Thanks for your reviews. :) Here's the next Chapter. Enjoy!

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Chapter 6

Next day at the hospital

John woke up and opened his eyes slowly. The noise of several machines on his left side told him that he wasn't in his own bed in his apartment. 'But why? What happened?' Suddenly he felt something warm. He turned his head to the other side and saw that someone was holding his hand. And it felt good, very good. With a smile he closed his eyes again and tightened the grip. Then he opened his eyes again and looked up. In surprise he saw Sam, sitting beside him in a not very comfortable position, sleeping.

He looked around a saw a glass of water on the nightstand. Softly, he slipped his hand out of Sam's and reached over to take the glass when pain was running through his body. The glass fell down on the floor and Sam woke up with a start. "John?"

John put his head back on the bed, his hand on his wound, "Great".

"Nice possibility to tell me you're awake" she smiled and looked on the floor with the pieces of the broken glass.

"I'm so sorry… I … I didn't mean to wake you up", John said.

"I know, but it's about time…" she looked at her watch and held her neck.

"Sam… what happened…I mean…" he tried to sit up.

"No no no, lay back…" she looked at him, "you've been shot and you need to rest."

John closed his eyes and tried to remember what happened.

"Do you remember anything?" Sam asked.

After a short silence, John began to speak. "We were in Bailey's cottage… and I… I went outside to get some wood for… for the fireplace. Then I heard something and turned around. I took my gun and… and ran into the forest… where the noise came from, but I… I didn't see anyone…"John began to breathe heavily, "I… I walked back to the house as…", John gasped for air.

"John… calm down… please!" Sam told him and laid her hand on his forehead, "come on, take deep breaths."

As he didn't calm down she pressed the emergency button and a few seconds later a doctor and two nurses hurried into the room. "What happened?" the doctor asked, while he checked the machines.

"I… I don't know… he tried to tell me something and…" Sam began.

"Please, wait outside…" he pointed to the door.

"I didn't mean to…" she looked at John and left the room.

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Two hours later...

Sam woke up and noticed that she has been fallen asleep on the leather couch in the waiting room. She sat up as she heard a familiar voice talking to a doctor. It was Bailey asking about John's condition.

"Bailey…" Sam said, and he turned around, "I thought you're still in New Jersey ."

"Sam…" he gave her a tight hug, "...after Grace told me what happened, I couldn't wait and took the next machine in the middle of the night."

"Bailey, I'm glad you're here. Did the doctor tell you something?" Sam asked, looking at him.

"He's okay now. They gave him a sedative. Sam, I'm really sorry what happened." Bailey said, looking at his hands.

"I know, we all are…" Sam sighed.

"No, I mean… it was my fault. I suggested him to go to my cottage and now look what happened. I should have known it better, Sam… after all my years at the FBI." he looked into her eyes.

"We're all feeling guilty… but that doesn't make it undone. John is strong and with our help he'll be back on his feet soon." Sam said.

"Yeah…" he tried to smile, "what about coffee and something to eat?" he suggested.

"Sounds great… there's a cafeteria downstairs." Sam answered and both walked to the elevator.

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The waiter brought two cups of coffee and a sandwich for Sam. Bailey took a sip from his coffee and started to talk, "Sam, I know you have other things in your mind right now… but we have to talk about this. There's still someone after you… or John… or maybe after all of us. God knows!" he held the cup in his hands and looked at her.

"I know…" she looked at her sandwich, "what I'm going to do now? I don't want to go back to my house… Angel is not here and…" she looked at Bailey, "…I don't want Chloe to be in danger."

"And I don't want to see you in danger, too. Look… do you remember the old firehouse I told you a few months ago?" he asked and put the cup down.

"Yeah, of course… but I think…" Bailey cut her off.

"… that's a great idea. I can guarantee you the best security there. Cameras, alarm systems, bulletproof glass, safety lock with an entry code… and all is ready and waiting for you to move in. I can arrange everything, Sam… you don't have to go back to your house. I'll send a team to get all your stuff for you." Bailey explained.

Sam sighed, "Actually it sounds great… except for the camera part… but you're right. It's probably the best." she looked at him.

"I know, it's not the house you've dreamt of… but it's safe there, and that's the most important thing now. So, do you agree if I arrange your relocation?" he took out his cell phone.

"Uhm… do I have a choice?" she looked at him, "no, it's okay… I guess" she took the sandwich and bit off.

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After they finished their coffee, Sam and Bailey walked back to John's room. A nurse came out and told them that he was awake and that they could see him now.

John heard the door open and turned his head to the other side to see who's coming in, "Bailey".

"Hey John…" Bailey sat down on the chair beside John, "how are you doing?"

"Oh, I've never felt better in my life… isn't that obvious?" John said.

"John, I'm sorry… I didn't want that...." Bailey told him.

"I know that Bailey… it's my fault. I should have gone back to the house instead of running after him. But hey… I never was the smartest FBI agent, was I?" he sighed and looked outside the window.

Bailey looked at Sam with a concerned look and then turned back to John, "What are you talking about? You know you're one of the best men I've ever had in my team, John."

