Disclaimer- Ain't mine, never were, never will be. (That's why I'm so depressed according to my therapist).

A/N- Don't forget to read and review, folks.

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Sarah had been in surgery almost an hour, when Nigel, Bug and Lily came in the waiting room.

"Any word?" Nigel asked as he hugged Jordan.

"She's in surgery. She has a skull fracture, internal bleeding and broken bones. We haven't heard anything since they took her back." Garret told all of them.

"Buck up, mate. Our Sarah's a fighter." Nigel said, squeezing Garret's shoulder.

"Yes, she'll make it, if anyone can beat this, it's Sarah." Bug agreed.

Lily hugged Garret. "Have you eaten Garret? I know you didn't stop for lunch."

"I'll get something later, Lily. I don't think I could eat right now." He kissed her cheek. "Thanks."

"Nigel, I want you to track down Sarah's friend, Wren. She works at the FACES lab in Baton Rogue." Garret said. "Tell her what's happened and ask her to come up. Sarah will want her here."

"No problem, mate. I'll go pick her up too." Nigel headed out.

"Any idea how long before we know something?" Lily asked sitting beside Garret.

"Probably not for a couple of hours." Garret told her. No one had much to say after that. Each sat wrapped in their own thoughts. Nigel was back within fifteen minutes, smiling to himself.

" I found her and she'll be boarding within the hour." Nigel sat beside Jordan. "You know that girl has quite the vocabulary. When I finished telling her what had happened, she had a few choice words about Matthews. I've never heard anything quite like it and I was in the Royal Navy!"

"Daddy?" Garret looked up, Abby was standing in the doorway.

"Abby! What are you doing here?" He asked as she walked over.

I heard about Dr. Matthews on the news." She sat down next to her father and hugged him.

"I didn't know you'd met Sarah." Garret said, surprised.

"I haven't but you've mentioned her and her picture is on your nightstand. I figured that shows she's important." Abby explained. "The story's all over the news, so I called the morgue and they told me where she was. Is she okay?"

"We haven't heard yet, Abby." Garret held her tightly. When she wasn't trying to show just how independent she was by screwing up her life, his daughter was an amazingly caring young woman.

"You look awful, Dad. Why don't we go get some coffee or something?" She suggested, getting a surreptitious thumbs up from Lily.

"Maybe you're right, honey. Let's go get some food." As Garret stood up, a nurse came in.

"Dr. Macy?" She looked around questioningly.

"Yes." Garret said tensely.

"Dr. Graham asked that I update you. They've completed the abdominal repairs and reinflated Dr Matthews' lung. As soon as the chest tube is in place the neuro team will take over. Dr. Graham will be out to talk to you about an hour after the neuro surgery begins. Her vitals have stabilized somewhat and a spleenectomy was necessary." The woman left, passing Woody at the door.

"Was that an update?" He asked as he hugged Jordan.

"Yeah." Jordan said. "She's doing better, but they're going to be awhile. What about the asshole?"

"Well considering that the arresting officers witnessed the assault and heard the perp threatening to kill her. I don't think the DA will have any problem making attempted murder with premeditation stick." Woody grinned.

"How are they going to sell premeditation, the spousal abuse was in Tennessee. There no way they can get it admitted here, can they?" Garret asked.

"No, but a canvas of the neighborhood has already turned up six upstanding citizens who put Harrison in the vicinity of Sarah's apartment over the past week and a half. So Walcott is going for premeditation, which will tack on another ten years if the jury convicts." Woody said with a very satisfied grin. He and Sarah had become good friends over drinks at the Pogue one night when Garret and Jordan had been working late. If he'd been first on the scene there probably wouldn't have needed to be a trial.

"Rene's handling this personally!" Garret was surprised; an ADA usually took assault cases.

"Yes, I am." Garret and Woody turned toward the door. Rene stood as if uncertain whether or not she should come in. Garret motioned her in. "The man viciously attacked and attempted to kill a state employee, not to mention someone who matters very much to a friend of mine." Rene kissed Garret's cheek. "We are still friends aren't we? How are you?"

"Better, they just told us Sarah's vitals are stable. And of course we're still friends." Garret put an arm around Rene.

"I just came by to tell you that I'm not making any deals with this slime and to ask if you to call if you need anything. It looks like you've got plenty of support here so I'm going to go prepare for Matthews' arraignment on Monday." Walcott started to leave, but Garret took her arm.

"Thanks, Rene." He kissed her cheek "For everything."

"You're in my prayers, Garret." Rene patted his cheek. Woody looked surprised. "Yes Detective, lawyers pray and for more than good rulings too." Rene chuckled as she left.

"Well on that note, I'm off to Logan." Nigel said. "Ride with me, Bug?"

"Considering that you're on your motorcycle, shouldn't we take my car?" Bug asked heading toward the door.

"Right you are, mate." Nigel agreed, following him out.

Garret sat lost in thought for the next hour. Jordan dozed on Woody's shoulder while he teased Abby. Lily sat beside Garret in case he needed to talk. Everyone was suddenly alert when the trauma surgeon entered the room.

"Dr. Macy, things are looking better than we'd hoped. Sarah's vitals began to improve as soon as we stopped the abdominal bleeding and repaired her lung. So much so that the orthopedist is working on her leg while Dr. Nacre finishes with the neuro procedure. The hematoma was slight by the way and her pupillary response is almost completely normal. There is no sign of brain swelling at this time. I'd say Sarah's chances are now about 90 percent." Dr. Graham smiled.

"Any idea when she'll be out of surgery?" Garret asked shaking the doctor's hand.

"About two to three hours, but she'll most likely be unconscious until sometime tomorrow. She'll have a long recovery, but Sarah's one tough lady, barring complications, she'll be fine." Dr Graham left looking very pleased with himself and his team, while the friends hugged each other and grinned.

Lily pulled away from the group. "I'm going to call Nigel and tell he and Bug the good news. At least when Sarah's friend lands, there'll be something positive to tell her." Lily left, grinning.

Garret turned to Abby. "Don't you have classes tomorrow?" She nodded. "Then you'd better head home. I'll call if things change."

"Goodnight, Dad. I'm happy for you and tell Sarah, I can't wait to meet her." Abby kissed her father and left.

"Speaking of fathers, did anyone call Max?" Woody asked. "He'll want to know what's going on."

"He knows." Max walked in. "Jordan, Woody. Garret has things on his mind but you two are in more trouble than you want to know. I had to hear about Sarah on the news." He scowled at his daughter and future son-in-law. "I hear it was that scum and that you got him?" Woody nodded. "Good, I hope he 'fell' down a lot on the way to the precinct." Max looked at Garret. "How are you and how's Sarah?"

"Things are looking better now Max, and I'm doing a lot better than I was." Garret shook Max's hand. "He did a lot of damage, but it looks like she'll be alright."

"Glad to hear it." He handed Garret a flask. "I thought you could find a use for this."

Garret opened it and took a sip. "That's the twenty year old special Reserve. Thanks Max."

"I'll put it on your tab." Max smiled.

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A/N- I've been really busy on this one today. What can I say my muse woke up and started working. 'Bout time the lazy thing got down to it. Please R&R.