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Warnings: I covered them in the first two chapters but this story contains severe emotional and physical trauma and past references to childhood abuse. Rape did not occur but it is discussed.
John lets out a blood-curdling scream as his eyes flash open. Immediately he realizes he's not in his apartment and his blood runs cold. He feels hands on him, a soft voice trying to reassure him he's fine, but then the pain sets in. The mind numbing physical pain washes over him along with an avalanche of emotions. Anger, fear, violation...he can feel her next to him. "HELP!!!" He yells again as he tries to push away the hands. They are to small to be his attackers, but he can't seem to make his eyes focus. He can barely breath as the door to his room opens and he hears the voices. "What happened?" Bailey demands as a Doctor pushes past him to get to John.
"Nightmare." Sam whispers, still trying to soothe the injured and frightened man. "John, it's okay. No one can hurt you. It's Sam."
"Don't." He yells, his eyes still focused at a blank spot on the ceiling. "Get away. Just get away from me."
"John, look at me." She presses as she watches the Doctor pump something into his IV. "It's Sam and Bailey, John. We're here; no one can hurt you now."
"Sam?" He finally manages to say as he forces himself to meet her gaze. He feels his head begin to cloud as he takes in the images of the people in front of him. Sam is standing over him; her hand is gently brushing his dark hair from his face. Her voice is soothing and comforting and he can vaguely remember that her voice and touch is what lulled him to sleep to begin with. John focuses on Bailey, standing next to Sam, looking down at him with concern. The same concerned look he had when he saw him cuffed to that bed. The Doctor is mumbling something to Bailey and Bailey shakes his head. God, why can't I hear them?
"I said no. He doesn't need to be moved to the psych floor." Bailey hisses through an angry whisper.
"He is exhibiting signs of severe emotional trauma. Not to mention the physical trauma he endured. I believe he would be better suited in our psychiatric wing. Detective Grant will get worse before he gets better. Now you are his next of kin..."
"So, you listen to me when I say, no way. He isn't going to the psych ward." Bailey growls.
"Psych ward?" John asks sleepily. "What did I do?"
"Nothing, John." Sam declares gently before shooting the Doctor a withering glare. "I'm going to speak to the Doctor outside, Bailey will stay in here with you while you sleep."
"I'm so tired." He replies with a yawn, barely able to keep his eyes open as Bailey takes a seat next to him by the hospital bed. "You were here all night?" John asks between yawns.
"Yeah. You shouldn't fight the sleep. Time to start rebuilding your strength, John." Bailey whispers as the younger man eyes begin to shut. "I'll be here when you wake up."
"No, go home and sleep." John whispers. "I'll be okay. Thanks.."
"For what?" Bailey asks wincing when he sees John grimace from the pain.
"For not letting them put in me in the Wacky room. I doubt I could make it back out." John yawns again and then manages a sleepy smile. "I can't even fight the sleep. Don't worry, I'll try not to wake up the other patients next time I open my eyes."
With that, the younger detective is asleep and Bailey leans back in the chair, watching over him protectively. Damn that Doctor. John's not crazy and he doesn't need to be placed with crazy people. He looks over to the door and smiles, bet Sam is handing that Doctor his ass on a silver plate.
How dare you even discuss that while in the same room with the patient!" Sam seethes as she paces in front of the Doctor. "You gave him an injection; you didn't take away his ability to hear the people around him! John Grant has enough to deal with; he doesn't need to have the fear of the Psych ward looming over his head."
"I wasn't trying to scare Mr. Grant." The doctor begins only to be cut off by Sam.
"Detective Grant." Sam corrects him. "He is a Federal Agent who puts his butt on the line every day to save people like yourself. You will treat him with some respect. We are all aware of the entire trauma John went through. I'm a Profiler and I will be handling Detective Grant's case."
"I think you are to personally involved to provide an objective opinion on what Det. Grant needs. Listen, I understand that this is hard on all of you, but I have his best interests at heart. Do you even have all the facts of the case?" The Doctor challenges. "Do you know EVERYTHING that happened to John Grant? Because if you are taking over as his chief Psychological Dr. I would suggest you understand exactly what you're dealing with." Turning on his foot, the Dr. adds. "If you should decide you need assistance, Dr. Waters, I will be around."
Sam opens the door to the room and whispers for Bailey to join her outside. "Did he fall asleep okay?" "Yeah, same old John. Cracking jokes all the way to Sand land. I take it the Doctor was informed to never do that again." Bailey replies as Sam nods her head. "Good. I won't be so nice if it should ever happen again."
"Listen. Bailey, we really haven't had much of a chance to talk since this all went down. You were the first one in the door, you found him. Is there anything about the case that I should know that I don't?" Sam asks bluntly, one look into Bailey's eyes and she lets out the breath she'd been holding. "Was John raped?" The question is painful to ask and she braces herself for the answer.
