Disclaimer:Don't own them and don't write for them ... for which they are greatful!

Chapter 23 ... I had to bring Big Jim Back and Lewis of course. Let me know what you think ...

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Using Up Those Nine Lives

Alex made a beeline back up to Bobby's floor. At the same time, security was dragging Richard Addleson down to meet NYPD. She was too consumed with fear to realize what was going on. Her signature, at this point, was no longer necessary. Bobby had already signed all hospital forms needed in case anything like this came up. Alex was called because she was listed as his next of kin. When she arrived at ICU, his nurse, Cloe, was pacing in his room. She, like everyone else in the unit, had grown very fond of him … she blamed herself. He had overdone it and caused a tear internally. There was internal bleeding and shortness of breath due to the pain he was in, he stopped breathing momentarily due to the loss of blood. Once he was rushed to the surgical unit, they quickly assessed the problem and they were able to perform laser repair surgery. When Alex saw Cloe crying in Bobby's room, she thought the worse.

"Cloe? Please, please tell me that he's okay."

She wipes the tears away and gives Alex a small smile and a nod.

"They just called up. He'll be fine. There is a small tear in his intestines where they did the original surgery. They're repairing that tear with a laser. It's much less invasive. The Doctor said he'll be fine but it's a set back."

"Why were you crying Cloe?"

"It was my fault Detective. I never should have let that man stay. Detective Goren kept fidgeting and I'm sure that caused it."

"What man?"

"The man that he arrested."

Alex looked confused. How could Bobby arrest someone from his hospital bed. Did Big Jim come back and put on a show for Cloe and if so, she wouldn't be held responsible for the damage that she would inflict upon him. Cloe went out and handed her the tape recording.

"I was suppose to give this to the police officers but they never came up. I thought Detective Goren could give it to you. I'll leave you to it."

Alex pressed play and listened to the tape. It astonished her how, even in pain recovering from a gunshot wound and emergency surgery, Bobby was able to once again, trick a confession out of suspect. She knew he did it for her. It was her brother that he was thinking about, not the pain that he was in, the pain she was in. Everyday she thought, I can't love this man more … but everyday she found reasons to.

John Eames had called Captain Ross and told him about Scoop and Alex and what went down with the Limo driver. Ross told John about Richard Addleson and what went down in Bobby's room. Ross hadn't gotten the news that Goren was rushed back into surgery, he was on his way back to the hospital.

John Eames joined Alex and listened to the tape. She refused to leave the hospital so it was up to the elder Eames and Scoop to find Jack if Ross would allow it. Doubtful, but it was worth a shot. When Ross showed up at the hospital, he too, listened to the tape. Alex didn't really talk to him but she was civil. They once again found themselves in the family room awaiting news on Goren's condition. Lewis and Big Jim came by to see Bobby and discovered that he had been rushed into surgery. They joined the others in the family room where Ross and John Eames had been discussing their next move in finding Jack.

"Jack Eames? Are you guys talking about John Jr.?"

"Ah, yeah Jim … what do you know about Jack?"

"He's my son … who are you?"

"John Sr.? Holy shit … how the hell are ya Sir? I'm Junior's friend from the Harley club. Big Jim Callahan, Sir. It's a pleasure to finally meet the man that gave JJ his sense of humor … that kid's a funny shit. He must be full of the Irish right now though."

"What, what do you mean?"

"Lewis and I just saw him … he can barely stand up. When I called him he ducked into an alley way."

"WHERE!?"

"Shit man … on the corner of 58th and Main."

Eames, Eames and Ross went running out of the door. Alex ran back in. Out of breath and so quickly, Lewis and Jim could hardly understand her …

"Look, guys … my brother has been missing for days now, I have to go. Lewis take my cell phone and give me yours."

Lewis looked confused but does as she says.

"Okay, she's running down the hall, yelling back, call your cell phone the second you get news on Bobby!"

Jim and Lewis settled in like the family room was home. Feet up on the "coffee table" and arms stretched back watching the TV provided for anxious family members. They didn't seem anxious.

"Hey Jim, we should have brought cards."

"We didn't know he was in surgery again."

"Oh yeah."

"This is getting old with him. It's like the boy who cried wolf."

"Would you rather him be dead Jim?"

"No, that's not what I mean. Lately, he's a drama queen."

As Big Jim sinks into the couch even more, Lewis hurls a magazine at him.

"Ooh, thanks. National Geo … naked people!"

"You're a fuckin idiot!"

"What? I love the guy but he needs to get a life man. HEY! We should arrange a trip for him and his little Robin … a romantic trip, when he gets out of here."

"His little Robin? Now you're callin Detective Alex a bird?"

"No … Batman and Robin."

"You want to die young, don't you?"

Eames, Eames and Ross have now hooked up with Scoop and they all spread out in the vicinity of 58th and Main. There are a lot of alley ways to look through and a lot of hiding spots. Ross called in local law enforcement to help canvas the area but it was Scoop that found Jack.

"OFFICER DOWN! CALL EMS, NOW!"

Jack had tucked himself behind a dumpster near a local eatery. He was bleeding, dehydrated and disoriented. He was in between the conscious and unconscious world. Alex and John were close by when they heard Scoop's baritone voice yelling for EMS. They went running towards his voice. Scoop was holding onto Jack and had wrapped his jacket around him. However he got there, they were now indebted to Big Jim for spotting him, Jack would not have survived the night. He was taken to the same hospital that Bobby was in, as they wheeled him through the ER … Alex's … Lewis's phone rang. It was Lewis with a report on Bobby.

"Lewis! How is he?"

"He's pregnant. They're not sure if the baby is yours or Big Jim's but when he delivers … he gets Disneyland!"

Alex slams the phone shut and tears flow down her face.

"Lex? Is Bobby okay?"

"Yup, more tears flow, but when I get my hands on Lewis … Dad, when Bobby and Jack are out of the woods, can I come home for a few days and sleep in my old bedroom?"

"Of course honey but why?"

"I just want to be a little girl again … if only for a few days."

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I thought I'd bring some humor back ... hope it worked. Reviews could let me know. Bad ones are helpful too. Don't be shy. Thanks for reading ... Judeey:)