"No. No. No no no no no no no... No!" Alex's mouth and hands were moving of their own accord, undoing the restraints and lifting the limp infant from the car seat. Slamming one car door shut before yanking open another, laying Asher flat on the passenger seat. On autopilot she instantly got to work, checking for sure that Asher wasn't breathing, heart and lungs still in his tiny chest, before giving two rescue breaths. Then she searched for a pulse, tearing at the fabric of his tiny white and red shirt. Desperate. No change. Starting chest compressions was next, a few fingers all that was required for such a small baby. Alex couldn't think and she couldn't feel, mind refusing to process anything for the time being. Counting. Thirty compressions, two breaths. Over and over. Depressing Asher's chest and breathing for him. Alex didn't know if she was bringing him back or simply working to delay the alternative. It was too horrible to even consider. Healthy, perfect, beautiful babies didn't just die. They had everything left to live for. No first words, or first steps. It couldn't end like this. Alex refused to let it. She'd give her own life in an instant, if only that was possible. Nothing mattered more than seeing those big blue eyes open again, sparkling as he gave a gummy smile. Adrenaline and desperation powered a fresh wave of motivation. Pressing just a little harder and making sure his lungs filled completely with each breath. It was a seemingly endless cycle.

Then it happened, not like in the movies, he didn't open his eyes or cry. Alex just felt a single beat of the tiny heart against her fingertips. Followed by another then another. A gasping breath. Asher was alive. Alex felt like she could scream or cry or collapse to the ground at any second but she didn't. Lifting the baby to her chest, clutching him tightly while carrying him around the car. Then it became a matter of dividing her attention between driving and monitoring each breath, the pause between them forcing her well over the speed limit. They needed to get to a hospital. "Mama?" Phoebe questioned uncertainly from the back seat.

"Phoebe!" Alex answered after a moment, the red light ahead making her angry. "Phoebe come here" She instructed. It took a moment for the toddler to comply, pressing as hard as she could to get free of the car seat. Then there was the matter of climbing over the central console and sliding into the passenger seat. "Phone"

"Here" Phoebe replied a minute later, now sitting in the foot well with the phone in her hands.

"Okay, turn the phone to me" Alex told her, if she wasn't driving like a maniac she would have done it herself.

"Pic-ures" Phoebe announced, usually the only time she held a phone was when she was looking at pictures and tried to identify Nana or Grandma or Papa Joe.
"No bub, we're not gonna look at pictures right now. I need to phone the hospital quickly." Alex explained getting frustrated as she tried to get the phone connected to the Bluetooth in the car so it will be easier, but wih eyes on the road and a hand on her son's chest to check that ehe is still breathing is making all of this much more difficult than she expected.

"911, what is your emergency?" The operator questioned calmly.

"I'm a special agent with the FBI" It was a little bit of a lie but it worked in their favour, immediately the lady knew she meant business. "I've just...shit...sorry one second..." Alex started, before realising it had been too long since Asher's last breath. He was gone again. Just like that. "Phoebe" Alex requested desperately as she dropped the phone, the toddler scrambling to pick it up. It would have been impossible to recreate but somehow Alex managed to start CPR while continuing to drive. One hand working to keep them on the road while the other fought to get Asher back.

"Hello?" Phoebe asked into the air not sure how someone can hear her talk even though there was no phone in sight. To her it seemed more like she was talking to a ghost who managed to hear her. She really wanted to talk to Dada. She was scared and he would know what to do.

"Hi. Hello sweetie, what's happening?" It wasn't Daddy but the lady sounded nice.

"Umm...We in car" Phoebe answered hesitantly.

"We're on our way to the hospital. Resuscitating an infant. I need a medical team on stand by" Alex contributed as loudly as she could, hoping the operator would be able to hear her.

"Is that your Mummy?" The operator asked, fingers tapping away on a keyboard in the background.

"Yes" Phoebe nodded.

"And a baby?" The operator prompted, trying to get a better idea of what was happening.

"Ashie sick" Phoebe explained, worried by the way her little brother was being flopped around. Mama wasn't being very gentle but Asher wasn't crying.

"He's not breathing?" The operator suggested, desperate for more information to feed the medical team as they assembled.

"Mama's kissing him..."

"Okay...Ask your Mummy her ETA" The operator instructed, the baby wasn't breathing and somehow the angry special agent was driving and resuscitating him.

"Two minutes, if this idiot GETS OUT OF MY WAY!" Alex answered, losing her patience with the driver in front of her before performing an illegal overtaking maneuver.

"Tell her there is a team waiting at the emergency entrance on the north side" The operator informed, feeling the desperation in Alex's shouting.

"North side?" Alex confirmed, it was the closest. It was logical to have two, one, on the east side was the main while the second was largely unused, except in situations like these.

