath, he needed to know exactly what was going on with Spike and how bad he was, if he was going to be responsible, then he needed clear facts.

"Doc, give me basics on his condition - leave out nothing!" Greg said gently.

The doctor nodded and brought up the medical chart for Spike on the computer, he clicked on the results and files for his photos and most current exams that he had run before calling Greg and Ed down from the barn.

"Physically Spike has several serious stab wounds, two which punctured organs and have been stabilized, his blood loss has been replaced and he is currently on antibiotics and fluids to treat a low grade fever that spiked last night. He is still recovering from the previous assault on his body and his ribs have cracked again, they have also been stabilized and under watch. He still refuses to eat, the blood chemistry results that are coming back are elevated ALT and ALS, his bilirubin is raised and B12 is low, the constant stress has basically caused his body to start fighting itself and we have started Hydroxycobalim therapy to raise those levels over the last few days. He should make a full recovery once he heals and goes through rehab, the injuries inflicted were severe."

"Mentally?" Ed asked.

"To put it bluntly his brother conspired to kill him or you Greg, he decided to put himself in danger and is violently assaulted, this happens again and he then tries to commit suicide to make the danger go away. He tries to start to recover but is held back by another attempt of psychological torture, this time his brother ropes his own mother into drawing a weapon on him. He then has to deal with his own team, his own family taking their lives in front of his eyes after he is stabbed repeatedly and under tremendous mental and emotional distress. Guys, the trauma care for this type of nightmare is a lengthy process" the doctor paused for a second "Spike is depressed and angry, lost and inconsolable since he has no-one left. He was tortured by his own flesh and blood -psychological and emotional scars will run deeply, as a doctor I would commit him, as a friend, there may be a way we can keep him safe and let him stay on the police force."

Both Greg and Ed's heads snapped up quickly at that.

"Have you heard of the Harvester Project?" he inquired to Greg.

He nodded and then he realised what the doctor was going to suggest.

"What's the Harvester Project?" Ed demanded.

"A hope of helping Spike and us, can it be arranged?" Greg replied.

The doctor nodded and Greg took a deep shuddering breath, it was a chance of hope, Ed watched as Greg ducked his head and picked up the pen, his hand shaking, every muscle in his body not wanting to do it, but everything in his head telling him it was the right thing to do, Ed couldn't take it and got up and walked out.

Greg stayed, finished signing and handed the paper and pen back, he felt like he betrayed Spike, but he knew he needed this, when the doctor saw Greg's emotions he spoke up.

"It was the best decision if you want to save your friend in the long run, I can promise you he is in the best hands, would you like me to explain to Mr Lane about the harvester project, or would you like to talk to him alone?"

Greg just shook his head as he stood up "Thank you doctor."

As Greg reached the door the doctor spoke again "We will be transporting him tonight whilst he's still sedated, should he wake in the process we will let you know, until then we will begin the process, he can begin to have visitors at stage 2 of the progress, but I will inform them to keep you in contact with his progress before then" Greg nodded
"And Mr Parker, I'm truly sorry."

Greg didn't even respond just walked out of the room in search for Ed, when he found him outside the hospital he was hunched over a bin, Greg could hear him throwing up as he walked over, he rubbed his back, until Ed stepped back and rested against the wall as he was desperately trying to steady his breathing.

"What have we done to him Greg?" Ed whispered.

"We are saving him the only way possible! We both know if he got out he would be in the morgue tomorrow morning - this way, he is under control and is forced to deal with the events and when we are allowed access, no matter how far down the road that is, we can aid him and guide him along the path." Greg replied.

Ed Looked up at his brother and took another breath.

"I pray to god that you are right, because this could go either of two ways. One, Spike heals and learns to manage his trauma or we have destroyed his life and that of Winnie - there are more than one heart at risk here and we need to be very careful not to be selfish!"

Greg nodded and after a moment they went to see Spike one last time before he was knocked out for transport.