Chapter 7

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Sam and Jack exited the elevator and headed to the recovery room to see Danny. After Dr. Nagra gave them the news about Martin's condition he said that Martin's visitors should be limited to immediate family until they have him settled in his own room. It was torturous to Sam that she would have to wait even longer to see him but she also knew there was no way in hell she could ask Victor to give her access based on the grounds that she and Martin were once in a relationship but not anymore.

She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't notice that Jack had stopped moving, causing her to bump him from behind.

She mumbled a quick "Sorry," and when she looked up it dawned on her where they were: outside Viv's recovery room. It was also then that she realized that Jack had stopped because Marcus was exiting Viv's room and heading straight for them.

As he neared, the smile on Marcus's face grew. "Hey guys, she's asleep but she woke up for a bit. She already made a crack about when she can get out of her bathrobe and get back to work."

"That's good news," Jack replied.

Marcus' smile faded when he took notice of how disheveled and weary they looked. "What is it?"

Sam was relieved that Jack spoke first, she wasn't sure she could bring herself to tell Marcus what happened.

"I don't know how else to say it but Danny and Martin were involved in a shooting tonight. Danny's going to be okay, we are on our way to his room right now."

"What about Martin?" Sam saw Marcus' eyes focus on her. She knew that Viv had most likely told him all about her and Martin's relationship. That's what couples in love did right? Confide in each other, share secrets. But you never told Martin what you knew did you? The voice in her head thought traitorously. Martin would try and bring up his concerns about Viv to her but she would change the subject or shrug it off, too afraid that she would be tempted to spill what she knew. And as much as she wanted to tell Martin, she would have had to break her promise to Viv. She was damned if she did and damned if she didn't. It seemed that Sam spent so much time between a rock and a hard place she might as well start paying rent.

Jack paused a moment and cleared his throat, Sam feeling his eyes on her as well. "He's in a coma."

"Oh, my God," Marcus replied as he rubbed his hands over his face. "This is just….just awful. I'm so sorry." He paused a moment before continuing, "Viv can't handle this right now. She loves those guys. I think we should wait to tell her until she's better."

Jack and Sam nodded in agreement. She knew Viv would be upset that she was purposely being kept out of the loop but it was in her best interest.

"This is going to be all over the news in the morning so be sure to keep the TV off. And I'll tell the nurses not to say anything but it might be tricky with Danny down the hall." Jack nodded his head towards the nurse's station.

Marcus gave him a thankful smile. "I don't want to leave her in case she wakes up again but tell Danny to get well soon. And let me know as soon as you hear about Martin."

Jack nodded as he and Sam continued down the hall.