"No." Bailey manages to mumble. "Sam, I think it would be best if you waited until John woke up. You can ask him any questions that you have."
"If I'm going to be effective in treating him, then I'm going to need all the facts Bailey. Just so you know, I'm planning on seeing his attacker, Collin St. Claire, later this morning so I can get his perspective of the crime." Sam informs him. "I would like to have all the information available to me before I step inside a room with the guy. So, I'm going to ask you again. Is there anything else I need to know about John's case?"
Bailey sags against the wall, feeling his age and the stress of the day's events. "I gave him my word, Sam."
"I can't help him unless I know what I'm dealing with, Bailey. It's not like I'm going to rush into the room and tell him you gave me the details. Now, explain to me what you saw. Tell me what I'm missing so I can help him."
"I was the first one into the room. I saw the guy leering at John." Bailey pushes the bile back down that threatens to hit his throat. "John was cuffed to the bed and there was blood everywhere. It was instinct really, I just pushed the door back closed behind me and yelled at the guy to drop to his knees."
"Why did you push the door closed?" Sam asks, studying Bailey's face as the mental pictures begin to form in her mind.
" He was badly beaten, Sam. It was really bad. The guy...the guy looked like he was in the process of getting ready to rape him when I came in. All of John's body was basically exposed, you know? He just had on these damn boxers that were splattered with blood. Cuts and welts and blood. It turned my stomach especially when I realized what was about to happen. If we'd been a few minutes later.." Bailey closes his eyes as he tries to push the thought out of his head. "A couple of Officers came in and took the guy out once he was on his knees and I informed them to keep everyone out."
"You wanted to protect him from anyone seeing him like that?" Sam asks, already knowing the answer.
"His dignity, you know? Once I uncuffed him, he got up, against my wishes. Started pulling on those clothes, ignoring the cuts and bruises. He demanded to know if anyone else from the team was around and when I told him yes, He blew up. Threatening me with God knows what if I let anyone know how close that psycho came to raping him. When he got up and I saw that his chest was almost in worst condition than his back and legs, I almost got sick and he noticed that. Told me if I couldn't handle what he looked like, then neither could the team. He found a T-shirt in the closet, threw it on and then you came in." Bailey watches as the mental pictures flood Sam and the tears in her eyes flood over. Pulling her to him, he wraps his arms around her and holds on tightly. "A few more minutes, Sam. If we had taken a few more minutes.."
"It's okay, Bailey." She mumbles into his chest, trying to compose herself. "We got there before it happened. They ran a rape kit anyway right?"
"Yeah, it was negative. Look, I'm going with you to talk to St. Claire." Bailey demands as Sam pulls away, shaking her head no. "You aren't going alone."
" I'm not taking you with me. Bailey, you saw what happened with your hand. You really believe you won't end up losing your job if you are within fifty feet of this guy? Listen, you told all of us to stay outside even though we knew John was in there. We obeyed that request, because you reminded us this was what you were trained to do. You had to be the first through the door with the gun. We all gave you that. Now it's my turn to go through the door first. I have to be focused on this guy, not you if you are about to blow your career by killing him. Stay here with John. Talk to him. Try and get him to agree to see the other members of the team and let me do what I'm trained to do. I want this guy and I'm going to get him."
hr Bailey's eyes fly open as he watches the younger man let our another ear- piercing scream. The sweat is beading across John's forehead and his breathing is erratic. His eyes are closed shut tightly and he can feel the terror his friend is fighting. "John, open your eyes." Bailey instructs gently. When John refuses to acknowledge him, Bailey says again. "John, listen to me, it's Bailey. You're safe. Open your eyes so you can see that you are okay."
The pale blue-gray eyes flicker open and cautiously take in the surroundings. John slowly takes in the vision of the hospital room and then he sets his frightened gaze on Bailey. "I thought you went home." He mumbles angrily, trying to mask his fear. Damn it, I can't even suffer in peace.
"I told you I wouldn't leave." Bailey reminds him. "Look, it's natural for you to be scared after going through that nightmare, but you aren't alone."
"I know and it's pissing me off." John seethes. "Jesus, Bailey, I'm not a little kid. Go home and baby sit your daughter and leave me the Hell alone."
"You want to get mad at me, John?" Bailey asks calmly. "Okay, if that's what you need then go ahead. You are my friend and I will not allow you to go through this alone. Nightmares can take a lot out of someone, John. They can make you go crazy if you don't work through what's causing them. Do you have any idea what kind of night terrors I suffered through after the war?"
"Do I care?" John asks bitterly. A little voice deep inside him warns him not to continue being a jerk. He knows Bailey is worried about him and he should feel grateful but all he can feel is anger and hate. Hate for the psycho who hurt him, hate for the fact Bailey had to find him in that position. Suddenly it occurs to him that a certain blond and her psychobabble is missing from this picture. "Where is Sam?" John demands. When Bailey quickly looks away, John yells out. "Where IS she?"
