To Be By Your Side

Chapter 2.

In the next few days following Bull's heart attack Luci begins to notice how much the incident has changed their lives and how much both Bull and the TAC team have made both she and Jason a family alongside them. Because the next morning Jason insists that she makes time for them to go into TAC to go and see everyone before they went to school, as he'd been coloring them all pictures and wanted to go and give them to them all. He had also somehow persuaded her that as long as she was sure that he was well enough, then he would also like to go and see Bull after school because he had also made a get well card for him and wanted to be able to go and visit him, so she promised that as long as he'd had a good night and everything was ok when she went to check on him that morning then she would think about letting him go.

When they arrived at the TAC building she then found herself surprised when she was told that she could go straight up to the offices and then couldn't help but laugh when Cable was waiting for them by the elevator and Jason jumped straight into her arms for a hug as he said "Yay it's my girlfriend!" After then telling him to behave Cable told her that everyone was in the main room and she could go through, while they stopped behind and he gave Cable the picture he'd done for her.

As she walked through Luci found herself just slightly overwhelmed by all the technology that was around her, especially as she really didn't know what was involved in what Bull did there along with the team, yes she had heard about trial analysis companies because Brandon had told her about using them himself in court, but he had told her the night before when she'd got home that he hadn't ever worked with TAC before, but did know that Bull's methods were slightly different to some of the other companies out there. So as she walked through she found herself thinking about how much she looked forward to learning more about it from the team and of course the man himself.

When she got to where everyone was Marissa was straight to her offering her a seat and a cup of coffee, as she gave them the report that even though she hadn't been in to see him yet, she had called and had been told that Bull had had a very comfortable night and had at least got some rest. If everything was ok with his checkup when she got in there after she'd taken Jason to school, then more of them would be able to go and visit him, and would also be able to spend a bit longer with him, but not too long because he would still need to have his rest, and of course she would always keep them updated with what was going on. When Jason then came running in followed by Cable behind him he managed to make them all laugh as he all of a sudden stopped in his tracks and said "Woah!" With seeing all the computer monitors and everything else. To which Benny then said, "Yes it can all be a bit overwhelming when you first see it." Then once he finally got over that initial surprise he then went running around handing them the pictures that he'd done for them. Then just as Luci said that they had better go because of getting him to school, Benny said that they didn't have to worry as he would be happy to take them to the school. Then after that Marissa disappeared off into Bull's office and when she came out again it was with a big bunch of flowers in her hands with a card and as she found it was a 'thank you' for all that she had done the previous day for Bull she said that they didn't have to do that because she had been very happy to help him, but they told her that they wanted to do it because if it hadn't been for her then he wouldn't have been there with them now, seeing as they'd heard about the woman that had pulled her son away from him and acting like he was a drunk down and out or something rather than someone who had actually needed help. Not only that they would now always be there for her whenever she needed it and she was also very welcome to drop in and see them at any time she wanted to, not only that they were also built in babysitters and at any time she needed one, then she was welcome to ask them at any time. When she asked them how they were going to manage without Bull they told her not to worry as they would keep things going for him when he returned, and of course when he did do so they wouldn't let him come back all at once and get himself all stressed again and of course they would also make sure that he didn't work for hours on end or live just on junk food and drinking, plus the sleeping in the office would also stop and they were going to make sure especially that he went back to his apartment to sleep and that he wouldn't also end up taking work home with him as well. With that she asked if it was true about all that and they said that it was all true, and with that Marissa went and showed her his office and what was there, so she then said that if at any time he did attempt it at any time, then they were more than welcome to give her a call and if the worst came to the worst she'd come and drag him away from it, even if she also knew that she could end up being the one that bore the brunt of any anger he may possibly show, because she was used to it from her past patients, and not only that also from when her own father had a heart attack himself and was very much the same as Bull was by the sound of things. With her saying that Marissa said that if by any chance that did happen then if she needed to talk about it then they would always be a phone call away, to which she replied that she would be there for them as well at anytime they needed to talk about anything and it didn't have to be about Bull either. After that, she then looked at her watch and said that they ought to get going, especially as once they'd done that she had to go and see the man in question and see how he was getting on.

