Lindsay saw Bobby fall out of the corner of her eye and screamed, "BOBBY!" She couldn't stop though, she had to get the gun away from Chris. She knew, without a doubt, that he'd kill her, the baby, and Bobby if she didn't.

Lindsay had the element of surprise on her side, but she was smaller and lighter than Chris. He flipped her quickly, but she fought back desperately. She clawed at his face, kicked, bit, did everything she could think of. Chris held her hands tightly and smacked her several times across the face but she was so desperate to stop him that she didn't even feel it. She managed to position her knee and bring it up hard, hitting him in the crotch. When he froze in pain, she wrenched her right arm free and rammed the heel of her hand into his nose. Blood spurted out of it onto her face and clothes but Lindsay didn't care.

She pushed him off of her and rolled on top of him, smacking his hand that held the gun into the floor until he released it. Then she grabbed him by the shirt collar and smacked his head against the floor twice. When he was unconscious, Lindsay stood up, grabbed the gun, and raced over to Bobby, tears streaming down her face. Bobby was standing up slowly and Lindsay had never been more relieved. He must be okay, he could stand.

Bobby saw Lindsay was okay and pulled her into his arms, holding tightly. "You're okay?" he asked softly.

Lindsay nodded against his chest. "He hit me a few times, I think."

Bobby drew back, needing to really look at her. "Lindsay, you're covered in blood!"

"It's his," she answered.

Bobby nodded. "Give me the gun and go call Mike."

Lindsay obeyed and as she turned to go, her gaze landed on his left shoulder. There was a deep gash that was oozing blood down his arm. "Bobby, you're hurt!"

Bobby shook his head, now aware of the intense pain. He'd been so worried about Lindsay that he hadn't noticed his own injury. "The bullet just grazed me."

"You need to go to the hospital!"

"I will," Bobby assured her. "As soon as he's taken away."

Lindsay made the call and returned to see that Bobby had tied Chris's hands behind his back with a handkerchief and tied his ankles the same way so even if he regained consciousness, he couldn't get away. Lindsay stood, shivering, in the doorway to the living room, holding a towel.

"Lindsay? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I brought you a towel...to help the bleeding. I'm so cold," she whispered. "So cold."

He took the towel and pressed it gently to his injury. Then Bobby grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and threw it around her shoulders. "You're in shock, honey. You're coming to the hospital too."

Lindsay didn't answer and Bobby sat down on the couch, pulling her into his lap and holding her tightly, in an effort to warm her, while trying not to pass out from the wound on his shoulder.

Mike arrived within 10 minutes and he stared at the scene in shock. He took one look at Bobby and Lindsay, Bobby who was bleeding still and Lindsay who was sitting huddled in his lap like a child, and called for two ambulances. When they arrived, Lindsay was loaded into one and Bobby the other with the promise that they'd go to the same hospital. Mike also called Helen and asked her to call Bobby's father and meet them there.

Helen raced into St. Anne's and up to the desk. "I'm looking for Lindsay Dole," she demanded.

The nurse nodded. "She's in exam 3."

"Do you know what happened?"

The nurse shook her head. "I don't know the whole story. Ms. Dole is suffering from a little shock. You can see her, but she needs to calm down. It's very important that she stays in bed until we're sure that she's alright."

Helen nodded. "I'll make sure she stays put." Helen walked in the room and found Lindsay sitting in bed, pale and frightened.

As soon as she saw Helen, Lindsay began talking. "How's Bobby?"

Helen was taken aback. "Bobby? Is he here? I haven't seen him."

"I have to go, I have to see him," Lindsay said as she pushed the blankets and tried to swing her legs over the bed.

Helen caught her legs and placed them back on the bed and pulled the covers up. She sat on the edge of the bed and rested one hand on each side of Lindsay's legs. "Lindsay, you're not going anywhere. The nurse said you have to stay laying down."

"I have to see him," Lindsay insisted, nearing hysterics.

"Why?" Helen asked, hoping to figure out what had happened. "Why is Bobby here?"

"It's my fault."

"What is?"

"He shot him."

"What?!" Helen exclaimed. "Who shot who?"

"Chris," Lindsay said, her voice breaking slightly. "Chris shot Bobby."

"Oh my God. Lindsay, honey calm down," Helen pulled her into a hug and held her there until Lindsay was slightly calmer. "Linds, what happened? How did Chris shoot Bobby?"

"I don't know!" Lindsay wailed, growing upset again. "I was getting ready for bed and we'd ordered a pizza. I heard the doorbell and when I came out, Chris was there. He was pointing a gun at Bobby. The next thing I knew, I was tackling Chris and the gun went off. I knocked Chris out and then I saw that Bobby was bleeding."

