Ralph opened his eyes and found that he was on the couch at his and Pam's house. He shook his head, trying to figure out how he got there. To his dismay, nothing came to mind. 'Great, what did I do to get into this mess,' he thought. 'Bet I got hurt in one of those scenarios Bill cooks up for the jammies. Pam'll know what happened.'

He sat up, ignoring the dull pain in his right shoulder. "Pam, you here hun? Listen, how long have I been..." he stopped when he heard voices and odd sounds come out of the bedroom, one Pam's the other...

Ralph opened the door a fraction and saw Pam on the bed with another man. She was wearing her blue satin robe and pants while the other was sitting next to her, half undressed. She had her hands on the other man's chest and they were in a rather passionate kiss. Ralph had a sickening feeling this would have gone a lot further if he didn't come to as soon as he did. He decided to slam open the door, shocking the two out of their amorous rapport.

"You stay right there mister," he growled as he pulled Pam from the bedroom into the living room. "What on earth do you think you're doing Pam," he shouted. "Here I am lying in the living room out cold from some scenario and you're in OUR bedroom with another man doing heaven only knows what."

Pam, for some strange reason didn't seem remorseful or scared. "For your information Ralph," she said sarcastically, "I've been having an affair with him for some time. I was going to serve you the divorce papers today..."

"WHAT! Pamela, you've got to be kidding, don't you realize that you are the love of my life," said Ralph, growing more shocked by the minute. "I won't accept divorce papers 'til we talk."

"Really, it seems all you do is go on missions with Bill and never spend any time with me. Derreck has done nothing but take care of me. Would have told you earlier today had you not knocked yourself out flying again. Bill brought you back home and I got tired of just sitting here so..."

"So that gives you the right to have this guy in our bedroom right now?" Ralph growled. "Get away from me traitor. I'm going to put a stop to this right now."

As he turned toward the bedroom, he saw Derreck head to the living room. "Listen pal, that's no way to treat a lady," he said. "You've never been there for her. She's just been the typical 'third-string utility backup,' both in your job and in love. Why don't you go away and let a real man take care of Pam."

"Why you..." Ralph said as he started toward the man. Derreck just smiled and hit Ralph in the jaw, causing him to fall. As Ralph fell, he felt a sharp pain in his ribs and right shoulder as they made contact with the coffee table before he hit the ground. The last thing he saw before darkness enveloped him was Derreck's face smirking at him...

--------------------------------------------

"Ralph, Ralph, come on hun wake up," said Pam's voice from a distance. She had been sitting next to Ralph's side at the hospital since the doctors allowed her into his room.

"Won't accept a divorce...get away from me traitor," said Ralph in confusion as he tried to push her hand away. Pam turned, frowning, to Bill and he shrugged, grimacing at the slight pain in his shoulder. He also had a bandage on his head, having received stitches for the cut. "Don't know Counselor. He never said you were a traitor, of any kind, to me. I don't know about the divorce talk either honey, he loves you too much."

"I know, Bill, I think it's the anesthetic talking," Pam said and looked at Ralph again, who was still mumbling in his sleep. "I saw the remains of your car. Good thing you two were wearing your seatbelts or you would've been killed," she said. "Why wasn't he wearing the jammies?"

"I don't know. We were going out to get a bite to eat and discuss a scenario," said Bill. When Pam gave him an skeptical look, he continued. "Honest Counselor, that's what we were going to do, then this happened. I didn't even know until I shook his shoulder."

Bill stopped when he saw Ralph try to open his eyes. He figured after Ralph's reaction to Pam it was best for him to try to bring the younger man around. "Kid, listen this is Bill. Time to rise and shine and show those blue eyes of yours."

Ralph slowly opened his eyes and looked at both Pam and Bill. He tried to say something, but only managed a groan and a cough when his ribs protested the movement. Bill got him a glass of water and after sipping it, Ralph finally found his voice. "What's going on," said the blonde-haired man simply.

Bill chuckled slightly, seeing Ralph wasn't quite with them yet. "You were in an accident. Listen, doctors said you'll be fine in a couple a weeks..."

Ralph could only manage a pained smile, which faded when he turned to look at Pam. "Why were you with Derreck," he said, frowning. "I thought you loved me."

"Derreck," said Pam, confused. "Ralph, I don't know anyone named Derreck."

