Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to Lifetime Television.

Chapter 3: A FRIEND'S SUPPORT

Lu sighed as she walked into her apartment shortly after 7pm that evening. It had been a very busy day, and she had not even taken time to eat. Keeping herself busy gave her less time to think about the situation at hand.

But now, thoughts of Jonas filled her thoughts. She had not received any further news regarding his whereabouts, and she knew that the more time that passed without finding him, the chances of finding him alive would be slim.

She sat down on the couch, staring into the darkness. "Oh Jonas." She whispered. "Where are you?"

At that moment, Lu felt very alone. If only Marc were here, she thought, referring to her son. He was away at college in Arizona. Or Andy, referring to her former partner at the clinic who had recently been appointed the new Surgeon General of the United States.

Lu picked up the phone and dialed Andy's number in Washington DC. On the third ring, Lu heard a young girl's voice.

"Hello, Campbell residence."

"Lizzie? This is Lu. Is your mom there?" Lu asked, her voice trembling.

"Hi Lu. Sure, she's here. Hold on a sec." Lu waited while the 10 year old went to get her mother. Seconds later she heard the familiar voice of Dr. Andy Campbell.

"Delgado?"

"Yeah, it's me, Andy." Lu answered.

"Lizzie said you sounded like something is wrong. And she's right. What's wrong?"

"Ummm...I...I..." Lu stammered, wondering if she had done the right thing by making this phone call.

"Lu, what is going on? Is Marc okay?" Andy questioned, concerned that maybe something had happened to her son.

"Marc...Marc is fine. It's...it's Jonas." Lu managed, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"Jonas?" Andy asked.

"He...he's missing." Lu said quietly.

"What?" Andy asked, not sure she had heard her correctly. "What do you mean, he's missing?"

"He had to fly to Rio yesterday. He...he never made it. His plane went down. The cops came and told me at 4am this morning. They came to the clinic this afternoon and said that the plane was found and the pilot was dead. But...but there was no sign of Jonas." Lu finished. Suddenly, unable to control herself, Lu burst into tears.

"Delgado, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Andy asked, realizing how very difficult this must be for her friend.

"No...I...I just needed to talk. I'm scared, Andy. First Mickey, and now Jonas." Lu answered. Mickey had been her boyfriend, and she had loved him greatly. He had been murdered by one of her patients, a patient that had clearly meant that bullet for Lu. But Mickey had seen the danger, and had put himself between Lu and the bullet. He had died saving her life.

"He asked me to marry him, Andy." Lu told her. "Sunday. He wanted me to give him my answer when he got back from Rio on Thursday. And now..." Lu's voice trailed off.

"Lu, listen to me for a minute. Don't give up hope. He could still be found. You've got to believe that. If he were dead, chances are they would have found him already, right? I mean, he would still be with the plane. It could be possible that he was able to walk away. Delgado, they will find him. I have a good feeling." Lu couldn't help but smile at her friend's words, as they had been the same words she herself had told Andy when her oldest daughter Jessie had to have back surgery a year earlier.

"I hope you're right, Andy. It's just...it's just that I'm so afraid I've lost him...like I lost Mickey. I can't go through that again. It hurt so bad. I can't.." Lu paused as the tears threatened to take over again.

"Lu, if you'd like, I can be in Philly in the morning. You shouldn't be alone right now. I want you to know that I am always here to support you. You know that, don't you, Lu?" Andy questioned with a gentle voice.

"Thanks, Andy. It helps to know that you are here when I need to talk."

"I'm serious, Lu. I can be there in the morning. The girls can stay with my folks."

"Thanks, Andy. But no, it's okay. Tomorrow's Wednesday. I'll be at the clinic all night."

"Lu, maybe you should consider cancelling all night clinic tomorrow. I mean, you don't need any more stress right now." Andy suggested.

"I can't cancel, Andy. You know that." Andy sighed. Yes, she did know that. Lu always put her patients first. And she knew this would be no exception.

"Lu, call if you need anything, okay? And keep me posted?"

"Sure, Andy. Thanks for talking to me. I...I'd better go in case anyone tries to call with news."

"Call anytime, Lu. Day or night. I'll always be here for you." Without another word, Lu slowly hung up the phone. She was glad that she had called Andy. It had helped in some small way.

Sitting there in the quiet apartment, Lu could no longer control the tears that were once again streaming down her cheeks, and she began to sob, heart wrenching sobs.

Suddenly feeling totally exhausted, Lu curled up on the couch and cried herself to sleep.