A/N: Here's the cast I envisioned for this story. :)

Cast: Okoye Noble (played by Danai Gurira), David Noble (played by Jason George), 17 year old Calvin Ray "Ray-Ray" Noble (played by Shad "Bow Wow" Moss), Sam Chuck Simpson (played by Bruce Campbell), Ms. Annie (played by Sharon Gless)

Also, Dr. April Sexton is borrowed from Chicago MED.

Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, songs, and other copyright material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual. In short, I own nothing!

Chapter 2:

Death is not an option

The lobby of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital was quite full of police officers. In the middle of this anxious ordeal was Juliet, Shawn, Gus, Henry, and Chief Vick. Everyone was worried about their brother in arms.

Lassiter's condition was quite critical as the doctors rushed him in with a loud "Cold Blue!"

As Lassiter's medical proxy, Juliet had to fill out medical paperwork. Once she was done though, the adrenaline that kept her emotions up and professional came crashing down. "Hey Jules...it's going to be ok..." Shawn said comfortingly.

"I can't lose him..."

"Hey honey, Lassiter's the toughest and most stubborn man I know. He's going to pull through," Henry said.

Juliet didn't feel much better but she smile through her tears. "He is the most stubborn man, isn't he?"

By this point Gus started to cry. Both his sympathetic tears and his genuinely concerned tears. In his heart, Gus prayed both a thank you that Lassiter saved Shawn's life but also a prayer to save the head detective's life. As much as Lassiter barked and scared the living crap out of both Shawn and himself. Gus always knew that deep, deep down Lassiter was a good man. So for Lassiter's sake, he sucked up the tears and asked, "Juliet is there anything you need us to do? Is there any calls I can make for you?"

Juliet smiles at him, knowing this was a big thing for Gus to stop his sympathetic tears to help. "No Gus but thanks. Chief already called his mother. But she didn't pick up. I already called his sister Lulu. She's out of town but she's going to catch a plane here tomorrow. Hank and Ms. Annie will be here later tonight."

Gus simply nodded as they all went back to an anxious but comforting silence.

Over the next few hours, more people filled into the room waiting for any news about Lassiter. Most were officers, but there were now a few more civilians as well. Such as Hank and Ms. Annie, Francine McNab, former Chief John Fenich, Okoye and David Noble and their 17 year old son Calvin Ray "Ray-Ray" Noble, and finally former FBI special agent Samuel Charles "Chuck" Simpson.

While everyone was still waiting, people started talking-albeit quietly-amongst each other. Juliet not up for talking just sat and listened to a few conversations. She overheard Chuck talking with Henry about his time with Lassiter in the Army Rangers. She overheard Chief talking with John Fenich. Juliet overheard Shawn and Gus talking with Woody. Juliet overheard Hank and Annie talking with Okoye and David.

But eventually she felt a tap on her shoulder. Juliet turned around saw Calvin handing her some water. Although not thirsty, the detective graciously accepted then gestured the teen to sit next to her. "How ya doin' Detective O'Hara?"

Juliet simply shrugged and shook her head. "How about you... Calvin?"

"Call me Ray-Ray ma'am. And fo real...not so good." Juliet nodded in understanding. Then she asked, "How do you all know Carlton?"

"He's my godfather. I call him Uncle C. He and my folks knew each other in college."

"That's pretty cool..."

"Yeah it is...me and Uncle C will do all sort of fun stuff. When he's not working anyway. But even then, no matter how dead tired he is he always makes time to hangout with me or help me. My folks are the same way! No matter how tired they are they sit-up and listen. I got friends at school who don't have that kinda family. So I really appreciate and love 'em."

"That's very insightful Ray-Ray. Do you know what you wanna do once you grow up?"

"I wanna be a marine biologist like my pops. He and Uncle C thinks it's great! My ma, naw man she's not really excited about it, but she's coming around though." Juliet smiled at the teen. But then he asked, "Detective O'Hara...is Uncle C gonna be alright?" Before she could come up with any sort of comforting answer, the doctor finally came into the waiting room.

"Umm family for Detective Lassiter?" If the situation had been any less than dire, it would have comical as everyone in the room stood up simultaneously. Then Juliet stepped forward from the fray and said, "I'm Carlton's partner and his medical proxy."

"Okay, well I'm Dr. April Sexton, Detective Lassiter's primary. Look I'm going to be frank...he's currently in the ICU recovery room and we've got him stable. But, and this major, we have to monitor him throughout the night. And this point it's still a very touch and go situation."

"Doc...is he going to be alright?" asked Shawn. Hospitals were not his thing but somehow he felt responsible for this mess and would never want anything to happen to the Head Detective.

"While there are no guarantees please take heart that Detective Lassiter is an extremely strong man." Juliet nodded gratefully but still not relieved until she could see her partner.

"Doctor what were the extent of his injuries?" asked the chief.

"Well, as you know Detective Lassiter was severely electrocuted. If Detective Lassiter makes is through the night, we're going to have to still wait and see if there was any nerve damage or brain damage due to the electrocution. And in addition to that, he lost a lot of blood from those two containers falling on top of him. The main source to his blood loss was a single thin but lethal shard of glass shoved deep into his abdomen. Which is why he needed immediate surgery. During the surgery, we lost him twice on the operating table but thankfully we were able to revive him." After the initial gasp, the crowd dissolved slightly with a sense of relief.

"Excuse me doctor," said Henry as he wafted through the crowd to the front and asked, "Do you have any idea as of yet what were in those containers, doctor?" asked Henry.

"Unfortunately the tests aren't back as of yet."

"Can we see him?" asked Juliet.

"Unfortunately visiting hours are over; however, there's an ICU waiting area for close family and friends. If you'd like I can have someone set up a few of you there."

"Yes!" A handful of them said all at once. With that the doctor left to make such accommodations. Thus, leaving the enormous group to breathe just a little bit better.

Unbeknownst to the group, upstairs in the ICU recovery room thirty minutes later, was at first a normal sight for this part of the hospital. A patient was simply laying in the hard hospital bed. Seemingly resting under the heavily prescribed medication. But that's where the normalcy ends. Because suddenly, even though the man wasn't awake Lassiter's eyes popped open. Those very eyes were glowing bright red. The red covered the entirety of the iris and sclera. As the red eyes shone through the dark room, his injuries started to heal and close. Just as suddenly as they opened the eyes closed again. No sooner did that happen a night nurse came in and left again after checking on his medication.

TBC