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ROME AMERICAN HOSPITAL

There was no change in Anna the next morning when AJ returned.  He walked into the room and handed Clay a cup of coffee.

"Go stretch your legs I'll sit with her." AJ said as an order.

"I'm fine," Clay said.

"Clay, go for a walk. You need to move." AJ stated firmly.

"I'll be back in 5 minutes." Clay said and AJ sat down.

"Anna, it's the Admiral." AJ began. "You've given us quite a scare. Webb's been with you all night; I never thought I would see the day where Clayton Webb was so emotional. He is in love with you.  It's breaking his heart that you got hurt and that you aren't opening your eyes.   You did a brave thing, sacrificing yourself for him.  I know you're tired right now, get your rest but he needs you.  He loves you." He sat with her and held her hand.

"Thanks for staying with her AJ." Clay said walking back in.

"We had a nice chat." AJ said with a smile as he got up. "I figure Anna's mother should be here soon."

"Mac said they were taking the first flight they could get." Clay replied.

Clay sat vigil for the next 4 hours; he talked to Anna about everything. "Remember that first time we went to Manassas and Rick threw me.  You thought it was hysterical didn't you.  And I haven't had ribs since that night at Baby Backs; we have to go there again. I'll even dance. Anna? Please open your eyes.  We're planning on that New York Philharmonic concert in Central Park and going to Wolf Trap for shows.  Maybe when we get home we can take a trip. Spend a nice long weekend on Martha's Vineyard.  I know you say that it's too blue blood for you, but it could be fun.  Maybe go to Vegas? Anything you want; just open your eyes and tell me what you want. We can't do anything until you open your eyes, please open your eyes. I want to see you dancing around again, I want to hear you singing, and I want to hear you laughing."

Clay put his head down on the bed again.  He was dozing off when he heard voices outside the room.

"I'm Dr. Angelo Gianetti, this is Lucia Paparini. What happened?" Angelo demanded of AJ. "And exactly who are you?"

"I'm Admiral AJ Chegwidden, the Judge Advocate General.  I am a friend of Clayton Webb's and Anna's for that matter."

"And you got her shot?" Angelo asked. "Some friends."

"Angelo calm down." Lucia said. "Let the man speak."

"She was in Prizzi with a man named Anthony Corelli. There was a verbal confrontation and then Corelli pulled a gun. He fired and Anna was hit." AJ said.

"I want to see my daughter." Lucia interrupted. She walked into the room and saw Clay sitting there with his head down. "Clayton."

"Lucia, I am so sorry." Clay said lifting his head and looking at her. "I came here to help her not hurt her."

"She's a strong girl." Lucia said looking at her daughter. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Have you gotten any rest?"

"I'm fine." Clay replied.

"You killing yourself will not help her." Lucia said.

"I'm fine, really.  I am just so worried about her." Clay said.

"I know." Lucia said moving closer to her daughter.

"Please sit down," Clay said getting up. "I'll leave you two alone."

Clay left the room and was with Angelo and AJ outside the door.

"Webb you did this." Angelo snapped.

"It was an accident, Corelli was aiming at me." Clay said. "I'm sorry."

"Corelli was involved? Why the hell are the Corellis involved? What made you come here?" Angelo asked.

"She sent me a letter indicating where she was. We came to get her. I knew she was kidnapped." Clay said.

"You're a bureaucratic, what made you think you could deal with a kidnapper?" Angelo shouted. "The family would have handled this. You should have told us."

"I knew I could." Clay said. "And if she wanted your help she would have asked for it."

"Oh you knew you could? That's good." Angelo snapped.  "You don't know these people."

"I have been trained in these situations, we both have." AJ said.

"Trained? A paper pusher and a lawyer," Angelo said.

"Angelo, he's a former Navy Seal and I…" Clay began.

"And you what?" Angelo snapped.

"I am not a paper pusher as you so aptly put it; I am the Deputy Director of Operations at the CIA.  Anna knew that, that's why she let me know where she was. She knew I would have the means to get her." Clay stated.

"That's great, you did a wonderful job." Angelo snapped.

"Angelo, listen to me." Clay began.

"Webb if she dies it will be on your hands." Angelo shouted.

"You don't think I know that?" Clay snapped. "Don't you think I would trade places with her if I could."

Lucia came to the door, "Will you two stop your yelling."

"Sorry Lucia." Webb said.

"Lucia, he is responsible for this." Angelo said.

"Corelli is responsible, and they will pay." Lucia threatened. "There was peace for 80 years."

"Ma'am Corelli's dead, Colonel MacKenzie shot him." AJ stated.

"But not before he shot Anna." Angelo said. "And you're protecting our country?"

"Basta," A faint voice was heard.  They turned and went into Anna's room. "Basta, Angelo enough." Anna said weakly.

"I'll get the doctor," AJ said.

"How are you pico?" Lucia said walking to her daughter.

"Fine Ma, you know what? It hurts just as much the second time." Anna said.

"Shh, be quiet." Lucia said kissing her daughter.

"Where's Clay?" Anna asked.

"Anna you're family is here now." Angelo said. "We will take care of you."

"Angelo, please stop." Anna whispered. "It wasn't his fault; I stepped in front of him. Where is he?"

"I'm right here." Clay said walking over.  He took Anna's hand and sat down. "You saved my life."

"I know blue blood." Anna whispered. "You came for me."

"I love you." Clay replied.

"That's good; it would have been a shame for me to take that bullet only to find that you didn't." Anna laughed and then winced.

"Always the mouth," Clay said as he leaned over and kissed her.

Lucia and Angelo quietly left the room; a few minutes later the Doctor came in and Clay left as well.

"Clay, I'm sorry." Angelo said extending his hand.

"Angelo if the tables had been reversed I would have reacted the same." Clay said taking his hand.

"So CIA" Angelo questioned.

"Yeah," Clay said.

"That's an important job."  Angelo said.

"What's important is that I love Anna." Clay said.

"I know you do Clayton." Lucia said.

The doctor let them know that Anna was doing very well, considering what she had been through.  She was moved out of ICU, they spent the rest of the day at the hospital.  Later in the evening, everyone got ready to leave.  Clay took a seat next to Anna.

"Clay, go to the hotel and get some rest." Anna said.

"I would rather stay with you." Clay said.

"You look terrible." Anna said.

"Thanks," Clay smiled.

"Please go get some rest." Anna urged.

"I will be back in the morning. I love you." Clay said.

"I love you too." Anna said and she crooked her finger and called him close. Clay leaned close and kissed her.  When they broke their kiss, Anna reached up and tapped his nose.

"Anna, you're terrible." Clay laughed; he kissed her again and returned to the hotel with Angelo, AJ and Lucia.