"She went down to interview Collin St. Claire." Bailey finally admits, not wanting to have John disturb the other patients with his yelling. He watches as emotions cloud over his friend's face and tries to figure out exactly what John is thinking.
"That was his name?" John manages to ask. "Collin St. Claire?" The name nearly chokes him.
"Yeah."
"You're sitting here, playing nursemaid to me while Samantha is interviewing the LUNATIC who put me here?" John demands, clearly enraged. "I'm out of here."
"John, you don't have a choice in the matter. You know I would never allow anything to happen to Sam." Bailey demands as John just laughs at him.
"Yeah, like nothing happened to me right?" When a pained expression crosses over Bailey's face, John momentarily regrets how that came out. Then he remembers where Sam is. "Damn it, Bailey! I'm stuck lying in this bed and she is interviewing him? Pumping him for information about MY case. He'll tell her, you know. He'll taunt her with the fact that he almost.." John can't even get the words out and looks up at the ceiling as he attempts to quickly regain his composure. A few seconds pass before he can meet Malone's concerned gaze. "He will try and hurt her to get to me."
"Sam is being guarded, John. If you want to worry about someone, I'd start praying for St. Claire's sorry ass. Once Sam starts in on him, he's not going to stand a chance." Bailey takes his seat next to John. "I told you that she would have to know about it, John. You have nothing to be ashamed about."
John says nothing, refusing to even look at Bailey. He stares straight ahead and attempt to tune him out. Shut up. He thinks to himself. Just shut the fuck up, Malone. Don't start the counseling shit with me. I don't need this.
"John, you can't just pretend nothing happened to you. The team will help you, but you have to accept the help. John, damn it, I know you can hear me. The team wants to see you." Bailey demands only to be met with silence. "You aren't going to shut down on me, Grant."
John continues his silent escape from his current situation. His entire body feels like it's on fire. He can't even name on body part that doesn't hurt. I will sell my soul to the Devil if he can give me the strength to rip out this IV, push past Bailey and security and get me as far away from Atlanta as possible. A thought enters his head. If they send me into the psych ward maybe they will keep the visitors away. Of course, once I'm there and they realize I probably have lost what is left of my mind with the screaming fits then I will never get out. Would that even be such a bad thing though? One look around the hospital room confirms it. He wouldn't last a week locked in here. "I want out of here." John finally demands. "Get me the Doctor so I can sign the release papers."
hr
Sam takes a deep breath as she stares at the man through the glass. Four armed agents will remain where she stands, watching her as she consults with the man who terrorized John. Collin St. Claire. She'd been reading his file and was surprised to find very little there. His Father and younger brother were killed over a year ago. That kind of loss can turn just about anyone into an emotional wreck, but the pain he inflicted on John was inhumane. Obviously, she needed to find out what made him do it. She also needs to know everything he did to John. Bracing herself for the answers to her questions, she finally enters the room and closes the door behind her. The man is in his mid to late thirties, his eyes are cold, hard, almost taunting. His hands and feet are shackled together and he smiles at her. "I've been expecting you, Dr. Waters."
"I see you've done your research." Sam counters without displaying any emotion. Taking a seat across the table from him, she watches as he leers at her. A cold chill runs up her back as she gets a flash of that same leering face standing over John about to violate him sexually. The fear and humiliation that John felt. The desperation to get away.
"Oh, I believe you've done your research on me too. How is Johnny boy?" Collin asks, searching her face for some kind of reaction and seething with hate when he receives nothing but a cool, professional stare in return. She must be one Hell of a poker player.
"I read that your Father and Brother were murdered recently." Sam begins only to have him smile at her.
"Johnny's Daddy executed them cause they couldn't pay back their markers. After he beat them repeatedly, broke fingers, hands, ect. You know, he kept trying to give them chances. Such a nice guy. I talked to him yesterday night when they booked me. That one phone call you know. I hope he brings his boy some pretty flowers." Collin delights in her paled expression. "What's the matter, Doc? You look a little pale?"
"You called Patrick O'Doyle to tell him what you did to his son?" Sam asks, a million visions flashing through her mind as the anxiety threatens to show. He's not finished with John. The worst thing John could imagine happening would be for his father to see him this way. A man this psychotic can't be this clean. He has to have a record somewhere. "Aren't you worried he may retaliate?"
"By doing what? Killing me? I'm going to do life for almost killing that little bastard of his. He sends someone to kill me, then I get off pretty easy, don't you think?" Leaning closer, he cocks his head to the side. "The look on Johnny's face when he sees his Daddy will be priceless. Be sure to take a picture for me, Honey. Call it my last request." He leans back, laughing at his own sick joke.
"What did you do to John?" Sam asks. There is no way Patrick O'Doyle will get near John's room, she reminds herself. There are guards posted at his door and Bailey is with him. He wants me to take the bait and run for a phone.