"Oh, babe," Helen said sympathetically. "Are you okay? How badly are you hurt? Is the baby okay?"

"I'm fine," Lindsay said firmly. "The doctor said it's just shock. I'll be fine. And the baby's fine too. But I need to see Bobby!"

Helen sighed. "How about we make a deal? I'll go check on Bobby for you and you stay here and try to rest. Okay?"

Lindsay sighed. Helen wasn't going to let her go and she knew it. "Fine. But hurry!"

"I will," Helen promised. She patted Lindsay's leg and left to go find Bobby.

Meanwhile, Bobby was in another room a few halls away with his father. Stephen had arrived right before Helen and found his only son not being a very good patient. While the doctor disinfected the gash, Bobby told his father what had happened. Bobby then began fidgeting anxiously on the bed. After the third time the doctor asked him to remain still, Stephen placed a concerned hand on his son's shoulder.

"What's wrong, Bobby?"

"I have to see Lindsay, Dad. She was so cold, she was shaking. I think she was in shock. I have to find her and make sure she's okay. And the baby. I promised I'd keep them safe."

"You'll be able to see her in a little while, I'm sure," Stephen tried to calm Bobby.

"I can't wait, Dad. I have to make sure that she's okay now. If they just put a bandage on it, I'll come back and let them stitch me up. I swear."

"Bobby, you're staying right here," Stephen answered firmly. "I'll go find Lindsay and check on her for you. Okay?"

Bobby sighed in frustration. "Fine."

Stephen squeezed Bobby's good shoulder gently. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Stephen left and turned towards the admitting desk to ask where Lindsay was. When he got there, a woman with dark hair was there in front of him.

"I need to know what room Bobby Donnell is in," she said. "He was brought in here about an hour ago, I think."

Stephen cleared his throat. "Why are you looking for my son's room?" he asked suspiciously.

Helen spun around and found herself looking into a pair of blue eyes that were very familiar. "He's a friend. And I'm trying to keep my best friend from hurting herself more by getting out of bed to check on him herself."

"Wait," Stephen said. "Do you mean Lindsay? Lindsay Dole?"

"Yes..." Helen answered slowly. "Oh, my God, you're Bobby's father. I didn't even realize what you'd said until just now! I'm sorry." She held out a hand. "I'm Helen Gamble."

"Stephen Donnell," he answered. "I'm actually on my way to see Lindsay now. Bobby's worried to death about her."

Helen nodded, understanding perfectly. "I practically had to hold Lindsay down to keep her from looking for him...how is he?"

"The doctors said he'll be fine. He'll have a scar, but there was no serious damage."

"Thank God," Helen answered with a sigh of relief.

"How's Lindsay?"

"She has a mild case of shock, but the baby's fine and the doctors say she will be too." Helen paused. "Why don't you go see her? She's in exam 3. You can update her on Bobby and I'll go tell him how she's doing."

Stephen nodded. "Good idea. Bobby's in exam 9. It's around the corner to the left, all the way down the hall, and make a right."

Helen smiled. "Thanks. Oh, make sure Lindsay stays in bed. The best way to treat shock is to keep her warm and laying down."

Stephen nodded. "I'll make sure she follows orders."

"Thanks," Helen said. She left to go find Bobby while Stephen headed for Lindsay's room. She knocked and entered to find Bobby sitting, watching the door impatiently. He saw her and he brightened slightly.

"Helen! Have you seen Lindsay?

Helen laughed. "I'm happy to see you too, Bobby. Yes, I've seen Lindsay. She's worried about you. She sent me to see how you were doing."

"I'm fine," Bobby insisted. "How is she? How's the baby?"

Helen patted his hand reassuringly. "They're fine. Lindsay has some shock, but the doctors said when it wears off she'll be perfectly fine."

"And the baby? She tackled him, Helen. She fought him, that can't be good for the baby."

"The baby's fine too."

Bobby breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed slightly against his pillow. "Can I see her?"

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. It opened and Stephen stuck his head in. "Someone wanted to visit," he said with an apologetic smile to Helen. Stephen then opened the door all the way and wheeled in Lindsay, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

Helen stared at Stephen in surprise. "What are you doing here? You promised that you'd make sure Lindsay stayed in bed!"

Lindsay rolled her eyes. "I convinced Stephen that it's worse for the baby and for me if I stay there, worried and stressed. He agreed."

Helen sighed and Lindsay wheeled herself up to Bobby's bed. Her smile was tremulous. "Hi," she said softly.

Bobby smiled and reached out, stroking the back of his knuckles down her cheek. "Hey," he whispered.

"How's your shoulder?" Lindsay asked worriedly.