"Oh really? And how does it come, that I'm the one who's been kidnapped, captured and shot all the time? Ah, damn it!" John said, without looking at Bailey or Sam.

"That's not true John. That's the risk of our job…" Bailey began, but Sam cut him off and continued, "John, that doesn't mean you're not a good agent. It's more about how much you're risking your life for your job… to save people."

"Oh yeah, great!" John muttered, "But if you don't mind, I would like to change the topic." he said and looked at Bailey.

"I'm all in favor…" he smiled.

"I'd like to go home…" John said in a whisper.

"Soon… the doctor said maybe in a week. You should take a proper break until you're really fit again." Bailey told him.

"I would heal much better if I could be at home …" John pleaded.

"Okay, I'm going to ask the doctor… "Bailey smiled and left the room.

A few minutes later he came back. "The doctor is not amused about your stubbornness, but you can leave the hospital tomorrow… on your own risk. He wants to keep you here one more night. Is that okay?" Bailey asked.

"It's okay… thanks" John looked at him and turned his head to the window.

"John, I'm really sorry but I have to go now. George called me a few minutes ago. I come back later if you like." he suggested.

"Yeah… okay!" John said.

"Okay… then, see you later!" Bailey said and left the room.

After a minute of silence, Sam began "John… after what happened when you woke up in the morning… I… I didn't mean to upset you… I'm sorry!" she apologized.

He sighed and turned his head on the other side, so that he could see her straight into her eyes. "You know what? I'm so sick that everyone tells me he's sorry… I can't hear it anymore, okay? So, do me a favor and save your breath!" he said.

"But I…" she saw that he turned on the other side again, "is there anything I can get you? Do you want something?" she asked, a little upset.

"No thanks…" he answered without looking at her.

"Fine… then… I think I'll better go" she said walking towards the door.

"Sam, wait… please!" John said.

She turned around, "What?"

"I… uhm I'm sorry and… I don't want you to go. Stay with me… please…" he told her, pleading.

She looked into his blue eyes and smiled, "Okay… are you sure there is nothing I can do for you?"

"No… I just want… uhm… would you like to watch TV with me? Or… I mean… if you'd like to go… I'd understand." he looked at her.

"No, of course not…" she walked to his bed and sat down on the chair beside him.

"If I was too rude… I'm sorry" he began, "I didn't mean to shout at you."

"I thought we agreed 'no sorrys'…" she smiled, "…but hey, it's okay… it's a difficult situation… for all of us," she tried to smile, but looked down onto her hands.

"I know…" he started, "…did Bailey say something about the suspect?

"Not really… he wasn't at the headquarters since he's back in Atlanta ." Sam told him.

"Oh, okay…" he looked around and found the remote control on his nightstand. He sat up and leant over to grab it.

"Hey, wait. Why didn't you say something." she got up and gave him what he wanted, "here!"

"Thanks… any preferences? Talk shows, sports, news or … maybe Columbo" he grinned.

Sam laughed, "Back to your old self again, aren't you? Hmm, it's up to you. I watch whatever you like." she sat down on the chair again and looked up on the TV, which John just turned on.

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In the evening, after two movies and some news, a nurse came into the room with a bed and placed it beside John's.

"Oh look, seems you're getting company." Sam said.

After the nurse put the bed on the right place, she walked to John and Sam "Mr. Malone ordered a bed for you, Mrs. Waters. Your new home isn't ready until tomorrow afternoon… so you can stay here with Mr. Grant." she smiled and turned his attention to John.

"Mr. Grant, what do you like for meal?" she asked with a smile.

"Nothing, I'm not hungry." John replied and looked back on the tv.

"But you should eat something…" she said, concerning, "or you can't go home tomorrow."

He glared at her, "Oh, is that a threat?

"Maybe… look, you can't go home if you act like this. Then it's better you stay here for one more week until you're strong enough." she explained, with her hands on here hips.

"Okay okay," he sighed.

"I'll be right back…" the nurse told them and left the room.

"What did she mean with your 'new home'?" John asked Sam.

"Oh yeah, I haven't told you… do you remember the old firehouse? I've decided to move in there. Well, I think it's the safest place at the moment and Bailey guaranteed me full protection there." Sam said with a sigh.

"Wise decision, Sam. You're not safe anymore in your house and you're alone at the moment. And besides… the firehouse is not far away from my apartment. If there's a problem… I can be there in a minute." he said.

"Yeah, that's true… but is that a good thing?" she grinned, teasing.

"Hey!" John answered.

"Of course it's a good thing, John" she told him with a smile and took his hand in hers.

Right at that moment the nurse came back with a tablet, "So… this one is for you…" she put it on John's nightstand, "and Mrs. Waters… this one's for you. I thought you're hungry, too." she said, smiling.

"Oh thank you… but you really shouldn't have…" Sam replied.

"That's okay, you're welcome" she leaned over to her and whispered, "Maybe you could take care that he's going to eat his meal."

"Yeah, we'll see about that" she glanced at John smiling before the nurse left the room.

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To be continued..... Please R&R!