"Taught him a lesson. The Sins of the Father fall directly on the Son." Collin replies calmly. "Did he tell you he begged for death?"
"That was what you wanted." Sam states simply.
"Yeah, I wanted him to beg and plead for death. He was so damn cocky. Swore he'd never break, but everyone can be broken, Dr. Waters. You just have to know what will cause them to turn inside themselves and find no comfort." He watches as she looks at him. "You found an appropriate profile yet, Doctor?"
"I'm working on it." Sam muses. "How did you break Agent Grant?"
"Now, if I tell you all my secrets, how will I ever get you to come back and visit again?" Collin asks.
"I thought you figured you would be dying soon. Surely you want some kind of satisfaction by telling me all the details." Her dark blue eyes bore into him as a smile tugs at his lips.
"They won't allow anyone near me until I get sentenced." Collin reminds her. "I have plenty of time to see you again. Tell you what, ask him this. Ask John if he would have begged all throughout the time I fucked him? Would he have closed his eyes and thought of you? It was the mere mention of my coming to visit you and that beautiful little girl of yours that got him into the car. I wonder, as time goes by, if he will start to hate you for that." Collin smiles at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Time's up, Doctor. See you next session."
Sam exits the room silently and waits until the door is closed behind her before she takes out her cell phone and places the call to Bailey. "Bailey, I'm on my way back. We have a problem though."
"I know." Bailey replies as he hears the yelling increase in volume from outside John's room. "I'll see you when you get here." Hanging up the phone, he turns to John who is registering the noise from outside. He watches as the younger man's face begins to pale and his hands start to shake.
"Get out of my way, Lady. He's MY Son and I have every right to see him." The booming voice echoes throughout the room, muffled slightly by the door.
"No, Please, no this can't be happening." John mumbles as he tries to get a handle on his emotions. "Who called him?" He demands, looking at Bailey with accusing eyes.
"I'll find out. Just don't worry about it. He won't be coming in. I'll handle it." Bailey quickly exits the room, closing the door behind him, but remains standing in the doorway as a personal barrier between the man who is yelling at an infuriated Grace.
"You have no right to stand in my way." Patrick O'Doyle demands.
"You have no right to be here." Grace yells back. "I don't care if the President of the Country called you; you're not going anywhere near John Grant."
"His name is O'Doyle." Patrick grinds out through gritted teeth.
"How did he get here?" Bailey asks as he takes in the man standing in front of Grace. The resemblance to his Son is remarkable. No wonder John hates him so much, he thinks to himself, he sees the resemblance physically and doesn't want to be anymore like him than that.
"Apparently St. Claire called him to boast about the attack." Grace explains, her eyes still set on John's father, glaring at him. "He has been informed to get the Hell out of here."
"You heard her." Bailey growls, attempting to keep his temper in check. This man is the reason John ended up dealing with that psycho in the first place. "Get out."
"You may be his boss, Agent Malone, but I am his Father. No one will keep me away from my son." Patrick challenges. "Now get out of my way before I call someone to move you."
"Why don't you try and move me yourself?" Bailey challenges with a wicked smile. "Because the only way you are getting into this room is over my dead body."
"That can be arranged." Patrick spits out right before he is shoved up against the wall by an Agent whose been helping to guard the room. "What are you doing?" He demands as the cuffs are placed on him.
"Arresting you for threatening my life." Bailey explains. "We all heard you. You will have plenty of time to think about your words while we investigate Mr. St. Claire's claims of your ordering his families death. Take him downtown." Bailey instructs as he watches the elder O'Doyle being lead away. Turning to Grace he smiles proudly. "Well done, Mother Bear." He teases.
"Yeah, you too, Father Bear." Grace quips, allowing a smile for the first time since she arrived at the hospital. "You better go check on him."
"Yeah, send Sam in just as soon as she gets here, okay?" Bailey asks before turning to leave. "I can't believe he stood his ground and argued with you. Brave man."
"Not brave, Bail, just stupid." Grace informs him just before he
"He gone?" John asks, his voice soft but void of any emotion.
"Yes, he's gone." Bailey replies, taking a seat next to his friend. "We got him John."
"What?" He asks, clearly confused.
"Patrick O'Doyle threatened me in front of witnesses. We have him. He'll remain locked up and we'll have plenty of time to connect him to the St. Claire murders. You will never have to worry about him showing up again." Bailey assures him.
"He threatened you in public?" John asks, shaking his head. "There is no way he would do that, Bailey. Patrick is a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them."
"I may have baited him." Bailey admits. "He was pretty worked up at the time and I don't think he realized what he said."
"Bailey, you don't get it." John announces angrily. "He doesn't just SAY things. If he got busted for THREATENING you, then he will KILL you. Damn it! I want out of this hospital bed. Between you and Sam, I'm going to have a stroke. What's next? George and Gracie going to enter into a suicide pact? GET ME OUT OF HERE."