By the time she got to the hospital Luci was in for a little bit of a surprise because as she got herself together to go into Bull's room to go and check him over, she was told by one of the nurses that he had got someone currently in with him, and with her having already gone into TAC already that morning she guessed that it wasn't one of them. As she got closer to his room she could hear quiet talking and them both laughing every so often, but what surprised her the most was that the woman's voice seemed a bit familiar to her, so she was then even more surprised when she walked in to find that Amy was in the room. She knew Amy very well because her father had got the two of them together following her accident, as she kept refusing to go to the recommended psychologists that her other Dr's suggested she went to, so in the end knowing how good Amy was her father had approached her and she had agreed to see Luci, which in turn Luci had eventually agreed to go and see her, and in the end Amy had worked real wonders with her, and now they had got to a point where Luci would only call and go to see her if she felt that she really needed it. So, in the end, she took a deep breath and walked in saying "Hi Amy and hello Jason." As the two women then hugged Bull said: "I'm guessing that the two of you know each other then?"

Amy then said, "We sure do, so I'm guessing now that you have been the one that has kept Bull here with us?"

She replies "Yes I was and you can certainly say that it was an eventful day yesterday, for the both of us."

He says "That it was."

With that Amy then says to Bull "I'd better get going and we'll talk I'd say a couple of times a week for now as long as it's ok with your Dr of course, can we also have a quick chat, Luci?"

She replies "That's ok with me and we can, so I'll be back in a minute Jason."

He says "ok"

As the two women walk out the room and head to a slightly more private area Amy says "So does this mean that you're back to work now?"

She replies "No I'm not, it's just that after yesterday's events Charlie persuaded me to come back and consult with him on all this, but all I'm doing is being here for Jason's case only and then when everything is over with him I won't be coming back again."

Amy then says "Ok, but remember I will be here for you at any time if you need to talk. Just give me a call or see me here when I'm here to talk to Jason and we will sort out a time for us to get together."

"Thank you and after hearing a bit more about what has been going on with him recently I am glad that you're going to be here for him and I will make sure that you have Clarence at any time you come to to see him to be alone with him without any disturbances, but if at any time you do have some problems over seeing him then just call me and I will come down to make sure that it will happen."

Amy replies "I will do and thank you, anyway I'd better let you go so that you can check him over and do whatever you need to do, and I do mean it if you need anything just give me a call and you know you don't have to call me about anything to do with the other things that we have talked about, it can also be anything to do with that man in there as well, and I promise you that it won't be a conflict of interest I'll ensure that I will be able to keep both of your cases separate."

She says "I'll be glad of that because I wouldn't want to lose you."

Amy replies "And I wouldn't want to lose you as a client or friend either, just like the way things are the same between me and Jason as well, but saying that I really must go as I've got a client to see and I must let you get on, just promise me that you will also keep me updated with how he's getting as well. You know I am also glad that he did actually call me and tell me what had happened yesterday, otherwise, I doubt whether I'd have found out about this."

She answers "I don't know, you may have done if I'd have come to see you and had talked about things and you may have possibly worked it out, or he may have ended up calling you, one because I would have recommended you to him and two I had been thinking about suggesting he may want to talk to someone about things, but after talking to his team this morning I most certainly would have been telling him to do it, but at least I don't have to worry about making that suggestion now."

Amy says "No you don't and remember just give me a call if you anything in any way."

She answers "I will do and I'll most probably see you soon."

As Amy then leaves she walks back into the room and then says "Good morning again, so stupid question I know, but how do you feel this morning?"

He replies "Not as bad as this time yesterday at least, just a bit tired and quite sore."

"Well you will be feeling like that for a few days, as your body has been through such a lot in the last twenty-four hours, but the soreness will go off as your chest begins to recover from the surgery, and there have been no problems with the dressings and the stitches?"

He answers "It did get a bit itchy, but one of the nurses did check it and all was ok, well other than when she pulled the thing off and she did put a new one on as well."

