Hi! I can't apologise enough for the unbelievably huge delay in chapters. I nearly died when I saw the date of my last update. If there is anyone who can actually remember this story thank you so much for your patience!

Hide and Seek Chapter 13

The rain was gradually starting to ease off as Smith stared pensively out the hospital room window at the sight below him. He gazed down at the cacophony occurring on the busy city streets below with a twisted sense of longing, his fascination ever growing as the people hurried about in an unorchestrated dance around one another. People were rushing from side to side balancing umbrellas with bags focusing intently on their destination; just a typical day for them, and it created a deep feeling of jealously that burned like fire inside his veins.

As he gazed transfixed it made Smith wonder what exactly had happened to his "normal" life that had existed less than a day ago? He sighed in deep contemplation trying desperately hard to remember what an average day had been like for him before his mother's death. He laughed bitterly realising that his tortured mind has now started classing his memories as simply "before death" and "after death." There seemed to be no in between, it was so annoyingly cut and dry, so simple; before and after, past and present.

Time had moved past his mothers death, the ER below had clearly moved past her death, and now, as he stared down at these people below, it was obvious to him that they weren't affected at all by what had happened. His mother had died yet it seemed the world had failed to notice, had yet to realise that someone so treasured, so beloved had left them. Everyone seemed to be racing round to help this damn doctor, so concerned about his wellbeing, but what about him? Did anyone seem interested in the fact that his mother had been left to die? Murdered in this very hospital.

All he got was a lousy sorry and some rubbish about his mother not wanting any heroic measures. His mother had never mentioned anything about it. The only thing that kept racing through his mind was that this doctor must have talked her into it.

She would have wanted to see me; she would have hung on till I got there.

Something must have happened that he wasn't being told about and he swore that he would discover what, at any cost. He owed that at least to his mother. He wasn't going to let her death go unnoticed.

It was like a waking nightmare for him, with the awful images on constant repeat in his mind. He gripped the rail underneath the window tightly and took a deep breath in in an attempt to dispel the visions but was hit again by that same sickly, chemical smell. It was all around him; every time he took a breath he immersed himself in it. He had worked in this building for numerous years but this was the first time the smell was overwhelming his senses, almost choking him. It was like an unseen presence hovering in the air, taunting him, as if saying that every room he enters is clean, disinfected; that everything tangible of the occupant has been permanently erased. Any trace of the answers he desired were now tied up in the employees roaming the wards.

He ached to know what his mother had said before she died; how she had been. Was she scared? Was she distressed that he hadn't been by her side? Did she suffer? He had countless unanswered questions that were tearing him apart inside and the only person who could relieve this torment he was enduring was the very person who had created it. He had to talk with this doctor so he could fill in the blanks for him but until he woke up that was going to be impossible. There was also the ever present fact that there wasn't much time until the next shift started which meant the arrival of a new security guard. How was he going to be able to keep his eye on this doctor until he woke up if he wasn't allowed anywhere near him?

Sighing, he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the window, closing his eyes in relief as the low temperature appeased his heated skin. He started banging his head against the glass in frustration, wondering with growing apprehension what his next move should be. As various thoughts vied heatedly for his attention a sudden and unwelcome noise behind him brought him sharply out of reverie.

"What do you think you are doing?" Chris asked loudly as he stared at the security guard back in confusion. Standing in the doorway, he was trying hard to mentally picture tonight's schedule and work out which member of his department it was with his back to him. "Your job is to sit tight outside this door and keep an eye on the people visiting this unit, especially the people visiting this room, is that understood?"

Chris eyed the guard pointedly and he could feel his anger start to increase at the silence that was being directed at him. He wasn't used to this sort of behaviour from his staff and he had too much to deal with at the moment to add another temperamental employee to his already weighed down plate.

He shifted slightly in the doorway realising the situation wasn't about to be resolved as quickly as he would have liked. Clenching his jaw in irritation and sighing at the thought of all the other things he should be doing, Chris took a half hearted step into the room and slid the door quietly so that it was almost shut. Seeing as how the posture of the guard had yet to change he decided to try one more time to talk to him. One more strike and you are gone.