Warnings: I covered them in the first two chapters but this story contains severe emotional and physical trauma and past references to childhood abuse. Rape did not occur but it is discussed.
John lets out a blood-curdling scream as his eyes flash open. Immediately he realizes he's not in his apartment and his blood runs cold. He feels hands on him, a soft voice trying to reassure him he's fine, but then the pain sets in. The mind numbing physical pain washes over him along with an avalanche of emotions. Anger, fear, violation...he can feel her next to him. "HELP!!!" He yells again as he tries to push away the hands. They are to small to be his attackers, but he can't seem to make his eyes focus. He can barely breath as the door to his room opens and he hears the voices. "What happened?" Bailey demands as a Doctor pushes past him to get to John.
"Nightmare." Sam whispers, still trying to soothe the injured and frightened man. "John, it's okay. No one can hurt you. It's Sam."
"Don't." He yells, his eyes still focused at a blank spot on the ceiling. "Get away. Just get away from me."
"John, look at me." She presses as she watches the Doctor pump something into his IV. "It's Sam and Bailey, John. We're here; no one can hurt you now."
"Sam?" He finally manages to say as he forces himself to meet her gaze. He feels his head begin to cloud as he takes in the images of the people in front of him. Sam is standing over him; her hand is gently brushing his dark hair from his face. Her voice is soothing and comforting and he can vaguely remember that her voice and touch is what lulled him to sleep to begin with. John focuses on Bailey, standing next to Sam, looking down at him with concern. The same concerned look he had when he saw him cuffed to that bed. The Doctor is mumbling something to Bailey and Bailey shakes his head. God, why can't I hear them?
"I said no. He doesn't need to be moved to the psych floor." Bailey hisses through an angry whisper.
"He is exhibiting signs of severe emotional trauma. Not to mention the physical trauma he endured. I believe he would be better suited in our psychiatric wing. Detective Grant will get worse before he gets better. Now you are his next of kin..."
"So, you listen to me when I say, no way. He isn't going to the psych ward." Bailey growls.
"Psych ward?" John asks sleepily. "What did I do?"
"Nothing, John." Sam declares gently before shooting the Doctor a withering glare. "I'm going to speak to the Doctor outside, Bailey will stay in here with you while you sleep."
"I'm so tired." He replies with a yawn, barely able to keep his eyes open as Bailey takes a seat next to him by the hospital bed. "You were here all night?" John asks between yawns.
"Yeah. You shouldn't fight the sleep. Time to start rebuilding your strength, John." Bailey whispers as the younger man eyes begin to shut. "I'll be here when you wake up."
"No, go home and sleep." John whispers. "I'll be okay. Thanks.."
"For what?" Bailey asks wincing when he sees John grimace from the pain.
"For not letting them put in me in the Wacky room. I doubt I could make it back out." John yawns again and then manages a sleepy smile. "I can't even fight the sleep. Don't worry, I'll try not to wake up the other patients next time I open my eyes."
With that, the younger detective is asleep and Bailey leans back in the chair, watching over him protectively. Damn that Doctor. John's not crazy and he doesn't need to be placed with crazy people. He looks over to the door and smiles, bet Sam is handing that Doctor his ass on a silver plate.
How dare you even discuss that while in the same room with the patient!" Sam seethes as she paces in front of the Doctor. "You gave him an injection; you didn't take away his ability to hear the people around him! John Grant has enough to deal with; he doesn't need to have the fear of the Psych ward looming over his head."
"I wasn't trying to scare Mr. Grant." The doctor begins only to be cut off by Sam.
"Detective Grant." Sam corrects him. "He is a Federal Agent who puts his butt on the line every day to save people like yourself. You will treat him with some respect. We are all aware of the entire trauma John went through. I'm a Profiler and I will be handling Detective Grant's case."
"I think you are to personally involved to provide an objective opinion on what Det. Grant needs. Listen, I understand that this is hard on all of you, but I have his best interests at heart. Do you even have all the facts of the case?" The Doctor challenges. "Do you know EVERYTHING that happened to John Grant? Because if you are taking over as his chief Psychological Dr. I would suggest you understand exactly what you're dealing with." Turning on his foot, the Dr. adds. "If you should decide you need assistance, Dr. Waters, I will be around."
Sam opens the door to the room and whispers for Bailey to join her outside. "Did he fall asleep okay?" "Yeah, same old John. Cracking jokes all the way to Sand land. I take it the Doctor was informed to never do that again." Bailey replies as Sam nods her head. "Good. I won't be so nice if it should ever happen again."
"Listen. Bailey, we really haven't had much of a chance to talk since this all went down. You were the first one in the door, you found him. Is there anything about the case that I should know that I don't?" Sam asks bluntly, one look into Bailey's eyes and she lets out the breath she'd been holding. "Was John raped?" The question is painful to ask and she braces herself for the answer.
