1Deakins bolted from his office the very second he got the call. He was reeling from the news of having lost Eames; pissed off that they still had no leads on who the trigger man was and that the nut job was still out on the streets. Now this: Goren. Grieving would have to wait.
He arrived at the hospital, mechanically making his way to the 4th floor I.C.U. It was his tenth trip there, in as many days. As the elevator doors opened, he immediately sensed the tension and excited "buzzing" of the staff. His pace quickened -almost to a full jog- as he approached the nurses' station.
"Where's my detective?" The nurse, interrupted from her paperwork, looked up at him. "Are you Capt. Deakins?"
"Yeah, I'm Deakins, where's Detective Goren?" he demanded more than asked; eyes darting around the busy hallways looking for Bobby.
The nurse rose from her desk and leaned towards Deakins, lowering her voice. "Your...detective is on the 8th floor. Dr. Rizzo is waiting for you in his office – it's the 3rd door on the left when you exit the elevator." The nurse raised her eyebrows, eyes shifting around, surveying the damage in the corridor.
Deakins had been oblivious to it when he arrived; he was intent only on finding Bobby.
Then it registered. He saw the toppled carts and chairs; he saw the maintenance crew cleaning up the shattered glass; he still heard the buzzing of the gossipers.
Deakins looked back at the nurse, his face full of concern, apology, worry...fear. "The 8th floor? That's the psychiatric unit?
The nurse nodded, "Yes." Her face, now softened with empathy for the distraught figure before her. "Your detective had to be sedated – he's under suicide watch. Dr. Rizzo will explain everything." She gave Deakins a slight smile, hoping to alleviate his worry, if only minutely.
Deakins nodded a silent "Thank you" and headed back to the elevator.
As the doors opened, Carver began to take a step out but, upon seeing Deakins, stopped.
Carver reached out and placed a hand on Deakins' shoulder. "Captain, I am so sorry..."
Deakins nodded, "I know...thanks...but we've got another problem," Deakins said as he pushed the "8" button. Carver looked at him, puzzled both as to what the other problem was and why they were now headed to the 8th floor and not back to the lobby.
Deakins faced forward, staring at the elevator doors. "It's Goren."
Carver didn't have to be told what unit was on the 8th floor. "This can't be good," he sighed.
End. Chpt. 2