Friends and Lovers

Chapter 12

Disclaimers: do I still have to do this? You know who belongs to who (whom?).

A/N: Thank you to all the faithful who read but not necessarily review. We appreciate the fact you're still reading. Special thanks to pryrmtns who has been especially faithful from the beginning. Your comments are very much appreciated and savored.

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Federal Holding Facility

Myles and Sue approached the man in the interrogation room slowly.

"Danny?" asked Myles as he slid into a seat. "Remember me?"

Danny frowned while he studied Myles' face. He broke into a smile when recognition hit. "Yeah," he said eagerly. "I saw you yesterday. Did you find Jason? I think he's lost," he confided worriedly.

Sue and Myles exchanged looks.

"Um, Danny? My name is Sue," she began gently. "I need to ask you some questions. Is that okay?"

"Sure," he smiled.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

"Yeah, there was a big fire. I think Jason got lost in that fire. He said he was going to clean up first. You have to go find him," he urged them.

"Danny, do you remember anything before the fire?" asked Myles.

"Hmm," thought Danny, "I think we went to the bank."

"Why?"

"Jason said we needed money. You need money, you go to the bank," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Whose idea was it to put the bombs in the building?"

"Not bombs," he denied as if Myles had made a silly statement. "Jason said we were hiding surprises in the building. You know...like the Easter egg hunt."

"You didn't know what was in the packages?" asked Sue.

"No," answered Danny, "but Jason knows. Ask Jason. He's my best friend. He takes care of me." His face suddenly scrunched up as he started to tear. "Go find Jason. I miss him."

The sadness Myles and Sue felt following Danny's forlorn outburst was palpable. How could they tell him his friend was never coming home?

"Thank you, Danny," Sue said gently.

"Go find Jason, okay?" repeated Danny wiping away his tears.

Myles nodded. It was hard to speak with the lump in his throat. "Sure."

"Good." His face broke into a smile.

Myles nodded to the guard to indicate the interview was over.

The guard placed his hand firmly but gently on the prisoner's shoulder. "Time to go back, Danny."

"Okay," he said happily. "They have television here," he confided. "They let me watch."

Their eyes followed him out the door. Sue bit her lower lip in an effort to keep her emotions in check. It was heartrending.

"Now you know how I felt last night," Myles commented.

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Bullpen

"It was heart-breaking," Sue shared. "It's like Myles' said—Danny's waiting for his friend to come back and take care of him." She shook her sadly. "He thinks Jason got lost in the fire."

Jack cleared his throat. "Jason Mitchell had no previous record as far as we know. Medical records indicate he broke his back in an accident about five years ago and it didn't heal properly. He left behind a stack of unpaid medical bills.

"What about Danny?" asked Sue.

"From what we can gather, Danny was homeless when Jason found him. He apparently realized that Danny needed someone to take care of him and decided that someone would be him," shared D. He shook his head, "Not your typical bad guy."

Tara spoke up. "Lucy and I did more research and discovered Jason Mitchell had a will leaving everything he had to Danny including an insurance policy. At his death, Danny would collect a hundred thousand dollars."

"So he did take care of Danny after all," commented Myles remembering the remark by the pregnant hostage.

"No, he didn't," replied Tara. "He neglected to read the fine print. No payout if you commit suicide or you die in the process of committing a felony crime. He strikes out on both."

Tara's revelation just added to the somber emotions already permeating the office over Danny's situation.

"So what happens to Danny now?" asked Myles.

Jack and D shrugged their shoulders. "It's up to the DA's office," said D. "But I'm guessing there won't be much of a case."

The phone rang in the background. Lucy went to answer it.

"Sue?" Jack tapped her on the shoulder, pointing to Lucy. "Phone call from Bobby."

She hurried to her desk. "Are you being released?" she asked as she drew the microphone closer.

"Yeah, but I forgot I need some clothes," scrolled across the screen. "One of my drill sergeants must have thrown my burnt ones away."

"Okay," she answered with a hint of a smile in her voice. "But since you can't fit in any of mine or Lucy's—at least I hope not—where do I get clothes for you?"

"Very funny. Ask Jack. He knows where I keep my spare key."

She looked at Jack who had followed her to her desk and summarized her conversation succinctly, "Bobby needs clothes. The ones he had were ruined."

"Running into a burning building will do that," commented Jack raising his eyebrows. "I know where he keeps his spare key. I could go with you," he offered.

She nodded and turned back to the mike. "Jack says okay. See you soon." She cut off the connection and turned back to Jack. "Can you drive? I came with Lucy this morning."

"Sure," he responded as he got up to get his jacket.

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Hospital

"And did you behave yourself?" asked Sue handing Bobby an athletic bag when they arrived at his room.

"I restrained myself admirably, despite the multitude of humiliating tasks they wanted to commit upon my person," he declared righteously.

Jack looked at Bobby suspiciously. "Humiliating tasks?"

"The nurse asked if I wanted a sponge bath or could I take a shower by myself? A sponge bath? Me? I think not."

"So I'm guessing you opted for the shower."

"That's a no-brainer, Sparky."

"Go change," ordered Sue trying to restrain her smile. "The nurses will probably throw a party after you leave."

Bobby made a face at her as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He was about to stand when he stopped and looked at Sue.

"Something wrong? Do you need help?" asked Sue in concern.

Bobby looked at her. "Do you think you could turn around for a minute?"

She frowned, puzzled at his request. She looked at Jack for help.

"I think he wants you to turn around to protect his dignity," Jack said facetiously raising his eyebrows for emphasis.

Bobby glared at him.

"Oh," said Sue as understanding dawned. "I'll just wait outside." She shot a dimpled smile at Bobby.

Bobby continued to glare at Jack.

"Oh, I get it." Holding back his laughter, Jack followed Sue out to the corridor. "I'll get the car while you wait for Bobby."

"Okay," she agreed.

Bobby joined her a few minutes later carrying the now empty bag, a satisfied smile on his face. "I'm ready to go."

"Good," replied Sue with an answering smile. "Jack went to get the car."

As they started for the elevator, a voice called out, "Just a minute, Mr. Manning."

Bobby stopped and turned. Sue noticed his actions and turned with him.

A nurse was coming towards them with a wheelchair. "For you," she announced as she stopped in front of Bobby.

He looked puzzled. "Why? There's nothing wrong with me. I can walk."

"Hospital rules. All discharged patients must go down in a wheelchair," the nurse explained bracing herself for the protests she expected to come. "What you do after you leave here is entirely your business."

A look of disbelief crossed his face. "I can't believe this. I'm fine," he protested. "I can walk. I..." A hand on his arm made him pause. It was Sue. Her expression spoke volumes.

He bit back his comments and with a huge sigh reluctantly put his tall frame into the wheelchair. "I feel so silly," he muttered.

"Hospital rules," the nurse repeated.

"You should think of changing some of them," he grumbled under his breath. The nurse rolled her eyes as she pushed her patient into the elevator. The rest of the ride was quiet.

"There," said the nurse as she deposited him by the waiting car. With distinct pleasure, she turned to Sue and said, "He's all yours, honey. Good luck."

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