"Yeah" Phoebe nodded as they took a sharp turn at speed, forcing her against the door. Alex gave two last breaths, not even counting the compressions as she slammed on the brakes. Stopping just short of the waiting medical team. Three doctors, a nurse and an orderly standing ready. Alex didn't hesitate to surrender Asher, watching as half a dozen hands poked and prodded him then continued CPR. They talked to each other in rapid foreign words Alex couldn't understand, rushing to get to the equipment they needed. Stumbling after them as they started to move, wheeling Asher through the glass doors and along the stark white corridor, Alex could only think of one thing. What if she hadn't done enough?

Phoebe had been left behind in the rush, not climbing out of the car car, thankfully she wasn't alone. The nice emergency services operator remained on the phone to her.

"Alright kiddo, stay where you are I have someone coming to get you" The operator informed after a long silence, switching lines to talk to the hospital. Phoebe was crying loudly, thinking her phone friend had abandoned her as well.

"Mama" She pleaded with the door, kicking and banging against it.

"Someone will be there soon" The operator assured gently, wishing there was more she could do for the little girl.

"I...want my...Mama" Phoebe sniffled.

"You'll see her soon"

"Soon now" Phoebe whined, starting to look around for another way out of the car and into the building. Soon was how long it had taken for Asher to be born, she couldn't possibly wait outside for that long.

"What's your name?" The operator asked hoping to distract her for long enough for the hospital staff to arrive.

"Phoebe Gwace Booof"

"That's a pretty name" The operator commented, wondering why it was taking so long.

" How old are you?" The operator enquired, tapping her fingers impatiently.

"Big girl two" Phoebe answered.

"That's awesome" The operator smiled.

"... I want my Dada... And Lukie" Phoebe cried loudly, the corner was a long way away, Mummy was gone and Asher was sick. It had turned into a horrible afternoon, she wanted her family and she wanted to go home.

"Who's Lukie?" The operator sighed, almost sure that she could have gotten in her car and driven to the hospital faster. Everyone remembered the terror of getting lost in the supermarket as a kid so she had some idea what the little girl was feeling, alone in a car not being able to find her way out, and only two years old.

"My unkie" Phoebe answered, thinking of him cheered her.

Alex watched on in shock, struggling to process what was happening. Feet planted at the end of the bed, unmoving. This couldn't be real. She hoped with every fiber of her being that this was a nightmare. That any moment she would wake up, sit up and see Asher sleeping peacefully in his crib. A living breathing baby not the lifeless, pale blue form on the hospital bed. Wires stuck to his chest to monitor his heart rate, or lack thereof, alarms on the machines beeping urgently as the doctors and nurses kept working.

"How much does he weigh?" A doctor questioned Alex, acknowledging her presence for the first time.

"Almost fifteen pounds" Alex supplied quickly, hating that she hadn't been more specific.

"Fourteen pound twelve this morning" She corrected but they'd already emptied half the syringe of clear fluid into Asher's arm. Tilting his head back before forcing a tube down his throat, attaching a small bag, that a nurse squeezed to force air into his little lungs more efficiently. The doctor called for chest compressions to stop so he could press his stethoscope to Asher's chest, checking the placement of the tube. Then the large hand was back, depressing his chest with such force that Alex wanted to intervene, his little ribs protesting as bruises started to form. Alex knew she couldn't though, she wasn't supposed to be there and drawing attention to herself wouldn't help. These people were the difference between having two children and one. Where the hell was Phoebe? Looking around for the toddler she missed the call for the defibrillator, turning back when the doctor made the call.

"Clear!" Alex could almost feel the shock herself, Asher's tiny body tensing horribly for an instant.

"Nothing" A female doctor supplied.

"Go again" The male doctor, middle aged and apparently in charge, called.

"Charging" The third doctor informed.

"Clear!"

"Again" He requested when there was no change. "Clear" He called, more quietly than before. Alex could feel it and see it, already he was losing hope. They couldn't have been in the hospital for more than five minutes. Tears suddenly welling up and spilling down her cheeks as she let the thought cross her mind for a second. This could be it. She might have seen Asher's last smile, felt his firm grip on a finger for the last time and stroked his eyebrows as he slept for the last time. A strangled sob escaped her, ripping free, alerting everyone to the pain she was feeling. a
"Pulse! I've got a pulse!" The nurse yelled, disbelief clear in her voice. The lead doctor's hand replaced hers, pressing two fingers to Asher's neck while adding another two in under his arm. Eyes fixed on the t green line of the heart rate monitor, rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

"Get that up" He instructed tapping the screen, the value representing his blood oxygen levels. Then he turned to Alex and gave the most comforting look she had ever seen. He looked calm and completely in control, she understood, that was his job and it wasn't his baby. Understandably she was a mess in comparison, watching them continue with tubes, wires and needles, ignoring him until he touched her arm gently. "What's going on Mum?" He asked, looking back at Asher for a second to make his question clearer. Now that Asher was alive they needed to know what had happened.

"I..." Her voice cracked and she stopped for a moment. "I don't know."

"How old is she?" The doctor enquired with a small, caring smile.

"Six weeks. I don't understand, he was fine... we were at the doctor" She tried to explain, starting to come to terms with the reality of what had just happened.

"His first vaccinations?" He questioned.

