Title: Family Ties

Author: I AM GRUMPY BEAR

Rating: PG 13 (for later Chapters)

Spoilers: None

Disclaimer: Last time for the story, I don't own them.

Summary: Sequel type thing to Problems with the Past. Hazel is back with a new partner to help Gary and Crumb with a problem. (Really bad summary.)

Note: Reviews would be greatly appreciated still.

Family Ties

Chapter Nine: Good-Bye

"The time for most of us to decide comes without warning, and we miss it."

The cab stopped in front of the house and Nikki got out of the car. She payed the cab driver and walked up to the house the chief of police had told her about. She had her gun drawn as she opened the door of the house. Nikki heard voices upstairs and quietly as she could walked up the stairs.

"Freeze!" she shouted once she got to the top. She saw Hazel leaning next to a guy slumped against the wall and Crumb had a cellphone in his hands. Nikki rolled her eyes and said, "What the hell are you two doing here?"

"Great to know your concerned," said Hazel sarcastically.

Nikki put her gun away and walked over to where Hazel was. "Is this Hobson?" she asked although she already knew the answer.

"No," said Hazel even more sarcastic than before. "It's President Clinton. You can at least try and do something useful."

"What?" asked Nikki.

"We don't have any rope," said Hazel looking around, "so why don't you sit on that guy over there."

"Haha," said Nikki.

"I'm serious," said Hazel. "Crumb's called the police, but if he wakes up before they get here he'll at least be restrained."

Nikki looked at the man and saw his bleeding arm. "What happened to his arm?" she asked.

"I stabbed him," said Hazel as she pointed to the pocket knife lying on the floor a few feet away.

"Police will be here as soon as possible," said Crumb as he handed Hazel back her cellphone. "Same with the ambulance."

"Great," said Hazel.

"How is he?" asked Crumb.

"The stab wound in his side is at least three inches deep," replied Hazel. "It looks like he's lost a lot of blood." She looked at Nikki and saw her still standing there. "Are you going to do something useful, Nikki?"

Nikki grumbled and walked over to where Bostwick was lying. She put one foot in the middle of his back so if he did wake up, he couldn't get up. "How the hell did you two get here?" asked Nikki.

"Bostwick," replied Crumb. "Tracked us down." They fell into silence as they waited for the police and paramedics.

???

The paramedics rushed up the stairs followed by the police. The paramedics pushed them aside and started examine Gary while the police arrested the just waking Bostwick. Hazel, Crumb, and Nikki walked down the stairs and saw the chief of police standing there.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Hazel.

"Helping the FBI," replied the chief. "This your guy?"

"Considering he tried to kill me, Crumb, and Gary," said Hazel, "I think so." She stuck out her hand to the chief and he shook it warily. "Thank you," said Hazel. There was no sarcasm in her voice this time.

"You're welcome," said the chief. "There's a woman outside who called us from a restaurant called McGinty's. She said something about you being there and telling her to call the police. She's outside right now."

"Thank you," said Hazel she walked outside and saw Marissa standing. "Hey, Marissa," said Hazel. "You okay?"

"Fine," said Marissa. "How's Gary?"

"I'm not sure," replied Hazel. "They're taking him to the hospital now. Do you need a ride?"

"Yeah," said Marissa. Hazel turned around and saw Crumb talking to a couple of police officers and Nikki walking toward them.

"They said they're taking him to Cook County Hospital," said Nikki.

"Then that's where we're headed," said Hazel. Hazel, Marissa, and Nikki got a cab and took it to the hospital.

???

Nikki, and Hazel sat in the waiting room of the hospital waiting for news on Gary. Marissa had gone to find a payphone to get a hold of his parents. It was obvious that Nikki and Hazel were still pissed at each other. "Still think he had anything to do with it?" asked Hazel angrily.

"No," said Nikki quietly, "but I'm still wondering how he knew."

"Some people know things," said Hazel. "I'm sorry."

"What?" asked Nikki. Hazel never really said those words.

"I'm sorry," repeated Hazel. "You're right. I needed a partner and I needed a friend. It's just sometimes, I like to deal with things on my own."

"I'm sorry too," said Nikki, "but I'm still thinking you know, there's something more."

Hazel looked over at Nikki and asked, "What?"

"You know," said Nikki with a smile. "I'm sure you know."

Hazel glared at Nikki and turned back around. "I don't want to do this anymore."

"What?" asked Nikki obviously. "I'm just teasing you."

"I'm talking about working for the FBI," said Hazel. "You were right about more than one thing. I never really wanted to work for the FBI."

"Then why do you?" asked Nikki.

"I don't know," said Hazel. "I guess it was just there one day. It's like I picked the most obscure option I could and decided that was for me. I don't know. Maybe I just need real time off. A real vacation."

"Where you gonna go?" asked Nikki.

"Smalton, Pennsylvania," replied Hazel quietly. "It's a small town about thirty miles from Philadelphia."

"May I ask why?" asked Nikki.

