Time went on, a month later Ponch was starting to feel better. His leg was put into a cast and was healing slowly, but it was doing better. Ponch was finally starting to somewhat be himself after one month he got his smile back. He still was very weak, the recovery would be a long one, but the doctors were certain he was going to be alright. They were also pleased to find he was doing a lot better than they had thought he would be.

Officers came to visit every day. Bear wasn't there very much right now. IA was coming to the end of their investigation, and Bear right now was suspended without pay. He wasn't enjoying it, he was just staying at home most the time doing nothing. He wanted to hang out with others, but there was no one to hang out with right now.

Jon was back to work. Ponch's parents stayed with Ponch at the hospital, and Jon would come in and out whenever he could.

Bear decided he'd go visit Ponch since he had nothing better to do. On his drive over to the hospital he kept hearing voices in his head telling him maybe he shouldn't go visit. 'it's your fault he's there in the first place. He doesn't want to see you.' He thought. Bear shook his head. "No, Ponch doesn't care about that," Bear said. He pulled into the parking lot at the hospital and sat there for a few minutes before leaving.

Inside the hospital

Ponch wasn't feeling well at all, he tried to roll over on his side, but was stopped by his mother. Ponch just made a face at her and didn't ask her why he couldn't roll over he just pretended he didn't care. His body ached, and his head throbbed. He turned his head to the side and squeezed his eyes shut tight trying to fight the pain.

"Honey, you okay?" Maria asked gently putting a hand on her son.

Ponch just nodded his head slightly and didn't say anything.

Maria looked over to Alfred who was still on the phone right now. Alfred was talking to Robert and Martin. She wished he was off the phone so she could talk to him, but she knew it was good that he was talking with Ponch's brothers.

Alfred looked over to Maria. "Do you think Frank's apartment has enough room for Robert, Martin and Patti?" he asked covering the speaker on the phone.

Maria thought about it for a second. "Well sure, and we can make room for them if there isn't room," she said.

Alfred nodded then got back on the phone.

Maria sighed then smiled at Ponch she grabbed his hand. "Honey, your brothers and sister are coming," she said.

"I…h-h-heard," Ponch replied barely above a whisper.

Maria smiled then they heard a knock at the door. Maria turned her head and saw Jeb walk in. Bear followed closely behind.

"Hi, guys," Maria said.

"Hey, how's Ponch?" Bear asked coming up to the bed.

"Tired," Maria replied.

Bear laughed. "I bet you like this Ponch, get to sleep and be lazy as much as you want," he said playfully.

Ponch forced a small smile. "I'd rather be out there…on the…streets…with you…guys…" he said, once again very quiet barely above a whisper.

Bear swallowed hard and looked at Jeb. "He doesn't know does he?" he asked quietly.

Jeb shook his head. "You can tell him if you want…but maybe you should wait."

Bear sighed heavily and came closer to Ponch he kneeled down so he was eye level with him.

"Ponch?"

"Y-Yeah, Bear?"

"I'm sorry," Bear said his gaze dropping.

Ponch's eyes opened and he looked at Bear confused. "For…what?"

Bear looked at Jeb who had opted to stay out of this and go stand closer to the door. Alfred and Maria were farther back too apparently all thinking Ponch wasn't going to react well to this. Bear was worried their friendship was on the line. He wouldn't blame Ponch for hating him…but he'd sure be shocked if he didn't.

"Ponch…this is all my fault," Bear finally said.

Ponch almost laughed. "Oh yeah? And how…are you…g-gonna p-prove that?"

Bear looked at Ponch wide eyed. "You mean you don't believe me!?"

"C-C-Come on, Barry…everyone blames themselves for stuff...that wasn't their fault..."

"But Ponch it was my fault. Believe me…I know I hate admitting it…it's been haunting me ever since the day of the accident. I thought I'd lose you and never get to apologize…and the sounds…the images…everything that comes back in a nightmare…the accident was horrible!"

"I…" Ponch tried to say something but wasn't sure what to tell his troubled friend.

"Ponch, I didn't mean to do it…I thought that I was catching the bad guy and I hit you instead…and those IA investigators thought I did it on purpose…so I wouldn't have to pay you back for that money I borrowed…" Bear added.

Ponch stared at him speechless.

"I understand if you hate me…and I…"

"Wait what?" Ponch asked interrupting him quickly.

"I said I understand if-" he got cut off again quickly.

"Bear, I don't hate you. Stuff happens, okay?" Ponch said. He sounded exhausted Bear had to listen very carefully every time Ponch spoke because his voice was so quiet he almost didn't hear him.

"But…everyone else hates me," Bear said.

"Baricza, just cuz they hate you doesn't mean I will."

Bear took a deep breath. "I've been suspended without pay for a few days now until IA finishes their investigation. I might be in a lot of trouble," Bear said.

"So that's why those guys came that one day…" Ponch said to himself. Then looked at Bear again. "I can try to help you…" he said with a smile. "But I can't promise anything I mean sometimes Getraer doesn't listen…"

Bear laughed slightly. "Ponch, you're the best! But whatever comes to me I'll take it, I deserve it."

Ponch looked at him for a while before saying anything. "I'm still gonna try something, whether you like it or not…" he said with a yawn.

Bear looked patted him on the shoulder. "Get some rest, thanks for being so understanding," he said as he got up.

Ponch just nodded. Then Jeb walked over to the bed he wanted to talk to Ponch about something too…