She says "That's good, we'll keep an eye on things and once it gets healed up nicely we'll get the stitches out, and hopefully you may just be lucky and have a very tiny scar there, seeing as I was the one that did the stitches for you and I was always told that I was one of the best to do stitches because of the way that I would hardly leave any scars."

They then fall into silence as she carries on with the examination, then just after completing the blood pressure test Bull then says "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but how do you know Amy?"

As she's finished she sits in the chair by his side and replies "It's a bit of a long story, but my husband's death hit me very hard, but I refused to go and see anyone about that. Then I had the accident which effectively stopped me in my tracks and I lost the career I loved, but I still refused to see anyone over that as well. I did give a couple of people a go, but they just weren't the right people to help me. About the same time as the accident, Dad had a heart attack himself and that piled even more onto me because of the way that the two of us are so close. In the end, from him having worked with Amy in the past we had a bit of a heart to heart in the hospital one night and he suggested that if I didn't want to see anyone that the hospital suggested, then I should try her out instead. I agreed and he got everything set up, I saw her and I know that to start off with I would hardly talk because with having so much going on in my head I really didn't know what to tackle first and where to go with things, but we took things slowly and eventually I talked more and more, which I found really did help in the end. Not only that in time the two of us have also become really good friends, so much so that she is actually Jason's godmother. When Rob passed away we were just building up to having him christened, but I canceled it because it really didn't feel right to have it done without him being by my side. Eventually, she helped me with the conflicts I was having over my own faith and to some extent got it back again, so when I was ready I did as Rob wished, as we both wished and got him christened and as I say she became his godmother. So how do the two of you know each other?"

He answers "We met early on in my career before I got into the trial science and we eventually worked together, then just as I was beginning to get TAC off of the ground I started to see her in a more professional manner, but slowly things faded out and we lost touch. We got back in touch with each other again last year when she bought a case to me."

She then smiles and says "And I am actually learning more about what you do, especially with having gone into TAC this morning because Jason wanted to see everyone because he'd done them all pictures, so we took them in before he went to school, and I have a feeling that when he sees you he may have a few questions for you to about it all, as he was slightly in awed of all the technology you have, as was I. My brother Brandon is a lawyer and has worked with other companies and has told me a little bit about how trial consultants work, but he did admit that he knew worked in a slightly different way and didn't know much because of not having ever bought a case to you."

He replies "Well I will tell you all I can about it and would be happy to do it, and when I do get out of here even if I'm not back at work properly yet I promise you that I will give you both a guided tour of TAC and perhaps sort things out so that you can also have a demonstration. So when do I get the chance of meeting my namesake?"

She answers "As well as managing to persuade me to take him into TAC this morning he had asked me when he could come and see you as well and was angling to come in this afternoon after school, so if you behave yourself today, then I may just do that later on. By the way, if when he comes in he starts talking to you about his girlfriend, you'd better know that it's Cable. She met us by the elevators this morning and as soon as he saw her when the doors opened 'It's my girlfriend' were the first words out of his mouth."

He chuckles and replies "Thanks for the heads up, so what are your plans now?"

"Well I think most probably it will be going to talk things over with Charlie, especially as he should have the results of the blood tests from this morning by now, then I don't know, may go and have some lunch before I have to head off to collect Jason and bring him back here so that he can come and see you."

He replies "Ok, so I know that Benny may be in a bit later on to see me, but could I perhaps possibly persuade you to come and have your lunch with me and keep me company and you can also see how good I'm being."

She pauses and jokingly replies "Are you asking me for a date, Dr. Bull?"

He smiles and says "could be, but only because it would be nice to have some company from someone who not only saved my life, but someone who I think may become a really good friend."

With that, she smiles back and replies "I think that would be nice, thank you." So with that, she gets up and goes on a hunt for Charlie.