"No, I woke up at home from some sort of accident caused by the suit," Ralph said, shaking his head as though to clear it. "I heard noises come out of the bedroom and saw the two of you together. It wasn't just talking as friends either. He and I got into a fight and he punched me. I fell into the coffee table ... that's gotta be why I'm here."

Bill realizing what was going on, decided that it was best to straighten the man out. "No, it isn't, Ralph. Listen kid, you and me were in a car wreck, remember? You weren't wearing the suit, and were injured."

The day's true events came rushing back to Ralph and he groaned, rubbing his head with his left hand. He then noticed the sling on his right arm.

Pam noticed the questioning look in Ralph's eyes and continued. "Ralph, you were brought to the hospital four hours ago with a dislocated shoulder and three fractured ribs. The doctors had to put you under to set your shoulder."

"Yeah, and the Counselor and me have been here all the time," Bill finished.

Ralph slowly put the information the two gave him together. "So, this dream about some Derreck guy must be from the anesthesia they gave me," he said with a slightly embarrassed smile. The other two nodded, and Ralph sighed. "So, did I say anything else out of the ordinary besides mentioning this Derreck fellow? Nothing that could put me into the psych ward?"

"No, nothing about the suit," said Pam, catching the gist of Ralph's comment, "but..."

"But what? Come on Pam, you might as well tell me."

"Hun, you called me a traitor. Whatever this Derreck must have done in your dream must be pretty bad for you to call me that."

"Yeah, it was odd, it seemed so real," said Ralph remembering everything in his dream. He decided to change the subject for now. "So, do we know who did this? Or, more importantly, when I can go home?"

"Not exactly kid," said Bill. "I do know it was a black van, but that doesn't narrow it down much."

"As far as the hospital, you're stuck here for a couple of days," said Pam sympathetically, knowing how much Ralph hated hospitals. "They want to be sure there's no complications from your ribs first."

Ralph nodded and tried to hide his yawn. Bill noticed he did it terribly. "Listen kid, I'm sure the drugs are kicking in again, so why don't you relax and I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Ralph nodded and closed his eyes. Bill nodded to Pam and walked out the door to head toward the agency. He had a sinking idea of what exactly happened but didn't want to get Ralph or Pam involved until he was sure so they weren't put in more danger.

---------------------------------------------------

At the agency, Bill was surprised to see Carlisle standing next to his desk with a worried expression on his face. Normally, he was rather cynical toward Bill if his car was wrecked. "Maxwell, what are you doing here," he said. "I saw your car and it's...well as you say toast."

"Yeah," Bill said simply. "I was taking a friend home and he's right now in the hospital. Listen, can you get me the file on Sam Alexandrite? I think someone deliberately sideswiped us and the perps were his colleagues."

Carlisle's expression changed from worried to serious. "No, I can't since it involves someone you know," he said. "And if you try to take it on, I'll have your badge."

"You don't understand," said Bill, his voice rising. "These guys hurt one of my friends. If it weren't for the new seatbelt law, he'd be on a slab in the morgue. I want that file."

The younger man kept his voice level, but firm, knowing Maxwell was probably under a lot of stress. "I'm sorry Maxwell, no, and as of right now, you're on medical leave for two days."

"Two..."

"Argue and it'll be two weeks," Carlisle said. "I won't ask for your badge or gun, but you even talk to me one more time, I'll take them as well. You need to go home and rest, you're still in shock from the wreck. We'll run through the files and see if we can find anything."

Bill took the brunt of Carlisle's lecture and nodded, knowing that while Carlisle was a bit sympathetic in this case, he also didn't want Bill to butt in. He turned and went outside to find he had another sedan waiting for him. Bill got in, sighed and headed toward his apartment to rest.

--------------------------------------

Over at a nearby phone, Dusty picked up the payphone and punched in a number. "Listen, just saw Maxwell leave the agency. Judging from the look on his face, he's been put on medical leave."

"Good. That's another step out of the way." the other man said.

"So, what do you want us to do, boss?"

"Nothing. Our colleague will make sure that Sam doesn't make it to the interrogation the day after tomorrow. Then, I can continue on my quest to avenge my sister's death." the man said and hung up the receiver. 'Now,' he thought, 'all I need to do is wait until they let down their guard.'