Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

Henry had known what a huge gamble it was going to the station. He could've found out about Jo's condition from the hospital. He had enough contacts there from his years at the M.E office. Still he'd stepped into the familiar squad room. Now the consequences of that action were about to be dealt with as Henry heard Mike call his name.

During the flight back to New York City Henry had wrestled with how much to tell. Abe had suggested Jo could handle the truth of his situation. Henry suspected his son was right. However her partner was another story. Mike Hanson was as good as they came. Once you had his friendship he'd back you no matter what. Henry had dashed that friendship by leaving abruptly. If Mike had tried to connect Jo's stabbing to the arson at Abe's shop the detective might have started digging into Henry's past; or lack there of. Which brought Henry full circle...how much to tell?

"Let's get a coffee."Mike said in a voice that made it clear it wasn't a suggestion.

"Alright."Henry relented as they walked two blocks to a nearby coffee house.

The snow from the noreaster had stopped earlier that day. However the wind and the cold had not so even in that short of a walk Henry was grateful for the warmth of the coffee house. Once they'd gotten their coffee they found a back booth. Sitting down Henry waited for the onslaught of questions.

"You should know Lucas found the letter and gave it to Jo."Mike began as he took a sip of coffee.

Henry sighed and turned the paper to go coffee cup around in his hands.

"It wasn't intended to be read."Henry said finally.

"Yeah, she got that part."Mike stated quietly.

Henry glanced out the window trying to formulate a plan. Trying to figure out what to say. Mike had a family he didn't want to pull the detective any farther into this mess than he had to. Yet...

"Henry, what the hell is going on?"Mike demanded anger creeping into his voice. "The stabbing wasn't random, was it?"

"No."Henry said with a long sigh. "It was what I was trying to prevent."

"Who's after you?"Hanson prompted.

Henry glanced out the window once more. He and Abe had tried to come up with a believable story for Adam coming after him. Ten years ago Henry had assisted in solving a case that put away some relative of Adam's...Henry had discovered Adam was an art forger...nothing had seemed right.

"I did some digging."Mike began after setting aside the nearly untouched coffee. "Lt. Reece wanted to know if the arson and Jo's attack were connected. We knew you were the most obvious link. Henry; you just appeared six years ago when you started at the M.E's office. Before that there's nothing; and trust me I looked. I checked with the two police departments you had listed on your resume one was so small town it didn't have a coroner's office and the other never heard of you."

Henry was tempted to try the partial truth. Then again he knew how good a detective Hanson was.

"It is true that some of what is on my resume is stretched."Henry conceded quietly. "But it's for good reason."

Looking out the window once more Henry froze. He thought he saw an all too familiar profile; a familiar hat. It probably wasn't Adam but Henry couldn't take the risk not with Mike's life.

"What's in your past that you're running from?"Mike inquired.

Henry stood hating the way this was ending. It wouldn't shake Mike from the investigation.

But perhaps he could draw Adam away and refocus the immortal's attention.

"I'm sorry; I have to go."Henry said quietly. "Tell Jo I'm sorry."

"Doc."Mike protested.

However, Henry had already stepped into the crowd and was out the door.


In their hotel room Abe set out the take out dinner on the small table. Henry stood staring out the window at the snow flurries that had started. His father had barely said more than a handful of sentances since he'd returned nearly two hours before. With a sigh Abe sat down and pulled a plastic tray of pasta towards him and took the lid off.

"Even immortals need to eat."Abe suggested quietly.

After a long moment Henry sat down at the table. Abe pushed another covered tray of food towards him and the M.E reluctantly opened it and picked up a fork.

"I told Detective Hanson I was staying."Henry said tensely as he half heartedly took a bite of food.

"But you're second guessing yourself."Abe finished.

"Because I'm putting a target on myself and everyone around me including you!"Henry exclaimed as he tossed down the fork.

"They're trained professionals and I signed on for the risks long ago."Abe commented. "If you let people in they may surprise you."

"With what Adam has chosen to do he hasn't given me any choice but to trust them."Henry said tiredly."I just hope to God there isn't any more blood spilled."