"As much as I value your dedication to the job I don't think this psycho is going to do an Indiana Jones through the window. The door ok?" Chris banged his hand firmly on the back of the door, shaking it slightly, to get the guard's attention. "That's your main concern, do you hear me?"

"Yeah." Smith muttered ominously, a veiled threat encompassed in the singular word.

Chris sighed in annoyance, placing his hands on his hips in growing anger. "Well I'd appreciate it if you turned round and said that to my face. I have just about had enough of having a conversation with your back. Now turn around and tell me you understand."

Smith clenched his fists tightly together feeling a large degree of satisfaction as they clicked in response. He raised his head slowly and as he stared coldly at his former boss's reflection in the glass he could feel his temper start to simmer just below the surface of his skin. His fingertips started to tingle, his breathing started to quicken. The short fuse he readily admitted to having was fast approaching the point of ignition.

"Yeah I understand that." Smith leisurely turned around and let his dark eyes rest on the younger man. "You know what I don't understand though Mr Harrison;" He slowly drawled out witheringly. "How the hell did I go all those years without kicking your ass?"

As he finally got to look at the man in front of him the colour quickly drained from Chris's stunned face. "Oh my God…..Smith…….what the hell are you doing here?" He spluttered struggling to contemplate what was happening. "You're….. fired; you don't work here any more." He glanced desperately around the room and hastily took a few staggered steps back towards the door, the streak of light emanating from the hallway providing a beacon to safety.

Smith chuckled snidely in response and took a few quick steps across the room. "Thanks for clearing that up."

Before Chris could react Smith quickly grabbed his former boss's shirt in anger and punched him hard in the face, knocking him out cold, his previous frustration asserting itself with the heavy blow.

As Chris crumpled into a heap in front of him Smith was overrun with the same feeling of satisfaction as when he had punched Chris earlier that day. Or was it yesterday? He shook his head in fury, trying hard to dispel the confusion. Who cares when it was, it still felt as good. There was no doubt, no remorse, just a desire to get back on track with what he had started. He knew other staff members would surely be on the way so it was time to move.


Sitting on the couch in the doctor's lounge Benton stared idly at the remaining dregs of coffee in his mug as he swirled them back and forth. Kerry had left him a few moments ago with a clear reminder to get himself some rest but he still hadn't worked up the energy to move. He was debating whether to just pass out on the couch he was sat on but he knew that the shift changes would occur soon and he wouldn't have much chance to get any decent sleep before the next shift arrived. He was hoping the caffeine would give him the necessary jolt to wake him up enough to drive home for a few hours.

The surgeon carefully placed the mug on the table next to him before pushing himself tiredly off the battered couch. His back ached in response to the unwelcome movement and Benton knew he would be paying dearly for tonight's activities.

Grabbing his coat off the chair he quietly made his way out the lounge and crossed the hallway to the elevators and was relieved when the doors quickly opened as if on cue. He dragged his tired feet inside and watched idly as the doors slid closed. His hand hovered over the garage button but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't will himself to push the button. His weary body was calling out to him to get to his car and get home to rest but his mind was firmly telling him to press the surgical floor button and check up on Carter. Kerry had made it clear that his place was now at home getting some much needed rest but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep until he had seen for himself that Carter was safe. The seconds slowly ticked by and his hand moved up and down as if on its own accord whilst he deliberated on his destination.

With a deep sigh he pressed the 4th button down hard. Sleep be damned.


Smith quickly dragged the unconscious younger man to the empty gurney parallel to Carter's and with a grunt of concerted effort lifted Chris onto it before hurriedly draping the blankets over him. He didn't know how long he had before one of the nurses returned.

Glancing around the room in desperation he hastily ran through his viable options before deciding on a course of action. He quickly hurried over to the door and slowly stuck his head out the doorway, his whole body on edge at the thought of discovery. When he saw that the hallway was deserted he slid the rest of his body out the room and latched his eager eyes on the one item he had been hoping would be present. As his hands slid around the cool metal of the wheelchair handles he thought with relief that the first part of his plan was complete. Pushing the wheelchair speedily back in the direction of Carter's room, he could only hope that the next part went as well.

Tbc…..