"No." Bailey manages to mumble. "Sam, I think it would be best if you waited until John woke up. You can ask him any questions that you have."
"If I'm going to be effective in treating him, then I'm going to need all the facts Bailey. Just so you know, I'm planning on seeing his attacker, Collin St. Claire, later this morning so I can get his perspective of the crime." Sam informs him. "I would like to have all the information available to me before I step inside a room with the guy. So, I'm going to ask you again. Is there anything else I need to know about John's case?"
Bailey sags against the wall, feeling his age and the stress of the day's events. "I gave him my word, Sam."
"I can't help him unless I know what I'm dealing with, Bailey. It's not like I'm going to rush into the room and tell him you gave me the details. Now, explain to me what you saw. Tell me what I'm missing so I can help him."
"I was the first one into the room. I saw the guy leering at John." Bailey pushes the bile back down that threatens to hit his throat. "John was cuffed to the bed and there was blood everywhere. It was instinct really, I just pushed the door back closed behind me and yelled at the guy to drop to his knees."
"Why did you push the door closed?" Sam asks, studying Bailey's face as the mental pictures begin to form in her mind.
" He was badly beaten, Sam. It was really bad. The guy...the guy looked like he was in the process of getting ready to rape him when I came in. All of John's body was basically exposed, you know? He just had on these damn boxers that were splattered with blood. Cuts and welts and blood. It turned my stomach especially when I realized what was about to happen. If we'd been a few minutes later.." Bailey closes his eyes as he tries to push the thought out of his head. "A couple of Officers came in and took the guy out once he was on his knees and I informed them to keep everyone out."
"You wanted to protect him from anyone seeing him like that?" Sam asks, already knowing the answer.
"His dignity, you know? Once I uncuffed him, he got up, against my wishes. Started pulling on those clothes, ignoring the cuts and bruises. He demanded to know if anyone else from the team was around and when I told him yes, He blew up. Threatening me with God knows what if I let anyone know how close that psycho came to raping him. When he got up and I saw that his chest was almost in worst condition than his back and legs, I almost got sick and he noticed that. Told me if I couldn't handle what he looked like, then neither could the team. He found a T-shirt in the closet, threw it on and then you came in." Bailey watches as the mental pictures flood Sam and the tears in her eyes flood over. Pulling her to him, he wraps his arms around her and holds on tightly. "A few more minutes, Sam. If we had taken a few more minutes.."
"It's okay, Bailey." She mumbles into his chest, trying to compose herself. "We got there before it happened. They ran a rape kit anyway right?"
"Yeah, it was negative. Look, I'm going with you to talk to St. Claire." Bailey demands as Sam pulls away, shaking her head no. "You aren't going alone."
" I'm not taking you with me. Bailey, you saw what happened with your hand. You really believe you won't end up losing your job if you are within fifty feet of this guy? Listen, you told all of us to stay outside even though we knew John was in there. We obeyed that request, because you reminded us this was what you were trained to do. You had to be the first through the door with the gun. We all gave you that. Now it's my turn to go through the door first. I have to be focused on this guy, not you if you are about to blow your career by killing him. Stay here with John. Talk to him. Try and get him to agree to see the other members of the team and let me do what I'm trained to do. I want this guy and I'm going to get him."
hr Bailey's eyes fly open as he watches the younger man let our another ear- piercing scream. The sweat is beading across John's forehead and his breathing is erratic. His eyes are closed shut tightly and he can feel the terror his friend is fighting. "John, open your eyes." Bailey instructs gently. When John refuses to acknowledge him, Bailey says again. "John, listen to me, it's Bailey. You're safe. Open your eyes so you can see that you are okay."
The pale blue-gray eyes flicker open and cautiously take in the surroundings. John slowly takes in the vision of the hospital room and then he sets his frightened gaze on Bailey. "I thought you went home." He mumbles angrily, trying to mask his fear. Damn it, I can't even suffer in peace.
"I told you I wouldn't leave." Bailey reminds him. "Look, it's natural for you to be scared after going through that nightmare, but you aren't alone."
"I know and it's pissing me off." John seethes. "Jesus, Bailey, I'm not a little kid. Go home and baby sit your daughter and leave me the Hell alone."
"You want to get mad at me, John?" Bailey asks calmly. "Okay, if that's what you need then go ahead. You are my friend and I will not allow you to go through this alone. Nightmares can take a lot out of someone, John. They can make you go crazy if you don't work through what's causing them. Do you have any idea what kind of night terrors I suffered through after the war?"
"Do I care?" John asks bitterly. A little voice deep inside him warns him not to continue being a jerk. He knows Bailey is worried about him and he should feel grateful but all he can feel is anger and hate. Hate for the psycho who hurt him, hate for the fact Bailey had to find him in that position. Suddenly it occurs to him that a certain blond and her psychobabble is missing from this picture. "Where is Sam?" John demands. When Bailey quickly looks away, John yells out. "Where IS she?"
