Chapter 34

We walked to the elevator and stepped in before the door closed. Michael Hoyt came in. I was surprised to see him as was CJ. He acknowledged us and I asked what he was doing here.

"Houston, have you seen the media circus up front? The hospital wants to ensure that their patients and staff are safe and they also want to speak to me regarding the little guy. How is he? You just skimmed over what happened yesterday and you forgot to tell me about his surgery so what's going on and where are you off to."

While he was at the office I had told him about what was going on with the footage but never got around to tell him about Jake and our scare this morning and how much better he was doing. I said we were going to talk to the administrators and other personnel regarding the leak and our part in bringing them the information hoping they wouldn't think we were the leak.

Hoyt nodded, "Okay so I'll be coming along for support and to back you two up, we will be given access to the footage also correct? Roy said you had lots of hours to go through and I can have a couple of detectives help out. We will give you what we found out when we canvas the pier and also the surrounding area."

I smiled and told him we would welcome the help. This was going to get sticky. If I said yes then Star couldn't help out as much as I wanted her to. She was still considered a runaway and if Michael found out he would have to bring her in he was legally obligated to. But having his help might help us find Jake's mom quicker.

CJ had not said a word since we left Jake. She was looking down and a silent CJ was worse than a crying CJ.I put my arm around her as we got closer to the top floor. She stiffened and I looked down and whispered in her ear if she was okay. She just nodded but didn't answer, I pulled her chin up to get a better look at her face and she tried to look away but I wouldn't let her.

She had no expression like she was there physically but not mentally. She started to shiver and I pulled her closer and she leaned in trying to get my warmth to stop her from shaking. I was about to ask her if she needed a minute before we went in to talk to the hospital administration when the doors opened and she bolted.

The security guards were taken by surprise and I called out as she looked both ways till she found what she was looking for. She ran into the ladies room and I waited outside asking the guards if she could have a minute and if one of them could get her a glass of water. They waited and I told them we would not leave. One stayed by the elevator while the other went to get the glass of water for CJ. It sounded like she was losing her lunch and I leaned my head back against the wall next to the restroom. Hoyt came to stand next to me and asked what was wrong with CJ.

"This whole thing has taken a toll on her. We don't know if they will let us continue helping Jake out, with the media circus outside and bring them unwanted publicity. Oh not to mention the leak was someone I dated and who is always in the crossfire? CJ. Thanks to my past it probably won't be the last time this happens. Maybe I should just step back and leave her alone. She should have a guy that his past won't come to rear its ugly head and hurt her, that's what it seems I've been doing these last couple of days. I'm surprised she hasn't left me a long time ago. I'm more of a hindrance than help."

Hoyt put his hands on his hips, "Are you through wallowing in the Houston guilt? Because she needs you to step up and be the friend she needs right now. She doesn't need to hear your pity party. I know it's been rough for both of you. You need to reign it in, you can't unleash on her like you did the other day. I've never seen you that angry at her. That's why I stepped in. She means a lot to me as do you and the rest of your family. You've been there for me on more than one occasion and now it's time that I help out. So let's figure out how we come out of this with us getting everything we want."

I shook my head, "I'm glad we became friends because I know there are times you would like nothing better than to have me locked up and throw away the key. Thanks I needed to hear that you're right I need to stop and deal with what's at hand and keep an eye on CJ. She is the priority right now and we will deal with the inquisition together."

Hoyt mumbled his favorite line about lightning rods and PI's and I smiled.

The guard came and gave me the glass of water and I knocked on the restroom door. There was no answer. I looked at Hoyt and motioned for me to go in, opened the door and called out that I was coming in. I closed my eyes and called out that I was in the women's restroom and if anyone other than CJ Parsons was in there to call out.

No one did, I opened my eyes and looked for CJ. She was over the sink holding onto the sides and had her eyes closed. I grabbed some paper towels and wet a couple of them. I went over to her and stood beside her.

