AN: This story is really fun to write. My ideas are slowly falling into place as it builds. Let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts you have. Maybe you'll find them in the next few chapters(: Also, after a terrible day teaching, your wonderful reviews made me smile. I'm so thankful!

I feel slight pressure around my left hand which brings me slightly back toward reality. The pain covering my body is nearly overwhelming, and I am reminded of the doctors words as he told me about each wound I had sustained. I had only been conscious for a few moments that first time, but it was long enough to hear the list. The antiseptic smell of hospitals is enough to make me sick, and the noise of hospitals sends me back to a time I don't want to remember as I first became a widow.

The pressure around my hand changes slightly, and I slowly turn my head and open my eyes. I'm forced to squint against the harsh rays of light coming in through the window. I realize the pressure I feel is OA holding my hand. I curl my fingers gingerly around his hand, but it's too much. He opens his eyes, pulls his hand away looking almost awkward, and sets it in his lap.

He smiles. "How ya feeling?"

His voice is soft and contains rarely seen emotion. I smile back and realize how dry my mouth is. I attempt to clear my throat to ask for a cup, but he has read my mind and grabs a cool glass of water from the table next to my bed and hands it to me. I grab the glass with thanks, and take a long swig but nearly choke as I swallow.

"Careful," he says warning me, "you already have bruises forming around your throat. It looks like your attacker tried to choke you. It might be hard to drink."

I flinch at the word attacker and don't like that the word is associated to me and how I am now sitting in a hospital. He notices, of course, and his forehead creases slightly as he continues.

"I don't really know what else happened, other than you have a bad gash on your head. The doctor won't tell me anything because I'm not technically family." He shrugs his shoulders as if he doesn't understand the problem.

"Technically?" I choke out attempting, but failing, to tease.

He smiles at me briefly before telling me that the whole team is back to work looking for evidence, clues as to what happened and why.

He looks at me with question written in his eyes, and I know he wants me to tell him what happened, but not sure if he should ask yet. I hesitate, but just for a moment. What am I really worried about? He already knows I have been attacked. Hell, he had found me. I don't really have anything to hide.

"Well," I start, my voice rough, "when I was on the phone with you and realized the calls you received had come from my phone, I panicked. Instead of acting, I froze," I look down momentarily, full of embarrassment at being a FBI agent and still failing to keep myself safe. I shrug my shoulders and my eyes return to his.

"Mags," he says as he scoots his chair a little closer and puts a hand gently on my arm below the elbow. "Don't. Don't do that. It's not your fault and you know it. Your home is where you should safest. Anyone could react like that no matter the training they have."

He sounds sympathetic, yet honest, and I can't help but let it squish my doubts. I nod quickly and continue.

"I heard him take a step and swung around, but it was too late. His swing was powerful and fast, hitting me on the side of the head with something heavy, though I'm not sure what. I hit the ground hard. I could hear you on the phone, but then I passed out for a minute. I woke up briefly to a huge kick to the ribs which, by the way, caused a broken rib and a couple bad bruises. He then put his hands around my neck and started to choke me. I blacked out again and didn't come to until you were beside me..." I drift off aware he knows more about what happened next than I do.

"Do you remember anything else after that?" He asks pointedly.

I shake my head, "Not really. The worst part was the look on his face when he was strangling me. He just kept smiling, his eyes evil." There is a silence that deepens as he considers what I say. I watch him carefully knowing there is something more he wants to say.

"Maggie," He starts, pulling his chair a little closer once again, "this guy who attacked you, I think it was all a game to him." He pauses.

"What?" I ask confused.

"Well, when I first found you, I saw your gash on your head, but I wanted to check for other injuries. Your shirt was open a little, and I saw something."

I reach for the top of the hospital gown I'm wearing before I know what I'm doing, but he grabs my hand carefully and holds it where it is.

"Listen, that guy, that son-of-a..." his voice grew loud and sharp so he stops for just a moment to collect himself. "He wrote something on your chest."

His eyes are full of what looks like both pain and anger. I reach for my gown again with my other hand, and he releases the hand he was holding. I pull the gown away just enough for me to see the word written there. I feel my eyes go big and hear my gasp. Tears fill my eyes, though I refuse to let them fall. Blinking hard, I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Maggie. I wish I would have gotten there sooner. When I saw you on the floor, I was sure I was too late. Then I saw that, and I was so angry, but I am just so relieved you are ok. The paramedics arrived shortly after me and brought you here. I didn't tell Jubal about the writing because I wanted to make sure you knew before he and the rest of the team did," he looks truly sorry and I'm not sure why, not sure what he feels responsible for. There is nothing more he could have done. "I should tell them now, though," he adds.

Before I could stop it, I blurt, "thank you."

"Of course, Maggie. I'm really am just glad you're okay. Anything you need, I'm here for you. And, we'll get this guy. Really."

His sincerity and both of our openness throughout the whole conversation is surprising to me, and to him also, I think. I just nod and try my best, yet fail, to cover the grimace at the pain from the simple movement.

"I'm going to get a nurse," OA says quickly. "To help with the pain."

He was gone before I could respond, and I am glad. I am actually in a lot of pain, more than I would ever admit, and am completely exhausted. A nurse returns with OA right behind her. She uses a syringe to add some pain meds to my IV. She asks me a few questions and then leaves.

"Are you-?" I start to ask but he starts talking at the same time.

"I'm going to stay here with you for now, if that's okay?"

I smile, my eyes already heavy, and I'm fighting sleep. All I can do is nod before I'm back to a deep and empty sleep.

BREAK~

It was easier than expected getting into the male agent's home. He didn't even lock the door behind him in his hurry to chase after his partner, so I just go right in. I learn his name, Omar Adom Zidan. I dig through some things trying to learn more about him, figure out what will get him, but there's not much to find. He had few pictures, and his apartment is pretty plain. I do know one thing: Maggie sure means a lot to him. That will help. I need to figure out a plan, a means to an end. The longer I'm there, seeing his life, the more my plan falls into place. But first, I'm going to need some help.

AN: this chapter was hard. I hope I kept them in character enough to be realistic with what we've seen so far of the show, but leave it open for further development of their partnership at the same time. I hope that makes sense... also, it's hard to write Maggie as a victim because she is so strong, yet has a very compassionate and emotional side to her. Please let me know what you think!