"It's okay. They put a few stitches in it..."

"I'm sorry," Lindsay said, her eyes filling with tears. She was so happy that Bobby was okay, but terrified that he blamed her.

"Sorry for what?" Bobby asked, his brow furrowing.

"It's my fault he shot you," Lindsay whispered.

"No, Lindsay it's not your fault," Bobby said.

"He was my ex-boyfriend," she argued. "You were trying to protect the baby and me from him...if I hadn't been staying with you, you wouldn't be hurt."

Bobby shook his head. "When you came in, he was aiming at my head. You risked hurting yourself and the baby for me, Linds. He was going to kill me, but you stopped him. He barely grazed my shoulder. How are you?"

"I feel okay. Are you in pain?"

Bobby smiled slightly. "They gave me vicodin. I'm not in any pain."

Lindsay nodded, feeling a little better. "I'm glad."

Helen took the back of Lindsay's chair and pulled her away. "Okay, you've seen him. Now back to bed. The nurse said that you should stay in bed."

"Helen, I'm fine," Lindsay objected. "I want to stay here."

"Wait a sec," Bobby said. He scooted over in the bed and patted the space next to him. "Hop up."

Lindsay grinned and stood, carefully climbing onto the bed. She immediately curled against Bobby's side, her right hand resting over his heart. Feeling the beat of it beneath her palm reassured her that Bobby was, in fact, alright.

Bobby tucked his uninjured right arm around her and stroked her stomach with a smile. "You're both alright? Really?"

Lindsay nodded. "The doctor says we're both fine." Her stomach growled then and Bobby laughed.

"And apparently hungry."

"We'll go get dinner," Helen volunteered for herself and Stephen. Bobby and Lindsay looked like they could use some privacy. "What do you want?"

"I could still handle pizza," Bobby said. "What about you, Linds?"

"Pizza sounds good."

"What on it?" Helen asked, hoping for plain cheese.

Lindsay smiled, slightly evilly. "Mushrooms and sausage."

Helen wrinkled her nose. "Mushrooms?! Ew, Linds! That's a fungus!"

"Mmmm, fungus," Lindsay teased.

Helen was turning slightly green. "I'll order plain cheese for myself."

"How about cinnamon sticks?" Lindsay asked hopefully.

Helen laughed. "Yeah, we can get those too. Do you want to come with me, Mr. Donnell?"

Stephen nodded and they left the room with firm instructions to both to stay in bed. Once they were gone, Lindsay curled tighter to Bobby and he held her. After a few minutes, he felt her trembling slightly and looked down to see Lindsay crying.

"Lindsay, honey what's wrong?" Bobby whispered worriedly.

"I was so scared," she whispered. "I heard the gun shot and saw you fall and I was sure that you were dead and I couldn't stop to check because he would have killed me...I thought I'd killed you!"

"You saved me," Bobby corrected. "And you were so brave...you stopped him yourself. Which is a bit of a blow to Sir Bobby's ego. He was hoping to save Princess Lindsay, but she didn't need him. She saved herself."

"She needs him," Lindsay whispered. "She wouldn't have been able to stand up to the evil wizard without him. She did it to save him." Lindsay paused. "You're sure you're not in pain?"

"I promise," Bobby assured her.

"And you're going to be okay? You'll be able to use your arm okay?"

"I'll be fine. I'll have a scar, but I've heard that girls find scars impressive."

"Really?" Lindsay asked, laughing slightly. "Where did you hear that?"

"It's something all us guys know," Bobby answered with a smile. "I have a football scar on my knee that you'd love."

Lindsay giggled. "I've seen it, remember?"

"How about from when I had my appendix out when I was 12?"

Lindsay rolled her eyes. "Scars might be impressive to some girls, but not scars from surgery that most children have!"

"Right, you were in awe, you know it," Bobby teased as he hugged her tighter.

Lindsay shook her head but snuggled closer. She rested her right hand on his stomach and Bobby was able to move his left arm enough without hurting it that he could cover her hand with his. He began to play with her fingers slightly as they laid together, both just happy that the other wasn't badly hurt.

Outside in the hall, Helen and Stephen turned the corner and stopped by a bank of pay phones. After Helen placed her order for two pizzas, one with mushrooms (blech! she thought) and sausage and one with plain cheese, Stephen looked at her, then back towards the room.

"I wonder if they know," he said softly.

"Know what?" Helen asked.

"That they're in love," Stephen answered.

Understanding dawned on Helen's face and she nodded, smiling slightly. "I don't think so. They're operating under the guise of friends right now. I hope for Lindsay's sake, if nothing else, they don't figure it out for awhile."

