Chapter 3

Rick couldn't get the word "paralyzed" out of his head, as he saw his son's still form on the hospital bed. Watching his wife holding Robbie's hand, he felt like he was in a daze. It wasn't right; he shouldn't have been exposed to that kind of danger in such a simple assignment. Why did they encourage him to go into law enforcement, he could have been an architect or builder, or even a lawyer.

Just then he heard Laurie call him, "Rick, come here, he's waking up!" Making himself take the few steps to Robbie's side; he saw his son's eyes blink, then come aware. "Pop." That was all he said, but Rick immediately felt better.

"I'm here, Robbie, we're both here, son.", he tried to smile down at his boy.

Robbie slowly turned his head, then gazing at his mother, smiled, "Hey, Mom." "Hey, yourself, Robbie, how do you feel?" she said, trying keep calm.

"I'm sore, what's wrong with my arm," he glanced at the bandage on his upper left arm. "You were hurt, do you remember?" Rick asked, signaling Laurie to get Rudy.

"Uh, I'm not sure. The last thing I remember is Captain Turner asking me to go through some paintings that were recovered from a robbery. I was looking at them, then, uh... "his son stopped. "Robbie, it's all right, you can think about it later. Captain Ron told us the crook that beat you up was shot before he could finish you off. We just want to make sure you get better. You have a bruised arm, and a bad bruise on your spinal cord. Rudy's going to come in and run some tests, then we'll know better about your injuries."

"Ok, I wish I could remember something, though, something about the museum or the paintings." Robbie sighed. "It's ok, son, it'll come to you, meantime do you want some water or something?" Rick asked.

"I could use some water, and could you please tell Robin I'm sorry to have spoiled her party?" her son replied. "Robbie, you're being all right is going to mean more than any celebration to your sister." his father said, "You didn't ask to be hurt, I'm sure we can reschedule her party for when you get well!"

Rudy came in, and asked Laurie and Rick to stay as he took Robbie's blood pressure, then checked his reflexes. "Robbie, let me know when you feel anything below your waist."

Rick stared at the probe the doctor was using, hoping his son would start to feel something. "I 'm cold from my feet to my thighs, Uncle Rudy, but it's weird, I can feel them, but I can't move them." Robbie said. The doctor looked him in the eye, "I need you to stay calm, son, you were hit in the back just above your kidneys. Fortunately you have no major injuries, but you will probably have to stay in the hospital for several days. The swelling of your spinal cord is causing your legs to be temporarily paralyzed. This should go away within the next 24 hours." "Uh, did you say my legs were paralyzed?" Robbie stared back at him. "Yes, Robbie, but like I told your parents, it's probably only temporary. The spinal cord is a delicate thing; one bruise can upset your whole system. If you don't get movement back in the next day or so, we'll try something different, but I have you on an anti-inflammatory now, it should work."

Rick glanced at his son, who lay quietly for a few moments, absorbing the doctor's words.

Suddenly a rueful look crossed his face, "I guess this is my initiation into the Simon way of life, never do anything halfway. Uncle Rudy, Grandma's going to say, "I told you so", if she doesn't swat me first!" Laurie gave a half laugh, half cry, then crossed the room and put her arms around Robbie. "You're going to be all right, darling, I'm so proud of you."

"And you," she sniffled and hugged Rudy, "Thank you for taking care of him like you've always taken care of us!" Rick suddenly felt like he was going to break down, so he patted the doctor on the shoulder and going to his son's side, told him, "I'll be back, you mind Rudy now, hear!"

"Yes, Pop, I'll see you later." Robbie smiled, as Laurie settled back into her chair, giving her husband a questioning look. He nodded at her, then hightailed it out the door.

For the next several hours, he kept busy, talking to his mother and brother, reassuring Ramona, Robbie's fiancée, anything to stop from looking at the clock or from thinking about his son's motionless legs.

He noticed Oscar watching him, as if something were on his mind, but he didn't approach him, to Rick's relief. He was having a hard enough time dealing with his fears about Robbie, without having to discuss them with his friend.

When Captain Ron finally came back to the hospital, he had unsettling news for Rick. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner, but I just finished with Captain Turner, and it's bad all the way around. How's Robbie?"

"He's asleep right now, but he was awake earlier. He doesn't remember anything from the time he knelt down to go through the art works, to when he woke up to us in his hospital room. He's got a badly bruised arm, and his spinal cord took a direct hit from that animal's bat. He can feel his legs, but he's unable to move from the waist down." Rick replied, his stomach churning. "Rudy says it's temporary, but it's making me so angry, it shouldn't have happened. What did you find out?"

"I'm sorry, Rick, Captain Turner's resigned. He says he didn't check the handcuffs on Solomon, so when he went to the exit to signal for Robbie's partner, that's when he picked up the bat and hit him. By the time he heard Andrew Bear call out, Robbie was all ready on the floor, and when Solomon turned, he opened fire. Solomon died a few hours ago in the jail ward, there'll be a full investigation of course." the Captain added.

