As the days went on, Clay started staying awake longer and longer. The physical pain was becoming less of an issue, resulting in him taking less pain meds. The downside to that was he started sleeping less due to growing number of nightmares he began having.

Naima had suggested giving him a sedative at night to help him get a full night's sleep, but Clay flat out refused. He was growing tired and frustrated of the drugs, needles, tubes, all of it.

All around, he wasn't very fun to be around at the moment. Most of the time he would barely even acknowledge that Bravo was there. The only two people he would somewhat pay any mind to were Blackburn and Naima.

Bravo didn't that let stop them from their visits though. They understood how frustrated and tired Clay was and weren't going to let his attitude run them off. So, day after day they continued showing up and switching shifts so that at least one person was always with him.

After Clay realized his team wasn't going anywhere no matter how hard he tried to push them away, he began questioning Blackburn. He doesn't know why Blackburn was the one he felt the most open with. Maybe because he's the boss? Or was a bit separated from the team? Whatever it was, he was glad that usually when Blackburn was there, he was there alone.

Eric was sitting in a chair reading a book when Clay surprised him and broke the silence. Up until this point, he would only answer question, he would never initiate any kind of conversation unless he was trying to get him to leave. "So." Clay paused, looked over at Eric. "The new guy on the team, guessing he was my replacement?"

Eric was almost speechless. Of all the things Clay could have said, the last thing he was expecting was for it to be about Vic. "Not quite. He was joining the team with or without you." Blackburn answered carefully, knowing he had to tread lightly if he wanted to keep Clay talking.

Clay nodded slowly and Blackburn could see the wheels in his head turning. "How long has he been on the team?"

"He was drafted about four months before we found you." Blackburn replied, noticing the slight flicker on Clay's face at the mention of finding him.

There was another moment of silence, and Blackburn knew the question they were all dreading was about to come. He just hoped Clay was ready for the answer.

"Can I… can I ask you a question?" Clay hesitated.

"Yeah. Of course." Blackburn scooted his chair closer.

"Well, actually two questions." Clay looked back over to Eric. "Is Sonny ok?"

Blackburn let out a breath of air, definitely not the question he was expecting. "Yeah. Sonny's fine. Why?"

Clay shrugged as much as his injured shoulders would allow. "Out of everyone, he's been here the least. Pretty sure even the new guy has been here more."

Eric didn't know how to answer that question without revealing too much information. "Sonny's just, he's been having a hard time wrapping his head around everything."

"Well, that kinda brings me to my next question. What is 'everything'?"

There it is. The question they've dreaded. "I'm gonna need you to be a little more specific?" Blackburn was stalling.

"Why did it take so long?" Clay's voice during the question nearly broke Blackburn and he really wished someone else was here with him to help answer.

Eric stood up and walked over to the window. He looked out and then looked back over at Clay. "Honestly, we thought you were killed in the explosion. We found a bunch of your stuff and blood that was a DNA match to you. All the evidence pointed to you being dead."

A single tear fell from Clay's eye. He knew this was a possibility. "So, no one was even looking for me?"

That question hit harder than the previous. Blackburn just shook his head, not able to find his words.

Blackburn once again watched the wheels in Clay's head began turning. He hoped he didn't just make a huge mistake by telling Clay the truth. Luckily, he didn't have to hope long.

"They tried to convince me they were killed in the explosion, kinda like Paul's team. I knew it was a lie, but a small part of me couldn't help but wonder if it was true. I'm glad it wasn't."

Eric walked back over to his seat and sat down. "The second we found out you were still alive, we couldn't get to you quick enough. I'm sorry it took as long as it did."

Clay was no longer able to hold back tears. He wasn't even entirely sure why he was crying. The whole conversation was just becoming overwhelming for him.

Blackburn stood up, gently patted Clay's right thigh. "I'm gonna head out to the hall, give you a couple minutes to yourself." Eric thought back to Naima telling them Clay sometimes needed a little space.

"No." Clay responded, quicker than he meant to. "It's ok if you want to stay."

Blackburn smiled and sat back down, trying his best to navigate Clay through his emotions. It took some time, but at the end of it Clay had finally fallen asleep, which Eric was relieved to see.

About an hour after Clay had fallen asleep, Jason had shown up to switch with Eric.

Eric stood up and held a finger up to his lips, not wanting Jason to wake up Clay. He then ushered Jason back out the door so that they could talk.

"What's the matter? Everything ok?" Jason had a worried look on his.

"I think so. He opened up a little bit earlier." Eric revealed.

Jason's eyebrows raised at the news.

"He asked what took so long." Eric sighed.

Jason's stomach dropped. That could have only gone two ways.

"I told him the truth. It definitely stung, but I think he was more relieved that you guys were still alive. He said they had tried to convince him everyone was killed in the explosions."

Jason felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. "So, he's not pissed at us?"

"I don't think so. He did ask about Vic and Sonny though." Eric replied.

"What about them?"

"Asked if Vic was the guy that replaced him and then wanted to know why the new guy that he doesn't even know has been here more than Sonny."

Jason ran his hands through his hair. "So, he has noticed?"

Eric nodded.

"I'll make sure he gets here. Maybe knowing Clay knows the truth will help."

As Eric was about to respond, Ray turned the corner and was brought up to speed on the conversation. Once he was all caught up, Jason told Eric to head home and relax while he and Ray walked into Clay's room for their shift.

They only hoped Clay would be as open with them as he has been with Eric.

Sorry for the delay guys. I've been super busy with all the holiday stuff going on. I also struggled with this chapter and started it over at least three times until I came up with something I was at least somewhat happy with, so I hope you enjoy! Also, I'm gonna try my best to get the next chapter up before Christmas, but I can't make any promises.