Epilogue

Bruce sat up in bed prodding at the food on the plate in front of him. Two weeks had past since the 'incident' with Jacob Levy. Bruce still woke in a cold sweat in the middle of the night every so often, convinced Jacob was hovering over his bed, bar in his hand. But mostly he was okay, bored, but okay.

Bobby had visited everyday. Bruce knew that Bobby blamed himself for what happened. He could see it in his eyes. That is of course when his brother actually made eye contact, which seemed to happen less and less recently. Speak of the devil.

"Hey little brother."

Bobby entered the room, closely followed by Ponch. Both officers were in uniform.

Bruce smiled.

"You guys got nothing better to do than hang out in hospitals?"

"Bobby's got nothing better to do," Ponch eyed the plate in front of Bruce. "Me, I came for the free food, you gonna eat that buddy."

Bruce pushed the plate to Ponch.

"Knock yourself out."

A nurse entered the room carrying a small tub of pills.

"Time for your meds," She said, passing the tub to Bruce.

Bruce noticed Ponch eyeing the nurse, an attractive blonde not much older than himself. The nurse turned to him.

"Enjoying your meal Officer?"

"Oh yeah," Ponch tried not to stare. "Just like Mom makes."

The nurse took the empty tub from Bruce and left the room, smiling at Ponch.

Ponch watched her go, raising an eyebrow.

"Enjoying the view Ponch?" Bruce goaded.

Ponch pushed the plate back to Bruce.

"I think I might go find out what's for dessert." Ponch said standing up. "See you later Bruce."

He turned and hurried to catch up to the nurse.

"That guy's unbelievable." Bruce smiled.

Bobby half smiled. Silence followed.

"Thing's alright?" Bobby asked.

Bruce thought about the question. "Things. The nightmares? The flashbacks? The broken ribs?" Bruce just nodded.

Bobby glanced away from his brother. At the room, out of the window, at the floor, anywhere but at Bruce. Most of the bruises had gone, but the hurt was still there.

Bruce attempted to pull himself up straighter in the bed. He jarred his ribs in the process and let out a gasp.

Bobby was at his side in an instant, easing his brother back.

"Do you need some help?"

"No."

"Maybe I should call a nurse."

Bruce snatched away his arm.

"No Bobby," He shouted. "I'm fine."

The outburst caused Bruce more pain and he bit his bottom lip until it subsided. He noticed his brother was wincing along with him.

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" Bobby countered.

"Look like you're in more pain than I am."

Bobby stomach fluttered. The kid had hit it right on the nose. He looked away, not such what response to give.

"Why are you afraid to look at me?" Bruce continued. He'd get some answers out of his brother if it was the last thing he did. "Bobby, look at me!"

Bobby faced his brother.

"What Jacob Levy did to you." He took a moment as his voice cracked. "What he did, was meant for me. I'm the one he blamed for the death of his brother."

"So you think it should be you in this hospital bed?" Bruce was annoyed. "Well that makes me feel a whole lot better."

"It's my fault!" Bobby shouted back at Bruce.

"Your fault" Bruce realised his kidnap had had serious side affects. "Bobby, it wasn't you who kidnapped me, it wasn't you who put me in here. The guy who did is a nutcase, he killed his brother but was too far gone to realise it."

Bobby wasn't about to give up his guilt that easily.

"If it wasn't for me you'd have never joined the CHP, you wouldn't have even been out there."

Bruce was puzzled.

"How'd you figure that?"

"You emulate me, you joined up to be like me."

Bruce laughed. He winced as he jarred his ribs again.

"Don't flatter yourself big brother."

He laughed again. Now Bobby was confused.

"Huh?"

Bruce tried to stop himself from laughing.

"Fast motorcycles and ladies in uniform." He laughed again. "I mean, what a career."

Bobby smiled and then laughed, ruffling his brother's hair.

The door to Bruce's room flew open.

"Nelson!" Sgt. Getraer roared.

"Yes Sarge?" Bobby and Bruce answered simultaneously.

"Bobby." The sergeant corrected. "I appreciate that Bruce means a lot to you, but do you think you could keep the visits till after your shift."

"Sure thing Sarge." Bobby answered, looking serious.

Ponch backed into the room.

"....I'll call you tomorrow." He spoke to the blonde nurse and held a piece of paper in his hand.

He backed right into Sgt. Getraer.

"Poncherello!"

Ponch's smile faded as he turned to face his superior.

"Sarge?"

Sgt. Getraer snatched the piece of paper from his hand.

"This better contain vital information,"

"Life & death." Ponch tried his best to win over the sergeant.

The sergeant's features remained serious as he read the name and phone number.

"My office, end of shift."

He pocketed the piece of paper, much to Ponch's distress, and left.

Ponch strained to remember the phone number.

"555-2564, 555-6524, 555-4625..."

Bruce grinned.

"It's 555-5264." He stated.

Ponch and Bobby shared a confused look.

"How did you know?" Ponch asked.

Bruce lifted his right arm.

"Tracey wrote it on my cast a week ago."

Bobby smile and Ponch raised an eyebrow.

"I'm gonna want a copy of that."

THE END

Author's note: please forgive the smarm.