"She went down to interview Collin St. Claire." Bailey finally admits, not wanting to have John disturb the other patients with his yelling. He watches as emotions cloud over his friend's face and tries to figure out exactly what John is thinking.
"That was his name?" John manages to ask. "Collin St. Claire?" The name nearly chokes him.
"Yeah."
"You're sitting here, playing nursemaid to me while Samantha is interviewing the LUNATIC who put me here?" John demands, clearly enraged. "I'm out of here."
"John, you don't have a choice in the matter. You know I would never allow anything to happen to Sam." Bailey demands as John just laughs at him.
"Yeah, like nothing happened to me right?" When a pained expression crosses over Bailey's face, John momentarily regrets how that came out. Then he remembers where Sam is. "Damn it, Bailey! I'm stuck lying in this bed and she is interviewing him? Pumping him for information about MY case. He'll tell her, you know. He'll taunt her with the fact that he almost.." John can't even get the words out and looks up at the ceiling as he attempts to quickly regain his composure. A few seconds pass before he can meet Malone's concerned gaze. "He will try and hurt her to get to me."
"Sam is being guarded, John. If you want to worry about someone, I'd start praying for St. Claire's sorry ass. Once Sam starts in on him, he's not going to stand a chance." Bailey takes his seat next to John. "I told you that she would have to know about it, John. You have nothing to be ashamed about."
John says nothing, refusing to even look at Bailey. He stares straight ahead and attempt to tune him out. Shut up. He thinks to himself. Just shut the fuck up, Malone. Don't start the counseling shit with me. I don't need this.
"John, you can't just pretend nothing happened to you. The team will help you, but you have to accept the help. John, damn it, I know you can hear me. The team wants to see you." Bailey demands only to be met with silence. "You aren't going to shut down on me, Grant."
John continues his silent escape from his current situation. His entire body feels like it's on fire. He can't even name on body part that doesn't hurt. I will sell my soul to the Devil if he can give me the strength to rip out this IV, push past Bailey and security and get me as far away from Atlanta as possible. A thought enters his head. If they send me into the psych ward maybe they will keep the visitors away. Of course, once I'm there and they realize I probably have lost what is left of my mind with the screaming fits then I will never get out. Would that even be such a bad thing though? One look around the hospital room confirms it. He wouldn't last a week locked in here. "I want out of here." John finally demands. "Get me the Doctor so I can sign the release papers."
hr
Sam takes a deep breath as she stares at the man through the glass. Four armed agents will remain where she stands, watching her as she consults with the man who terrorized John. Collin St. Claire. She'd been reading his file and was surprised to find very little there. His Father and younger brother were killed over a year ago. That kind of loss can turn just about anyone into an emotional wreck, but the pain he inflicted on John was inhumane. Obviously, she needed to find out what made him do it. She also needs to know everything he did to John. Bracing herself for the answers to her questions, she finally enters the room and closes the door behind her. The man is in his mid to late thirties, his eyes are cold, hard, almost taunting. His hands and feet are shackled together and he smiles at her. "I've been expecting you, Dr. Waters."
"I see you've done your research." Sam counters without displaying any emotion. Taking a seat across the table from him, she watches as he leers at her. A cold chill runs up her back as she gets a flash of that same leering face standing over John about to violate him sexually. The fear and humiliation that John felt. The desperation to get away.
"Oh, I believe you've done your research on me too. How is Johnny boy?" Collin asks, searching her face for some kind of reaction and seething with hate when he receives nothing but a cool, professional stare in return. She must be one Hell of a poker player.
"I read that your Father and Brother were murdered recently." Sam begins only to have him smile at her.
"Johnny's Daddy executed them cause they couldn't pay back their markers. After he beat them repeatedly, broke fingers, hands, ect. You know, he kept trying to give them chances. Such a nice guy. I talked to him yesterday night when they booked me. That one phone call you know. I hope he brings his boy some pretty flowers." Collin delights in her paled expression. "What's the matter, Doc? You look a little pale?"
"You called Patrick O'Doyle to tell him what you did to his son?" Sam asks, a million visions flashing through her mind as the anxiety threatens to show. He's not finished with John. The worst thing John could imagine happening would be for his father to see him this way. A man this psychotic can't be this clean. He has to have a record somewhere. "Aren't you worried he may retaliate?"
"By doing what? Killing me? I'm going to do life for almost killing that little bastard of his. He sends someone to kill me, then I get off pretty easy, don't you think?" Leaning closer, he cocks his head to the side. "The look on Johnny's face when he sees his Daddy will be priceless. Be sure to take a picture for me, Honey. Call it my last request." He leans back, laughing at his own sick joke.
"What did you do to John?" Sam asks. There is no way Patrick O'Doyle will get near John's room, she reminds herself. There are guards posted at his door and Bailey is with him. He wants me to take the bait and run for a phone.