She leaned her head onto my shoulder and whispered she was sorry she didn't answer me. She wasn't feeling well, her stomach was in knots and she really didn't want to go into that meeting.

I asked her why not we were going in together and we would present our side and we had done nothing wrong.

She snorted, "I'm sorry, I just lost my lunch. My stomach is doing flip flops and I can't stop feeling so anxious, my breathing exercises aren't helping and I feel like I want to scream but what good will it do? It doesn't matter they are going to find a way to stop us from taking care of Jake. I know it, I feel it in my bones. It's the other shoe finally dropping, I should have known this would happen. Nothing is ever easy for me and when I want something it usually doesn't go as planned. It's the cards life always deals me. The only thing that hasn't ever failed me is you and your family but I'm always wondering when fate will take you away from me." The last was said in a whisper.

I put my arm around her. 'I'm not going anywhere neither are any of us. We will always be a part of you CJ and if you could find it in your heart to forgive me for bringing all this down on you if it wasn't…"

She put a finger to my lips and shook her head. "Nothing to apologize for, you can't help that you're charming, good looking and the women you dated can't get over you. I've known this for years. It comes with being your best friend. So nothing to apologize to me for okay."

I handed her the glass of water. "You are letting me off easy, you have every right to be angry. I wouldn't blame you and I'm sorry you are feeling this way. I know you don't like surprises.

She looked at me and tried to smile, "I don't like to feel like I have no control and this is what I've felt these last couple of months. I'm trying to get back to normal but I don't think that exists anymore for me. My life has changed and I need to adapt to the new changes and it's been hard. I'm sorry I'm not the cool collected CJ that you've come to depend on all these years, but I really think she's gone and you're stuck with this."

She sipped some and still wasn't here with me. She was trying to detach herself, it was her way of heading off the hurt before it really affected her.

I pulled her into my arms, "No one expects you to go back to normal after all that's gone on in your life. If it didn't affect you then I'd be more concerned. You're right, there is no normal any longer for us and we will adapt to these changes. Change is good and one change is going to be us. Not this minute but I need you to remember what we decided and once the dust settles be prepared to be courted. Come let's go face the firing squad."

There was a knock on the door, "Houston the guards are getting restless are you two okay?"

Maureen walked in. "Hey sis are you feeling okay? I heard you bolted in here and I can only guess you lost your lunch. CJ you haven't changed since school you always throw up before a big presentation and I'm just surprised you still get those butterflies in your stomach. Come on, I'm right here beside you and I've got them to sit with both of you. They need to see what I see that you two are good people and we had nothing to do with the circus outside. My friend from the office couldn't make it but if we need to use his services he's already volunteered to help out. He saw the interview and thought you did an excellent job and wants to help out. So come on no more hiding, we need to present a united front and I know they will see that you are the best thing for that Jake."

She hadn't answered Maureen, she didn't move from my embrace. I looked at Maureen and she shrugged her shoulders.

"CJ if you need some more time let me know I'll go out and stall for you."

She shook her head pulled away from me and looked at herself in the mirror, "I look as bad as I feel. I'm trying not to cry but at the same time I'm so angry I want to punch something. Thanks for being here sis, knowing I have you and Houston in my corner is giving me some hope. But, Houston, they have the ability to take Jake away from us, it's just not fair."

"We will present our side. I'm sure they will be reasonable and hear us out. I've softened them up since I've gotten here, so it's the head administrator of the Hospital, one of their lawyers and the CMO of the Pediatrics Unit. I think you met Dr. Randall. He says he was the one that performed Jake's surgery this morning and a child advocate/social worker that is here representing Jake's interest."

She nodded and took my hand and we started to walk out. Hoyt was there as were 2 more guards. I took a defensive stance and Hoyt said it was okay that they had been chatting about how they could get the media to step away from the entrances if they are hindering the ability for patients to come in and how he would help by bringing in his people to assist.

"Okay ladies lets go face the music together".