"Of all the, you bet there'll be an investigation!" Rick raged. "My son's laying there, we don't know if he'll walk again, and his commanding officer leaves him with a dangerous suspect!" "Rick, I don't know what to say, except please, calm down. Laurie's going to need you to help her deal with this, is she with Robbie?" he asked.

"I guess so, oh, geez, I didn't even think to see how she was, I've been so blindsided by all this." Rick gulped. Captain Ron put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand, believe me, I've seen how hard your family takes anyone of you being hurt. But your son is going to need both of you being supportive while he recovers. I'll take care of the follow-up with Turner; he feels responsible for his failure to back up Robbie. I just hope your son remembers what all happened, otherwise the Captain could be facing more serious charges for his shooting of Solomon."

Just then Oscar Goldman approached the two men. "Rick, your mom's with Robbie right now, he's asking for Laurie, have you seen her?"

"No, Oscar, I, I thought she was with our son. Maybe she's with Rudy?" he offered, a sick feeling in his stomach. "No, in fact Rudy wanted to send her home, he says she's all in and hasn't had anything to eat since yesterday." her uncle said.

Frightened, Rick replied, "Let me see if she's in the waiting area or the family room, she might have gone to get some tea at the cafeteria. Can you two check with the nurses, maybe they saw her."

Splitting up, the three men searched all the common areas, then Rick had a sudden feeling, and went to the chapel. Entering the half-lit room, he peered in, then was about to exit when he heard a sniffling noise. His heart did a flip, as he saw a curled up figure on a bench, next to the door.

Quietly sliding down the pew, he saw Laurie with her head bowed, and he whispered, "Sweetheart, I'm here." She raised her head, dazed, then seeing him, held out her arms.

He reached over and pulled her into an embrace, comforting and cuddling her as she wept. "Rick, I'm sorry, I tried to be strong for you, but I, I'm afraid for our Robbie."

"Oh, my Laurie, don't cry, dearest. Forgive me, you have been my rock these long hours, you knew I needed to keep busy and not face what could happen to our son. Angel, bless you for being there." he soothed her, caressing her face. Feeling the shuddering sobs stop, he pulled out his none-too dry handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "Darlin', you know you scared us, we were looking for you everywhere. Let me take you to see your son, then you're going to get some rest."

"Yes, Rick," Laurie sniffed, then let him put his arms around her and lift her off the bench. As he walked her down the hall, she leaned against him.

"I love you, darling, it feels better when you hold me like this." she tried to smile as they stopped outside Robbie's door. His heart melted as he kissed her then told her, "I love you, too, my angel, now you go say good morning to your son and then I'll find you some place to rest."

Just then both Oscar and Captain Ron came around the corner, their worried faces brightening as they spotted Laurie. Each of them hugged her then exclaimed, "where were you?" She managed a watery smile, "I'm sorry, I just went into the chapel for a moment, then I lost track of time until Rick found me."

Cecelia came out of Robbie's' room, having heard the voices. "Laurie, honey, Robbie's been looking for you, Rudy wants him to rest so you come say good morning and then get some sleep!" she ordered.

"Yes, Mom", Laurie grinned, then took Rick's hand and pulled him into the hospital room with her. She saw her son sitting up, and as he caught sight of her he raised his good arm, "Morning, Mom, Pop." Laurie went to Robbie and hugged him, then gasped as she saw him move his leg so she could perch on his bed. "Robbie, you moved your leg! Just now!"

He looked down, then laughed, "What do you know, Uncle Rudy was right!"

Rick didn't know whether to laugh or cry with happiness, so he compromised by coming over and and embracing Robbie, saying, "You're going to be all right, son, you're going to be running in no time." Suddenly Robbie put his head on his father's shoulder and let go, crying for one of the few times Rick could remember. "It's ok, my boy, you're ok", he held him, as Laurie rubbed his bad shoulder.

After a minute their son raised his head, then told his parents, "I love you so much, I'll be fine, guys, now why don't you get Uncle Rudy. I want him to see what I can do!"

After letting their weary family know the good news, Rick found Rudy and Oscar, who immediately rushed to Robbie's room. A.J. insisted that his brother take Laurie to his house to rest, so the two went and spent the day with Linda and Ricky.

Coming back to the hospital in the afternoon, Laurie had Rick drop her at the entrance so she could stop and see Dr. Clarke about Robbie's insurance. Not finding him in his office, she headed straight for her son's room. Abruptly, she got a funny feeling, then had a flash of someone with a knife, coming toward Robbie. Rushing toward his door. she stopped when she heard voices coming from the hospital room. Quickly turning on her watch, she set it to receive then realized one of the voices was that of Andrew Bear.

"Sorry, Rob, but I can't let you go to the police with what you saw, I promise to make it quick."