Killian keeps David in his grasp, consistently checking for a pulse.

"Dave, stay with me, huh?" David groans, holding his stomach. "I know it hurts, but I'm here. I've got you."

"Tired…"

"I know but I just need you to hang in there. Regina's called for an ambulance and they'll be here soon." Killian frowns, cradling him closer. "What happened to you? Who did this?"

"King...dark...handcuffs."

David holds onto his head. Killian's eyebrows knit together. How did he escape? How far could he have walked? Is the other guy even left standing?

"David, this is important. I'm going to talk to the police and we'll make sure he can't hurt you again. But I need you to tell me where you were. Do you remember anything about it?"

David whimpers, licking his lips. Killian calls out to Regina for water and she obliges. He holds the glass to David's lips, watching as he takes small sips. Regina kneels beside them, rubbing Killian's arm. She did a great job of getting everyone out so they could have privacy.

"H...Hope," David manages to get out.

"Hope?"

"Hope Street?" Regina suggests. "It's only a couple of blocks from here."

Killian looks down at David as he withers in pain. "Was it Hope Street?"

David merely nods, holding his hands up for the water. Killian helps him hold the glass, taking it away before he can choke. In the distance, several sirens wail. Killian manages a smile.

"They're almost here, Davey. You're going to be okay."

Killian paces the emergency room floor, checking his watch every few minutes. He would've rode with David to the hospital, but his colleagues arrived, questioning him. Killian gave all he knew, which was very little. One minute he was getting takeout, the next David crashed into his arms.

"It might not be him," Weaver pointed out.

"He called me Ian. No one but him ever did."

"That's hardly concrete."

Killian rolled his eyes. "He also has the tattoo." Weaver raised a brow. "When we were juniors, we used fake IDs to get tattoos. I got a scorpion on my chest, he chose a sword for his back. It was that exact type too."

Weaver nodded, his face unchanged. "Well that could prove it."

Still, they're matching his DNA to what Ruth left behind years ago as a match. David's twin has been called but given their identical DNA, it'd be impossible to test.

"He doesn't even know that his mom died," Killian mumbles.

He pulls out his phone to text Weaver to inquire about any updates, but remembers how quickly he was distanced from this case. Even though the department is skeptical that its David, they can't have his childhood best friend knocking down doors to find out whoever did it.

Killian approaches the desk, turning on his best charm. "Hey Florence, how ya doing?"

Florence grins from ear to ear. "I'm great. What are you doing here?"

"My friend was brought in. The missing person case."

"Oh right, John Doe."

"His name is David."

Florence nods. "Between you and me, he does look like the posters. But for legal purposes, he has to remain John Doe until the DNA comes back. Should be no later than tomorrow."

"I understand," Killian replies, even though he doesn't. Yes, there's protocol but how can no one see this is him? "How is Mr. Doe doing?"

Florence winces. " You know I can't tell you that."

"Oh come on. I'm a cop. It's in my best interest to know these things."

"Are you on the case?"

"Well...no."

"I'm sorry Detective, but I really can't tell anyone about his condition unless it's those working closely to this case."

Killian sighs, nodding even still. It's ridiculous policy, but policy nonetheless.

" I understand, Florence, thank you."

He turns to start walking when Florence calls him back. Killian tilts his head.

"He's in surgery, for his leg. That's about all I can say right now."

Killian smiles a little. "Thank you."

Weaver calls Killian back to the station and he's forced to sit through paperwork for the rest of his shift. A part of him wants to rush right back to the hospital, but he knows there's bigger fish to fry right now.

When he walks inside his apartment, Sabine is curled up in the armchair with a textbook in hand. Killian knocks on the doorframe to the living room. She looks up, placing a sticky note to mark her place.

"You're home earlier than expected."

"It's been an...eventful day." He places his keys on the cluttered table. "Is she already in bed?"

Sabine nods, rising to her feet as she collects her belongings. "I tried to hold her for you, but she was exhausted. We made beignets and ran off the sugar in the park."

Killian smiles. It's a tough line, being a single dad and working new hours now that he's become a detective. Childcare is expensive and when the after school program lost its funding, he worried about how he'd juggle the gap. Luckily, after a few postings to the Hyperion Community College bulletin board, he got a call from Sabine. Her classes let out at 2 and she could walk Alice home around 3. She won't accept much pay, which brings both relief and guilt. Sabine is amazing with Alice. He wishes he could offer her more.

"I heard a bit of a rumor today."

"Oh?"

"People are saying David Nolan was found?"

Killian sighs, leaning against the arm of the couch. "It hasn't been confirmed."