"Yeah" Alex nodded, not sure how that was connected.

"Okay, that's alright then. In that case I believe he's having an allergic reaction. A very severe one. We'll have to run some tests of course but...he's stable for now. Take a deep breath for me" The doctor requested, stepping closer and gripping her arm carefully.

"I just..." She gasped, feeling breathless and lightheaded. All she had been trying to do was keep Asher safe from disease but she'd almost killed him.

"I know. It's scary, but he's okay" He comforted, pleased with the vitals displayed on the monitor.

"No he isn't. This happened before, he came back for a while...then he was gone again" Alex argued urging him to keep watching her son

"We're monitoring him very closely" He assured. "Come sit down for a minute."

"No" She replied flatly, though sitting would probably help, feeling her blood pressure change.

"He'll be okay. You on the other hand look like you're about to faint. Deep breath for me" He encouraged.

"I can't leave him" She explained weakly, trying to regain control of herself.

"Nurse, can you get a chair?" He requested of the woman walking past.

"Sure"

"Okay, here you go" The doctor said softly a few moments later as he helped her sit down. Alex sat forward, elbows resting on her knees, head in hands as she breathed deeply. "I'm Doctor Williams by the way" He introduced when she straightened, feeling considerably more relaxed.

"Alex and Asher, Booth" She replied accepting the glass of water the nurse offered, hating how pathetic she must look.

"Oh god, where's Phoebe? Has someone got Phoebe?" Alex demanded as she stood quickly, all the colour she had regained drained.

"Woah, just sit. Who's Phoebe?" Doctor Ward asked, forcing her back into the chair.

"My daughter, she was in the car, she's only two..." She started, the emergency situation with Asher had been such a distraction she had forgotten Phoebe.

Phoebe had made it out of the car and to the main entrance of the hospital and was facing the complete opposite problem, there were now far too many people. Rushing and bustling past as they went about their day, seemingly oblivious to the toddler weaving amongst their legs. There was a kind looking lady with a baby. An ambulance, arriving with lights and sirens, caught Phoebe's attention and a group of people in white coats rushed towards it almost knocking her over. Worried about their return Phoebe had no choice but to put an end to the madness.

"MAMA!" She screamed as loudly as she could, becoming the center of attention and forcing the adults to stop.

"Phoebe?"

"Lukie!" Phoebe squealed running towards the man she recognised immediately. He stepped away from the desk where he was busy signing papers and crouched down as she approached. Phoebe threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she hugged him tightly, finally feeling safe.

"What are you doing here Phoebe?" Luca asked when she finally released him.

"Mama?" Phoebe questioned, relieved to have found someone she knew and trusted but still desperate to find her mother.

"Where's your mum?" He questioned, looking around for any sign of Alex.

"Gone a-way" Phoebe answered, on the verge of tears, finding her mother in their house during a game of hide and seek was hard enough. The hospital was ginormous, it was going to take forever and Luca wasn't even looking in the right place.

"Are you lost?" He suggested, lifting her up as he continued to look around.

"Mama hostible" Phoebe explained.

"Okay, don't worry. We'll help you find her" Luca assured, he walked over to the nurses station and explained that they were family and the toddler was looking for her mother. Hoping they would be able to announce it somhow like they do in the shops that Phoebe Grace Booth is at the nurses station and that her mother should come get her there. After all there wasn't any other alternative he could think or, and he had so many questions that first needed to be answered like why were they at the hospital, and how was it possible that Phoebe could get lost. Knowing his sister she would keep her kids on a lease as she walked around with them because she becomes a paranoid mom whenever she couldn't find her toddler in the grocery store.

"Phoebe? We've been waiting for you!" A cheerful young doctor greeted, encouraging Luca o to follow him. Around a corner and down the corridor they approached the cubical where Alex was pacing anxiously. Conflicted between staying with Asher and searching for Phoebe herself.

"Mama!" Phoebe shrieked as they neared.

"Bub" Alex replied with a concerned smile. She took the toddler from Luca and checked her over carefully before hugging her tightly. The young man were alarmed to see Asher but quickly found something they could do to help, notify Ryan and get him to the hospital. By the time he arrived Asher had been moved up to the pediatric intensive care unit, Alex rocking Phoebe as she slept at the foot of the crib.

"Alex..." Ryan whispered softly as he entered the room, not wanting to startle her by walking up behind her. He got a glimpse of Asher, tubes and wires everywhere, but tried to focus on his wife, it hurt less. Alex turned to face him and he could see how close she was to breaking, rushing to pull her into his arms. Everything she had been holding in poured forth and he held her as she cried softly, even at her lowest point she was still mindful of Phoebe sleeping against her shoulder. They were all alive and together, that was the most important thing.

Hey guys, it's been a while. I am insanely busy at uni at the moment which is why I am not posting as frequently as I would have liked to. Also I kinda lost track of the storyline I was on since this whole Asher debacle happened so I will roll with this one until we get to the end (please be patient with me). I hope you can still follow the story and make sense of it. Thak you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.

Lovies-S