Stephen turned quickly. "Why not? Bobby worships her..."

"I know," Helen interrupted. "But I've known Lindsay for a long time. She won't be ready to get into a new relationship for awhile. Especially after the disaster with Chris."

"Chris?" Stephen asked. "The man who shot Bobby? He was her boyfriend?"

Helen turned to face Stephen with a puzzled look on her face. "Bobby didn't tell you?"

"No, what?"

Helen sighed. "Chris Kelton was Lindsay's boyfriend. About a six weeks ago, he came to the office late at night and started hitting Lindsay." Helen drew a shaky breath and told Stephen about everything else that had happened. When she was finished, Stephen looked at her with sorrow etched on his face.

"I should have recognized the signs," he murmured softly.

Helen's brow furrowed. "None of us did and we've known her for years. You couldn't have expected yourself to Mr. Donnell, you just met her."

Stephen shook his head. "No. Bobby's mother...she was abused by a boyfriend. It was before I met her, but she was afraid to trust any man. I worked so hard to prove that I would never hurt her."

Helen smiled sympathetically. "Bobby's been good for her," she said softly. "She trusts him, at least as a friend. It'll take a long time for her to get over what Chris did to her. To both of them. I'm glad she can turn to Bobby though. She tries so hard to be strong all the time, she hates asking for help. I wish..." tears filled Helen's eyes. "I wish she'd told me sooner. Maybe I could have stopped all this, I could have protected her!"

Stephen laid a fatherly hand on Helen's shoulder. "One thing I learned from my wife, well one of many. She had to be ready to accept help first. You've done everything you can to help her."

Helen smiled slightly. "I'm prosecuting this one. That bastard'll regret ever laying a hand on Lindsay!"

Stephen frowned slightly. "Is that a good idea? With you being so close to it?"

Helen nodded firmly. "She's my best friend, the closest person in the world to me. I'll go at him harder than anyone else will. He's a DA, Mr. Donnell. I'm afraid that anyone else will see him as their co-worker or friend."

"I don't want him out again, Helen," Stephen said seriously. "I don't want him to ever have the chance to get near Lindsay or Bobby or the baby ever again...the baby, it's his, isn't it?"

Helen nodded sadly. "That's one thing I'm thankful for out of all of this, besides Lindsay finally being away from him. He won't get a chance to hurt the baby." She turned to Stephen and smiled. "And she has Bobby now. She won't hurt him Stephen. Even if she won't admit it yet, she loves him."

"He loves her, I can see it," Stephen answered.

"I'm just afraid that if she realizes too soon that she loves him, she'll run. They're so great together...I'd rather have her wait and have the kind of life she deserves than miss out on something great because it came at the wrong time."

"If it's right, it'll work out," Stephen assured her. They stopped when they saw the pizza man walk in the doors and look around, confused. Stephen left to get drinks while Helen took the food into Bobby and Lindsay. The nurse came in while they were eating and said that they wanted to keep Lindsay overnight to monitor her. She balked, but Bobby refused to listen and promised he'd stay with her. Stephen left not long after that. He said he'd talk to them the next day when they were home. Helen took Bobby's keys to the apartment and promised to try to get everything cleaned up for them and that she'd pick them up the next morning. She hugged Lindsay tightly and kissed Bobby's cheek before leaving.

Once they'd left, Lindsay sighed tiredly and snuggled into Bobby. "It seems hard to believe it's all over, doesn't it?"

Bobby glanced down at her worriedly. "Linds, you know that it's not really *all* over, don't you? There's still the trial..."

"I know," Lindsay said softly. "But can't we pretend it is? Just for tonight."

Bobby nodded. "Okay," he whispered. "What are you going to do now? I mean with the baby."

Lindsay sat up and gave him a strange look. "What do you mean what am I going to do? I'm going to get ready and I'm going to have my baby, just like I planned."

"I didn't mean anything by it," Bobby assured her. "I was just wondering. So you're going to be a single mom?"

Lindsay nodded. "Don't you think I can do it?"

"I know you can," Bobby assured her. "You'll be a great mom."

Lindsay laid down again. "I hope we get an early court date. I don't want Chris to even know I'm pregnant."

"You're three months though. Unless we go in a couple weeks, you'll be showing," Bobby pointed out.

"I know. But maybe..."

"Maybe," Bobby answered. "Let's not worry about it tonight. You need to rest."

"So do you," Lindsay pointed out. She sat up and carefully leaned over Bobby to brush a gentle kiss over his shoulder. "Good night. Thanks for staying with me."

"I wouldn't leave you," Bobby promised. "Night." When he felt Lindsay's breathing even out and he knew she was asleep, he added softly, "I love you."