A/N:I'M TRYING TO UPDATE A FEW CHAPTERS BEFORE THE WEEKEND. HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY AND I'LL HAVE MORE FOR YOU MONDAY OR TUESDAY. I DON'T OWN THEM BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THEM.

CHAPTER 9: SETBACKS PART 1: BACK TO WORK

Jordan jumped out off of the couch as soon as the sun broke through that morning, "God, I hate Mondays," she said to her empty living room. She hurried and got ready, then flew off to work, but not before calling the hospital to check on Woody.

"He's the same…..stable," Tess assured her before continuing. "He had a rough night I guess. Sue, the night nurse said he was very restless. Maybe he missed you." Jordan smiled at the possibility. "They gave him some more medication around three, and he's still out," Tess continued. "I'll call your cell number when he wakes."Don't worry doctor, we'll take good care of him."

"Thanks," Jordan replied. "I'll call throughout the day, tell Woody I'll see him after work."

As the elevator doors opened, a flood of emotion hit Jordan …hard. This was the first time she had been back since the day of the shooting. She first saw Lilly, who gave her a sorrowful smile, then ran over to hug her. Bug and Nigel came up quickly to comfort both crying women. Then Slokum came over, they noticed, probably to break up the short lived family reunion.

The group parted as he neared. "Welcome back, Dr. Cavanaugh," he greeted flatly. "I expect you to be able to get all of your work done timely and efficiently, but if you should need anything, please ask and I will do my best to consider your needs." He moved to leaved, but turned on his heel to acknowledge her again. "I'm very sorry about your detective friend, I hope he recovers soon." With that, he turned his back on the stunned group, and walked away.

"Maybe he is human?" quipped Bug, before they all went their separate ways.

Jordan's day went surprisingly fast. Slokum gave her two easy cases, one car accident and one heart attack. She loved keeping busy, but felt so guilty for not being at the hospital with Woody. She called every hour to check on him, until the nurse said he would be going for tests that afternoon. Jordan felt panicky.

"What's wrong Jordan?" Bug asked, giving her a concerned look. "Is Woody alright?"

She glanced up at him. "I don't know Bug," she replied.

Just then Slokum came in. "Dr. Cavanaugh, if you can get your reports done, I will let you leave early," he barked the order.

"I'll be done in an hour,"she stated before running off to her office.

Max was standing in the waiting room when Jordan arrived back at the hospital.

"What happened, Dad?" she asked, concerned.

"Nothing sweetheart," Max assured her, taking her hand in his and giving it a squeeze. "He's just down for tests, doctor hasn't come back yet."

A little while later, Jordan turned to see the doctor and nurse walking toward them, she grabbed Max's hand. "Dr. Cavanaugh, glad you're here," the doctor said shaking her hand. "We need to do a procedure on Detective Hoyt to drain some fluid buildup near the spine. Would you sign this release?"

Jordan hesitated.

The doctor noticed her resistance. "Of course, there are some risks, but the bigger risk is doing nothing at all," he added.

Jordan nodded and scribbled her name right below what was the illegible form of Woody's signature. Good, he knows, she thought, relieved she didn't have to make this decision by herself.

An hour or so later Woody was back in his room. Jordan sat holding his hand while talking to her father. Woody stirred and began to wake. "So how did it go?" he asked groggily.

"Good," Jordan replied, smiling as she rubbed his arm. "The doctor seems hopeful."

"How ya feelin kid?", Max asked, patting Woody on the shoulder.

"Same, a little tired," he answered, wincing slightly.

Jordan gave Woody some water to drink. "Rest now," she instructed, and he closed his eyes. "And Woody, no more scares, okay?" she added, rubbing his cheek as he fell asleep.

Little did Jordan or Woody know, this was just the beginning of a long hard road filled with setbacks and heartache.