Brother's Keeper: Ch. 13

By: The Confused One

A/N: Here's the next chapter. It's nothing too exciting, and I hope it doesn't completely disappoint. Things are really going to pick up again in the next chapter. Please enjoy and remember to review. Thanks.

Everyone's attention was immediately on Alex. Getting up, Lewis suggested, "I'll…get a nurse."

Alex nodded. "Thank you, Lewis." Focusing on Bobby, she squeezed his hand. Relief flooded her. He was waking up. "Come on, Bobby. That's it. It's time to open your eyes."

Bobby groaned almost inaudibly. His eyes fluttered open. He closed them again, against the brightness of the light. Turning his head away, he opened them again. As they began to focus, he became conscious of the pain he felt everywhere, but he also became aware of the voices. He recognized Alex's voice. Focusing on her, he relaxed a little. He was completely confused and felt completely disoriented. He moved to speak, but even he realized it came out as muffled garbage.

Alex shook her head. She could tell that he was starting to get agitated. "Bobby, it's OK. You're in the hospital. You had some visitors this morning. They broke your jaw. It's wired shut. You fell through your table, and you have stitches everywhere. Your lung started collapsing. There's a tube in there now, keeping it from doing that. Do you remember this morning?"

As she talked it started to come back to him. Relaxing again, he was relieved to see that she was safe. That's what mattered to him at this point. He nodded slowly.

Finally able to focus enough, he scanned the room. Seeing the other relieved faces in the room, he suddenly became very aware of his hand in Alex's. Worried, he looked down at their hands.

Watching him, Alex shook her head. "It's OK. They all know. Just relax. Take it easy. Lewis went to get a nurse."

Bobby looked up at her. He was beyond grateful to see her, to have her. He studied her face. He wasn't quite sure what he was looking for.

Alex nodded. He didn't know what he was looking for, but Alex did. She spoke quietly, "I'm fine, Bobby. I didn't even see them, and yes, we're OK. I don't blame you, and I'm not going anywhere." Seeing the questioning look in his eyes, she explained, "I told them everything. They needed to know. We'll talk more about it later."

Before Bobby could respond, Lewis and the nurse walked in. She set about checking Bobby over. Seeing he was in pain, she injected some pain medication into his IV. She explained, "He'll probably be out in just a few minutes, and he should stay asleep all night."

Alex nodded, accepting this. "Thank you." She watched the nurse leave the room. Relieved, she turned her attention back to Bobby. Sitting back down, she assured him, "It's alright. Go ahead and go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

Bobby shook his head. He was sure he needed to do this before he went to sleep. He managed to say, "Paper…"

Deakins asked, "What?"

Alex explained, "He wants paper and a pen." Seeing Lewis looking for a pen and some paper, she turned her attention back to Bobby. "Bobby, I don't understand…"

Lewis handed him the paper and pen. "Here you go, Bobby."

Despite his condition, Bobby weakly wrote: You'll need this. 3 men. Jumped me at my door. Never gave any names. The leader was six feet, brown eyes, blonde hair, and crew cut. Five feet and ten inches, brown eyes, and brown hair. Six feet and two inches, green eyes, and brown hair.

Alex sighed. Always thinking like a cop. She took it and handed it to Mike. "You didn't need to do that yet, but you're right. They need it."

Looking it over, Mike ventured, "Any distinguishing marks?"

Bobby shook his head no.

Alex nodded. She put her hand on his arm. She assured him, "That's OK. That's enough for now. Close your eyes and go to sleep."

Bobby swallowed hard. Meeting her eyes for a moment, he relented. Closing his eyes, he sighed. He was out in seconds.

Alex closed her eyes. She was just so grateful to see his eyes again, to hear his voice at all. He was going to be OK. That was what mattered to Alex. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair to get comfortable. She wasn't planning to move for the rest of the night.

Mike looked over the piece of paper again. Looking at Deakins, he explained, "We're going to check in and give them this."

Deakins nodded. "Go ahead."

Turning to look at them, Alex called after them. "Mike, Carolyn…" When they stopped, she smiled. "Really, thank you."

Carolyn smiled. She nodded. "Your welcome."

Watching them leave, Alex sighed again. She moved, trying to get comfortable. She hated hospital chairs.

Lewis exchanged a look with Deakins. He cautiously ventured, "Alex, the nurse said he's going to be out all night. Are you really going to stay?"

Alex nodded. "Of course I am. I'm not leaving him alone."

Deakins had suspected as much. He sighed. There was no way anyone was making her leave for the night. She was still too worried. He'd just have to try to get her to go home and get some real sleep tomorrow. He'd have better luck. "OK. I'll come by in the morning."

Alex nodded. She looked up at Deakins. "Thank you, Captain." After watching Deakins leave, she turned to Lewis. "You don't have to stay, Lewis. We'll be fine. I just have to stay with him."

Lewis smiled. "You kicking me out?"

Alex smiled back. She shook her head. "No. I just know you have better things to do then watch him breathe."

Lewis pointed out, "So do you."

Alex shook her head. "No, I don't. I almost lost him today. I'm just so grateful that he's still here with me."

Lewis nodded in understanding. He put his hand on her arm. "I'm glad you got him to talk to you. I kept telling him you wouldn't blame him, but he blames himself, so he couldn't see that."

Alex sighed. Watching Bobby, she nodded. "He thinks he's responsible for the whole world."

Lewis nodded. "He really does." Lewis sighed. "I guess I'll get out of your hair." Removing his hand, he assured her, "He's going to be OK, Alex, and I'll call in the morning."

Alex nodded. "Thanks, Lewis. Night." Watching him leave, she turned back to Bobby. She sighed. "You have no idea how badly you scared me today. I love you so much." She curled up on the chair and watched him. Her eyes finally slid shut, and she slept restlessly.