Later on when Benny does visit he explains to Bull about having gone to visit Luci's father and he's happy with them taking up the case again for her, especially as there had also been a few developments on the case because it had been a mixture of her accident and also the news that he had received behind the reasons why he hadn't come to them to say to go ahead with the case, because after the city had accepted responsibility for leaving the site open where Rob had been murdered they then withdrew it and then the police released the suspect they had said that they hadn't got enough evidence to actually confirm it was him, despite him having made the confession. A few weeks ago though they'd had a report to say that not had they re-arrested him, but they had also discovered that he'd had an accomplish and they had also arrested him as well, her father hadn't said anything to Luci about things because they hadn't wanted to get her hopes up again. From what they'd also got over her accident there was also more than enough for them to go after the hospital she was at at the time, but that could wait until he was well enough to be at work again and of course, handle the case. For now they had got Arti and a few others who had offered to help them out in the interim, but Luci's father had agreed to come in and help as well, even though he knew that Luci may kill him for it because he had been in private practice at the time of his own heart attack and had then retired following it and even though he was healthy and well now, he was already guessing that she may end up worrying about him working once again, although he had already promised that he would also keep away from anything involving Luci's cases because of it being a possibility that he could get accused of doing something to influence the outcome of things. So with that Bull told him to get everything he could from the cops and to keep an eye on what was going on, especially as it would then give them a chance to be in with the case from the start and to also give him what he could without her knowing of course as well. The other thing that he wanted them to do was to have a party in the mock courtroom for both Luci and Jason one reason was as his thank you to her for what she had done the day before, but after the tradition of them doing it had seemed to have dropped, he wanted to get them started once again, he would also be sorting a few things out to arrive at the office that they were to give to her on his behalf.

At the end of the day, Luci had gone back to Bull's room after having been to talk to Charlie about something, while she had been gone she had left Jason talking with Bull and had told them both to behave themselves while she was gone. As she headed back to the room once again it was to hear some laughing from them both, as she then stopped out of their sight just outside the room to listen to the both of them she then heard Jason say "Uncle Jason, did my mom leave you with a scar a bit like mine?"

To which Bull replied, "She told me today that she was one of the best people to do stitches, so because of that I might only have a really little one." After a pause, he then asked back "So how did you get yours?"

Jason answered, "I don't really remember it much, but when I was born I had a bad heart and had to have it repaired, so now I have a long scar look."

She then had a smile to herself as she had a guess that he'd opened his shirt to show it to Bull."

"That's a big one and is in the same place as mine is, but I can't show you it because it is all covered up now while it gets all healed up. So are you going to help with a little surprise for your mom and can you manage to keep it a secret?"

He says "I can if I try really hard, what is it?"

Even though she would really love to hear their plans she decides not to so walks away for a minute or so, while Bull tells Jason about the party and the other surprises he has as his thank you to her for the day before. After then giving them a little while to talk about things she then heads back to the room again and seeing the look on their faces, especially as Jason looks at her as though she is going to tell him off, because when she left the room he was sitting at the side of the bed, but in the time that he had been there he had climbed up on it and was now sitting cuddled up with Bull. As she went over she said, "I'm sorry to break up the party that seems to be going on in here without me, but we really must go because we need to get something to eat and then you will need to get ready for bed."

He replies "Do we have to mom?"

She says "We do because otherwise you will be overtired tomorrow at school and I'll be in trouble with your teachers if you go and fall asleep during lessons."

He says with a slight whine and huff "Ok, but mommy can I come and see uncle Jason again?"

She replies "I'm sure that you can, as long as he would like to see you again of course."

Bull says "Of course I would."

So she then says "So I promise that you can, say your goodbyes and we can get going so that Uncle Jason can also get some rest."

With that, she then can't help but smile at the way Jason puts his arms around Bull's neck before he then says "Goodnight uncle Jason." But it then turns into a laugh when he then adds "And please do what mommy tells you, otherwise she will tell you off."

As he then shuffles himself down to the edge of the bed so that she can help down Bull replies "I promise I will do everything that your mom tells me to do."

After helping him down she then turns to Bull and says "Thank you for looking after him Jason, now get some rest and I'll see you again tomorrow."

He then says "Goodnight" to her and as she and Jason walk out he can't help but smile himself when he hears Jason say just as they walk out the door "You know mommy I really like uncle Jason, do you like him too?"

She looks down and smiles at him replying "Yes I do."