"Taught him a lesson. The Sins of the Father fall directly on the Son." Collin replies calmly. "Did he tell you he begged for death?"
"That was what you wanted." Sam states simply.
"Yeah, I wanted him to beg and plead for death. He was so damn cocky. Swore he'd never break, but everyone can be broken, Dr. Waters. You just have to know what will cause them to turn inside themselves and find no comfort." He watches as she looks at him. "You found an appropriate profile yet, Doctor?"
"I'm working on it." Sam muses. "How did you break Agent Grant?"
"Now, if I tell you all my secrets, how will I ever get you to come back and visit again?" Collin asks.
"I thought you figured you would be dying soon. Surely you want some kind of satisfaction by telling me all the details." Her dark blue eyes bore into him as a smile tugs at his lips.
"They won't allow anyone near me until I get sentenced." Collin reminds her. "I have plenty of time to see you again. Tell you what, ask him this. Ask John if he would have begged all throughout the time I fucked him? Would he have closed his eyes and thought of you? It was the mere mention of my coming to visit you and that beautiful little girl of yours that got him into the car. I wonder, as time goes by, if he will start to hate you for that." Collin smiles at her with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Time's up, Doctor. See you next session."
Sam exits the room silently and waits until the door is closed behind her before she takes out her cell phone and places the call to Bailey. "Bailey, I'm on my way back. We have a problem though."
"I know." Bailey replies as he hears the yelling increase in volume from outside John's room. "I'll see you when you get here." Hanging up the phone, he turns to John who is registering the noise from outside. He watches as the younger man's face begins to pale and his hands start to shake.
"Get out of my way, Lady. He's MY Son and I have every right to see him." The booming voice echoes throughout the room, muffled slightly by the door.
"No, Please, no this can't be happening." John mumbles as he tries to get a handle on his emotions. "Who called him?" He demands, looking at Bailey with accusing eyes.
"I'll find out. Just don't worry about it. He won't be coming in. I'll handle it." Bailey quickly exits the room, closing the door behind him, but remains standing in the doorway as a personal barrier between the man who is yelling at an infuriated Grace.
"You have no right to stand in my way." Patrick O'Doyle demands.
"You have no right to be here." Grace yells back. "I don't care if the President of the Country called you; you're not going anywhere near John Grant."
"His name is O'Doyle." Patrick grinds out through gritted teeth.
"How did he get here?" Bailey asks as he takes in the man standing in front of Grace. The resemblance to his Son is remarkable. No wonder John hates him so much, he thinks to himself, he sees the resemblance physically and doesn't want to be anymore like him than that.
"Apparently St. Claire called him to boast about the attack." Grace explains, her eyes still set on John's father, glaring at him. "He has been informed to get the Hell out of here."
"You heard her." Bailey growls, attempting to keep his temper in check. This man is the reason John ended up dealing with that psycho in the first place. "Get out."
"You may be his boss, Agent Malone, but I am his Father. No one will keep me away from my son." Patrick challenges. "Now get out of my way before I call someone to move you."
"Why don't you try and move me yourself?" Bailey challenges with a wicked smile. "Because the only way you are getting into this room is over my dead body."
"That can be arranged." Patrick spits out right before he is shoved up against the wall by an Agent whose been helping to guard the room. "What are you doing?" He demands as the cuffs are placed on him.
"Arresting you for threatening my life." Bailey explains. "We all heard you. You will have plenty of time to think about your words while we investigate Mr. St. Claire's claims of your ordering his families death. Take him downtown." Bailey instructs as he watches the elder O'Doyle being lead away. Turning to Grace he smiles proudly. "Well done, Mother Bear." He teases.
"Yeah, you too, Father Bear." Grace quips, allowing a smile for the first time since she arrived at the hospital. "You better go check on him."
"Yeah, send Sam in just as soon as she gets here, okay?" Bailey asks before turning to leave. "I can't believe he stood his ground and argued with you. Brave man."
"Not brave, Bail, just stupid." Grace informs him just before he
"He gone?" John asks, his voice soft but void of any emotion.
"Yes, he's gone." Bailey replies, taking a seat next to his friend. "We got him John."
"What?" He asks, clearly confused.
"Patrick O'Doyle threatened me in front of witnesses. We have him. He'll remain locked up and we'll have plenty of time to connect him to the St. Claire murders. You will never have to worry about him showing up again." Bailey assures him.
"He threatened you in public?" John asks, shaking his head. "There is no way he would do that, Bailey. Patrick is a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them."
"I may have baited him." Bailey admits. "He was pretty worked up at the time and I don't think he realized what he said."
"Bailey, you don't get it." John announces angrily. "He doesn't just SAY things. If he got busted for THREATENING you, then he will KILL you. Damn it! I want out of this hospital bed. Between you and Sam, I'm going to have a stroke. What's next? George and Gracie going to enter into a suicide pact? GET ME OUT OF HERE."