Frank had a few more scary episodes, but over the next couple days his heartbeat got closer to normal. On the day he was to leave, he awoke to find the whole team already there.
They didn't look happy.
"What is it?" Frank asked.
Everyone looked at him, not realizing he was awake.
Jake walked closer, sighing. "Lazarro escaped."
Frank blinked. "What?"
"He escaped," Jake repeated, as if he hadn't heard him the first time.
Frank said nothing, looking shocked.
"We wanna take you outta here now," said Alex. "That way, if he's planning to attack you on the way out this afternoon, you'll have already left."
Frank nodded, agreeing that it made sense.
"We already signed you out, we were just waiting for you to wake up," said Cody.
Frank sat up carefully, using his uninjured arm. "When did he escape?"
"Only a half hour ago," Jake said, helping him when he saw the wince Frank tried to hide.
Frank noticed that the IV was gone, but he was still attached to the heart monitor. He sat on the side of the bed, and carefully attempted to peel the sticky electrodes off.
"Need help?" Monica asked.
Frank shook his head. "I'll manage. You can go, I'll be out in a few minutes."
Everyone nodded, and walked towards the door.
"We'll be right outside, if you need us," said Alex.
Frank nodded, holding his breath as the electrode came free. Glad I don't have a hairy chest, he thought. It seemed like it took forever, but finally he had them all off.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a nurse ran in at full-speed. She skid to a stop when she saw Frank sitting on the side of the bed, free from the heart monitor, which displayed a loud flatline, now that it wasn't hooked up to anyone.
The team was alarmed to see the nurse run in like that and ran in after her. When they realized what had happened, Cody busted out laughing.
The nurse gave them a sheepish look, before leaving.
The team looked at Frank, who looked pretty amused, himself. He looked at the still-flatlining monitor, and involuntarily shuddered.
The team filed out the door again. "Hurry up, Frank," said Alex, impatient to get him out of the hospital safely.
Frank dressed as fast as he could, mindful of his injuries and still nervous—though he'd never admit it—about his heart.
A knock sounded on the door. "You okay in there, Frank?" said Monica, knowing he'd be having difficulty with only one arm and aching ribs.
"I'm fine," he called, adjusting the sling on his right arm. With a sigh, he sat on the side of the bed for a minute. He still felt weak; his muscles seemed to be healing slowly from the electrical shock. But then again, he'd been through a lot that day.
"Can we come in?" he suddenly heard Alex say.
"Yeah," he answered.
The door opened, and everyone came back in, Cody pushing himself in a wheelchair.
"This is cool!" he said, trying to spin it around.
Monica shook her head, and whacked him on the arm, to get out of it.
Frank almost protested being wheeled out, but he held his tongue, knowing it was hospital policy, and being thankful that at least no nurses were fighting over the chance to push it for him.
The team gave each other surprised looks when he sat in it without being forced.
"I have a demand," Frank said.
"What's that?" Cody asked, taking the handlebars.
"You don't push this thing."
Cody gave him a mock-hurt look. "Aww, boss! You think I would've been able to afford the insurance on my new car if I wasn't a good driver?"
Frank smiled slightly and shook his head, so Cody assumed his statement had been a joke and he whipped the chair around, pushing it out the door.
"Cody!" Frank said, as they zoomed down the hall faster then he would've liked. "I was serious…"
Cody laughed, and slowed down, stopping so the team could catch up. "Sorry boss!" he said, trying not to laugh.
The rest of the team reached them, all three of them laughing.
"I can't believe you did that, Cody!" said Alex, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Couldn't resist," Cody said.
"You're a nut," Jake told him, as he took over, pushing the chair at a normal pace.
Frank was relieved to see that his heart was still beating normally, as they made it to the hospital lobby.
"I'll get your truck," Alex said to Jake.
Jake nodded, wanting to stay with Frank, should Lazarro suddenly surprise them.
Alex pulled Jake's Blazer to the curb, and got out, opening the passenger door.
Jake helped Frank out of the chair, and waited for Alex to come back in. The four of them surrounded Frank like a shield, as they got him to the truck and quickly inside.
Jake hit the button for the power locks, and drove away quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when no attack occurred.
Alex looked out the windows, alert for any vehicles following. When she spotted none, she faced forward again.
Frank was also watching for tailers, when suddenly a hand reached around him. He jumped slightly, despite himself.
"Put on your seatbelt," said Alex, sticking it into his hand.
Frank had to resist the urge to say. 'yes, mother' as he obeyed. He wasn't surprised to see Jake heading in the direction of The Nest, but he was surprised when Jake got on the highway.
"In case Lazarro's following," Jake said, seeing Frank's questioning look.
Frank mentally kicked himself. Of course Jake wouldn't lead Lazarro straight to their HQ. He watched the scenery and the beautiful fall foliage, almost being lulled into a doze. He was brought out of it rudely when his cell phone suddenly rang.
"Donovan," he said.
"Guess who?"
Frank inhaled sharply, having completely forgotten that Lazarro had his cell phone number.
"Surprised to hear from me, huh? Did you really think it would be that easy to get rid of me?"
Frank looked at his team members, to see that they'd figured out who was on the phone.
"I have a bomb detonator in my hand, Frankie boy," said Lazarro. "I know where you are, and where you'll now be heading."
Frank closed his eyes. This time he'll succeed in hurting a lot of people… "And where are we headed?" he asked.
"The Chicago Mall," Lazarro said. "I'm on the roof, ready to hit the button that will set off the bomb I set in the building. And before you call the cops on me, keep in mind that I won't hesitate to kill them."
"So you're taking me up on my offer then?" Frank asked.
"Your offer of surrendering, to save everyone else?" said Lazarro. "Yeah, looks like I have no choice. You won again; managed to save everyone but the bus driver, who I understand was on his way out anyway." Lazarro gave a cruel laugh. "It'll end today. You and me, face to face…"