"But?"

"The man matches his description. And he clearly knew who I was. His brother was notified but he can't see him until the DNA test comes back."

"It must be a relief."

In a way, yes. Of course he's happy that David is alive and getting the help he needs. On the other hand, who knows what horrors his friend has been through? It's been 8 years. Killian attempted to go by Hope Street to get a glimpse of where he was held, but it was blocked off by police. Not even reporters could get through.

"It is, if it's true," Killian manages to get out. "Thank you, Sabine."

"Always. I'll see you Friday. You have tomorrow off, right?"

Killian nods, relief filling him. He'll have to figure out care for Alice, but he'll be able to talk to James, potentially see David.

"If you need me sooner, just let me know. I only have one class and it's done by noon."

Killian allows himself another smile. "You're the best, Sabine."

"Yeah, and don't you forget it."

After making sure Sabine drives off safely, Killian heads down to Alice's room. She's snuggled up under the covers, clinging tightly to her plush rabbit. Her starfish twinkly lights shine above her bed, bringing a little light to the otherwise pitch black room. Her sound machine rages on, blocking out any noise from the streets below. The waves are getting a little staticky, indicating it's time for a new one. It was already second hand when Regina gifted it to him not long after he brought Alice home from the hospital. She had used it back when she fostered. In the 5 years since, it remains one of the few things to help her sleep.

Killian sinks onto the bed, running his fingers through Alice's nearly white hair. In the past 8 years since David's gone missing, he's created a life for himself. A stable job, a daughter, a support group of friends.

What does David have? He's 25 and just now release from the hell he was dragged into.

For the first year after David went missing, Killian avoided James like the plague. He and David were identical to a t on the outside. Even though James gelled his hair and wore pleather jackets while David favored a naturally curly look with flannel, it was hard to not see the resemblance. Killian knows he's not alone either. For awhile, James had to walk around LA wearing certain colors so well meaning people wouldn't report tips that they "found" David.

James wound up in Hyperion Heights not long after Killian. The two still rarely saw or spoke, but it got easier as time went on. A part of Killian wishes they were closer. No one around here knows David. They hang fliers, discuss the case, but they didn't actually have a connection to him.

Killian sighs a breath of relief when James greets him as he gets off the elevator. He pulls him into a quick hug before examining him. Bags sit heavy beneath James' eyes, his hair tousled.

"It's him," James whispers. "It's...it's David."

Despite having known, tears flood Killian's cheeks. He clamps his eyes shut brieflyc silently praying a " thank you" to God.

"He's severely dehydrated and malnourished," James continues, his voice shaking a little. Killian's eyes flicker open. "They think his right leg was broken a couple of years ago and the bone attempted to heal on its own but there were still some difficulties. His ribs were fractured recently. They think if he hadn't escaped when he did…"

A sob escapes his lips and Killian attempts to rub his arm, only to be gently pushed away.

"He...the bastard fucking…" James purses his lips, shaking his head. "The damage he did…"

Killian's stomach flip flops and a wave of nausea takes over. In his 5 years as a cop, he had seen it all. From the victims who escaped death to those not as fortunate. The sex crimes were another unit but occasionally a file would come across his desk. How anyone could be so sick, so cruel…

"Did you get to see him?" Killian asks, attempting to swallow at any vomit that threatens to come up.

"Yes, for a little bit. I didn't have the courage to tell him about Mom. He hasn't asked and right now, he's going through enough."

Killian nods. "I agree. Can I...can I see him?"

"He's in 705. I've got to call my fiancé, could you keep him company?"

"Of course."

The room is only to the left. Killian gently pushes open the door and lingers for a moment. David's face has cleared up some, leaving only minor bumps and bruises behind. Several monitors are hooked up to him along with an IV. He seems peaceful, better than the day prior.

Looks can always be deceiving.

Killian walks over and settles down into a chair by the bed. David slowly glances over and fumbles his hand. Killian grips it instantly.

"Where's James?"

"He had to make a call."

"Oh." A beat passes. " I thought he'd be mad at me."

"Mad? Why would he be mad?"

"I was so stupid. So, so stupid."

"Davey, stop. There's no way you could've known."

"Ian...I just...I'm so…."

"No." Killian squeezes his hand. "I'm not upset with you, neither is James. We love you, so much. And we're just so happy to see you."

David sighs, instantly groaning in pain.

"They gave me morphine but it's barely making a dent."

"Do you want me to go get a nurse? See if they can increase the dose?"

"No. Could you sit here with me? Just for a little bit?"

Killian rubs his thumb over David's knuckles. "I'm here as long as you want me."