"It's where I'm from," said Hazel. "Gonna go visit my family. My brothers are throwing a party for my parent's wedding anniversary. I wasn't gonna go before because of work, but I think I really need the time off."

"How long have they been married?" asked Nikki.

"Thirty-six years," answered Hazel.

"And you weren't gonna go?" asked Nikki sounding almost angry.

"You don't understand," said Hazel. "My family is a little odd. I have seven brothers the oldest is thirty-six, the youngest is sixteen. Five of my brothers are married and another is getting married in August. Most of them have kids, I have a dog. Can you tell where there might be a conflict."

Nikki nodded her head. "I hope you don't quit," said Nikki. "I kinda like having you for a partner."

"Maybe you'll get lucky," said Hazel. "You'll get a new partner that'll be just like you."

"Thanks," said Nikki with a smile.

"Impulsive and annoying," Hazel added at the last minute.

"You had to have the last laugh, didn't you?" said Nikki.

"Of course," said Hazel, "but just to make you feel better, I was wrong."

Nikki laughed and they went back to waiting.

???

"What's taking so long?" asked Nikki.

"Obviously you've never had to sit in a waiting room," said Hazel. "The key part is wait."

"What could be taking this long," asked Nikki.

"Who knows," replied Hazel. "It seems like time stands still when you're in a hospital."

"Do you think something is wrong?" asked Nikki.

"He's going to be alright," said Marissa.

"Of course he is," said Hazel. "He's pretty tough."

"So where are the doctors?" asked Nikki.

"Busy," answered Hazel. "Hospitals are busy places." Nikki looked over at Hazel and saw that she was a little pale.

A doctor walked over to them and asked, "You're the ones here for Gary Hobson, right?"

"Yes," replied Marissa.

"How'd he know?" asked Nikki.

"You went up and asked five times," replied Hazel.

Marissa ignored them and asked the doctor, "How is he?"

"It could be worse," said the doctor. "He has a minor concussion and the stab wound took about twenty-one stitches to close and he lost a bit blood. He's going to need to take it easy for awhile, but after a week of rest he should be fine. You can go in and see him, but please one at a time. We have him on a strong painkiller and he's a little out of it. His room is number 409."

"Thanks," said Marissa. Nikki, Hazel, and Marissa stood up and walked towards Gary's room.

Hazel helped Marissa over to Gary's bed and then left the room. "Gary?" she said.

Gary opened his eyes and looked up. "Hey," he said hoarsely.

"How you feeling?" asked Marissa.

"Tired," replied Gary, "but better than before."

"You had us all worried," said Marissa.

"Sorry," replied Gary.

"I'm just glad you're alright," said Marissa. They talked for a few more minutes and then Marissa walked back out in the hall.

Hazel walked into the room and over to the bed. "When I left last time, I thought I told you to stay out of trouble," said Hazel with a laugh.

"You did," said Gary.

"Yeah," said Hazel, "and I brought trouble with me. I'm really sorry about all this. I really didn't mean for all this to happen."

"I know," said Gary. "It wasn't your fault."

"I've got something that belongs to you," said Hazel. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the paper. "I got it special delivery at my hotel." She handed it to Gary and then stuck her hands back in her pockets. "I don't know how you deal with it. I had it for a couple of hours and I was freaking out."

"Thanks," said Gary. "It's hard sometimes. I guess I'm just used to it."

"I don't know how," said Hazel. "I'd also like to say good-bye. I'll probably be gone by tomorrow and I kind of wanted to say good-bye. I've got a few things I need to finish up and then I'll be one my way. This time, I hope you can take it easy."

"Bye," said Gary as he started to fall asleep.

Hazel laughed and shook her head. "Bye," she quietly as she left the room. Hazel saw Nikki and Marissa talking down the hall and walked up to them. "You going in?" she asked Nikki.

"Nah," said Nikki as she shook her head. "I don't really know him and we're unofficial. I think we should be on our way."

"Alright," said Hazel. "Good-bye, Marissa."

"Bye," said Marissa. "Thank you."

"No," said Hazel. "We caused the trouble and I'm sorry for it."

"Think you'll be coming back to Chicago soon?" asked Marissa.

"I don't know," replied Hazel. "I don't what I'm gonna do."

"Good-bye," said Nikki.

"Bye," said Marissa.

Nikki and Hazel walked down the hospital hall. "Are you really gonna quit?" asked Nikki as they got on the elevator.

"I don't know," said Hazel. "Maybe."

"Why?" asked Nikki.

"Cause you're right," said Hazel. "I shouldn't be in the FBI."

"I never said you shouldn't," said Nikki. "I just said you didn't seem like you would be."

"I just don't know yet," said Hazel. "I just don't."

Nikki shook her head and sighed. "I hope you reconsider."

"I don't,"muttered Hazel. The elevator doors opened and they left the hospital.

The End

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There will probably more stories with Hazel because she if by far my favorite character I have ever created. Hope you liked it. Bye.