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

Jo Martinez leaned heavily on Mike as they reached the front door of her townhouse. Her back and left side felt like they were on fire. She was grateful when Mike took her keys and opened the door pushing it in. As she stepped inside Jo was never more grateful to be home.

"Sofa or bedroom?"Mike asked quietly.

"Sofa."Jo replied as Mike kicked the door shut. "There's a full bath down here so I camp out for awhile. Blanket and pillow in the linen closet upstairs though."

"I'll get them."Mike offered.

Slowly Mike helped Jo to the sofa where she gingerly sat and then layed down. It'd been twenty-four hours since the doctors had cleared her from observation. A full seventy-two had passed since she'd been admitted. Jo watched as her partner went upstairs to find the spare blanket and pillow. Mike was a good man. It was times like this where Jo missed her husband terribly but she was grateful to have good friends like Mike Hanson.

"Thank you."Jo commented when Mike returned.

"What partners are for."Hanson replied with a grin as he placed the pillow behind her and the blanket over. "You want another pillow?"

"I'm okay; thanks."Jo replied tiredly.

"Alright."Mike acknowledged.

Jo watched as her partner took out his car keys but didn't make a move to leave. He shifted on his feet and palmed the keys to his other hand. He'd been quiet that morning; preoccupied.

"Mike, what is it?"Jo asked quietly.


Mike frowned at his partner's question. He hadn't told her Henry was back. With all she'd been through Mike hadn't wanted to upset Jo further. Still he knew Jo Martinez. Knew if she found out another way there'd be hell to pay for a long time to come. With a sigh Mike grabbed one of the dining room table chairs and pulled it over placing it near the front of the sofa and sat down.

"Henry's back."Mike replied without preamble. "Stopped by the station two days ago."

"What?!"Jo exclaimed as she started to sit up; little too quickly.

"Easy."Mike soothed as he placed a hand on her left shoulder easing her back down. "Don't pull your stitches."

"What did he say?"Jo demanded.

"Asked about you."Mike responded quietly. "Looked like hell too."

"How did he even know I was hurt?"Jo wondered as she leaned back against the pillow.

"There's more, Jo."Mike continued.

Jo glanced at her partner watching as he once more figeted with the car keys.

"After he showed up at the station I followed him."Mike explained. "Insisted we talk and we went to a nearby coffee shop. He didn't want to, but I insisted..."

"He's in trouble, isn't he?"Jo asked anxiously.

"He's spooked that's for sure."Mike agreed quietly. "We didn't finish our conversation. He saw something or someone outside and bolted. By the time I got to the sidewalk Doc was gone."

"What did he tell you?"Jo inquired.

"Not much but admitted that the digging I'd done was true some facts on his resume didn't add up."Mike stated with a sigh. "Police departments he said he worked for never heard of him. He's running from something in his past."

"Something that's found him."Jo surmised grimly. "My stabbing..."

"Yeah."Mike agreed running a hand through his dark hair. "I told our theory to Reece she agrees but told me to dig because we need more to connect the arson to your attack."

"Somebody's trying to get his attention."Jo added wincing as she moved.

"There's another thing you're not going to like."Mike commented meeting his partner's gaze.

"What?"Jo asked.

"Reece's upped patrols in your neighborhood."Mike explained grimly. "Also going to be a squad parked down the street."

"I can take..."Jo protested but Mike interrupted.

"Normally yes you can take care of yourself."Mike agreed as he stood pulling the blanket up over Jo. "But you'd barely go a round with a kitten right now and it'd beat you."

"Gee, thanks."Jo groused.

Mike crouched down so he was eye level. When he did Jo was struck by how pale he was and the dark circles under her friend's eyes. There was a haunted look that flashed across his face briefly and Jo knew he was remembering her attack.

"Jo, the bastard had nerve enough to stab you when I was five feet away."Mike stated in quiet anger. "In the parking garage of a police station. If he's willing to go that far a security system and a locked door won't stop him."

Jo nodded reaching over to cover Mike's right hand with hers and she squeezed it.

"I know."Jo agreed softly. "I'm just not used to being taken care of or needing to be."

"We'll figure this out."Mike promised as he stood untangling their hands. "Even if I have to track Henry down and lock him in a cell until he tells us what's going on."

"Thank you for bringing me home."Jo said a few minutes later as Mike turned to leave.

"Call if you need anything."Mike replied. "Get some rest."

After Mike left it was hours before sleep came. Jo's mind kept going over the mystery that was Henry Morgan. There had to be a way to help him; to bring him home for good.