Title: Fragile
author:Cindy RRyan
notes:see part one

"We have a two hundred year old medical examiner."Mike said numbly as they gathered in Henry's hotel room in Manhattan.

"You're Henry's son."Jo stated echoing Abe's explaination a few minutes previous.

"Adopted."Henry amended having changed into dry clothes though his hair was still wet.

"You've been married."Jo theroized as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Couple times."Henry replied as he stood by the window.

"So you can't be killed."Mike commented as he paced. "I'm guessing you don't age either?"

"No."Henry stated quietly. "I don't stay in one place after a certain time."

Jo stood the room starting to feel slightly claustrophobic. Her thoughts were still spinning but the shock was wearing off.

"So this person that's threatening to expose you..."Jo began trying to gather her thoughts. "How did he find out your secret?"

"He's immortal also; much older."Abe interjected quietly. "Thousands of years old."

"Thousands?"Mike repeated as he shook his head. "If I weren't standing here listening to this...Doc, it sounds like a bad movie."

"Try living it."Henry commented with a grimace.

"Wait..."Jo said as she rubbed a hand against her forehead. "If he's the same as you wouldn't he be gaining the same trouble by exposing you to the world?"

"Did I mention he's not entirely sane?"Henry added weakly.

"Oh good."Mike grumbled sarcasticly. "Not only a thousand plus years old but crazy too. Day keeps getting better."

"So he's the one that attacked me?"Jo inquired as she sat back down feeling a bit dizzy.

"Yes."Henry replied grimly. "I'm sorry, Jo. I never wanted to endanger anyone."

"But he was trying to get to you."Hanson theorized. "Knew your connection to Jo..."

"After he realized burning down my shop wasn't going to get the reaction he wanted."Abe finished with a sigh.

"What's are next move?"Jo asked quietly.

"You're going home and getting some rest."Henry instructed firmly.

"After this?"Jo exclaimed "Not a chance."

"Jo..."Henry protested.

"No."Jo argued. "We'll come up with a plan and we'll end this so things can..."

"Don't."Hanson cut in as he ran a hand through his dark hair. "Don't say normal. Nothing will be normal."

"He's right."Henry agreed. "Now that you know my secret..."

"No, I know nothing will be as it was."Jo said softly. "But I know the NYPD keeps people safe and that's what we're going to do with this. We're protecting the city and the best medical examiner it's ever had."

Henry smiled.


Hours later Mike Hanson was still trying to comprehend the events of the day. Henry and Abe had shown him photographs which had helped. Still as they sat eating a late dinner of takeout pizza Mike was still amazed by the turn of events. He'd watched Henry die. Had seen and heard the gunshot. Then had unbelievably watched as his body had vanished. Now the immortal was sitting across the small table from him munching on a piece of sausage pizza. Mike shook his head and ran a hand over his face. He looked down at his own plate the the half eaten slice of pizza. His stomach was too much in knots to have any kind of an appetite.

"I have an idea."Jo began drawing everyone's attenton. "Might be quicker than anything else we've talked about."

"What is it?"Henry inquired softly.

"He went after me once."Jo stated her eyes locking with Henry's. "Use me as bait."

Mike swore and shoved his plate towards the center of the table. To his credit Henry seemed to have the same angry expression mirrored on his face.

"No way in hell, Jo."Mike stated angrily

"We'll be ready this time."Jo countered equally passionate.

"I have to agree with your partner, Jo."Henry said with a shake of his head. "We'll find another way."

"So far we haven't."Jo argued. "We're running out of time and options, Henry, and you know it."

"I think the lady has a point."Abe commented quietly.

Mike sighed as he looked around the table. Stalemate; two to two.


"Henry, can I talk to you a moment?"Jo asked as she stood. "In private?"

"Of course."Henry said as he rose to his feet.

Jo glanced around and then headed for the hotel room door. The hallway wouldn't be private, but it was the best option she had. She stepped out into the corridor and knew Henry was close behind. He shut the door and Jo spotted an alcove a few feet from the stairs that had the vending machines. They walked the short distance in silence and stepped into the small space.

"I didn't have a chance to tell you."Jo began. "Lucas found your unfinished letter and gave it to me."

"Oh."Henry replied as he leaned back against the chips and candy machine. "I'm sorry...I..."

Jo reached forward and took Henry's right hand in hers.

"No, I'm glad he did and now I get to say that your friendship means a lot to me too."Jo said quietly.

Henry's fingers tightened around hers and Jo felt her heart leap.

"Let me do this."Jo insisted.

"Jo,"Henry began with a sad shake of his head. "Hearing you were seriously hurt and knowing it was most likely because of me...I can't go through that again..."

"In the car with Dunn..."Jo said trying a different angle. "I trusted you."

"Jo..."Henry started.

Jo squeezed his hand.

"After Sean died all I had left was the NYPD and my job."Jo continued softly. "They're my family and so are you. Let me help you. I know it'll work."

Henry opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. Jo saw him glance down at their joined hands.

"I trusted you."Jo repeated. "Take a chance and trust me."


Henry so wanted to believe Jo. He wanted to trust that her idea would work. That they would be ready and prepared this time for whatever possibility Adam could throw at them. Abe had insisted all along that Jo could handle his secret. She'd proven him right by still being there; still talking to Henry instead of running screaming into the night.

Still Henry remembered the fear he'd felt when he'd seen the news article of her attack. Recalled the guilt when he'd seen the haunted expression on Mike Hanson's face days later. Jo's idea was almost playing right into Adam's hands. To protect her from the immortal Henry would have to put her in more danger. Then again Jo was right, they didn't have many other ideas that held merit.

"I want you to be honest with me."Henry began as he met Jo's gaze. "Are you truly up for this? You were just released from the hospital..."

Jo's fingers closed around Henry's and he felt a rush of warmth sweep through him. Not since Abigail had he let anyone close...

"I'm well enough to play bait."Jo confirmed with a smile.

"I still don't like this."Henry said softly allowing his free hand to touch Jo's right cheek. "He knows I care about you..."

"Then it's the perfect bait."Jo reasoned.

With a long sigh Henry nodded.

"Alright."The immortal agreed. "But we take every precaution."

Jo smiled and squeezed Henry's hand once more before letting go. Together they walked back to his room to tell the others.