Well you're all such wonderful reviewers that I decided to update now instead of later. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews. But I'd like to dedicate this to one of you in particular, Shadowmayne this one is for you hopefully it'll brighten up your bad day.


Caleb arrived at the hospital approximately twenty minutes after he got the phone call from Tyler and considering he lived an hour's drive away that was quite a feat. He ran into Pogue in reception. He assumed his friend had traveled at similar speeds to reach the hospital, likewise panicked by the frantic tone in Tyler's voice. So he dismissed the slightly sickened look on his friends face, unconciously storing it away in his mind for later. The pair hurried to the desk and patiently explained that no, this was not an emergency, that yes, they were here to visit their friend, that no, they didn't know what ward he was in. At this last revelation the bored looking nurse directed them to another desk where another gum popping nurse waited. In this way they were handed along until at last they came to a lovely, helpful woman, who Pogue looked at like she reminded him of someone, who said she could lead them to where Reid was. They ended up in fact back at the emergency room, which was where they had come in. Another bored looking nurse was manning the desk, which struck Caleb as lucky because by this point he was tired and annoyed and ready to give her a piece of his mind.

The woman pushed open doors of a nasty, bland, greyish colour and strode along the corridor talking to them over her shoulder as she led them through a warren of twists and turns.

"Interns." She jerked her head back at the doors, "Can't stand them. No help at all." Caleb grinned and she flashed him a charming smile.

"Mr Garwin, your…friend?" She half asked. Caleb nodded.

"He came in about half an hour ago in a pretty bad condition. The young man with him, Mr Simm?" Again Caleb nodded. "He wasn't doing so well either, really worried. I must admit he had me worried for a bit there too. Very touch and go there for a while. You wouldn't happen to know what happened would you?" This time both boys shook their heads, Pogue obviously making an effort to concentrate.

"Well anyway, your friend pulled him through, it was amazing." Caleb closed his eyes, he didn't...

"Almost like magic!" Caleb glanced at Pogue who was looking around uncomfortably and another thought struck him. This was the hospital Kate had been in after Chase attacked her, it probably brought back bad memories. The nurse followed Caleb's eyes and seemed to notice Pogue for the first time and her mouth opened briefly in shock. They walked the rest of the way through the twists and turns of the hospital hallways in silence and Caleb found the silence oppressive. He tried to count the turns they took but soon gave up.

Eventually they stopped in front of another door, indistinguishable from the rest of the doors along the hallway. It was a mystery to Caleb how the nurse knew which door to stop beside. He briefly entertained the thought that the hospital was really some kind of super computer and she was just a hologram. But he quickly dismissed it. His life couldn't be a fantasy story and a sci-fi movie, it just wouldn't be right. The nurse glanced nervously at Pogue. Caleb raised his eyebrows. She didn't seem to notice and suddenly a mouthful of words spilled out of her mouth all in a rush.

"I'm very sorry for your loss Mr Parry." And apparently having said what she wanted to say she scurried off along the corridor. He looked at Pogue, but the thunderous expression on his friends face as he stormed off after her told him it probably wasn't a good time to hunt him down for a conversation on the strange things nurses pushed open the door insted. One chair sat beside Reid's bed and it was currently occupied by Tyler, who looked exhausted. Reid was awake and looking somewhat the worse for wear. Propped up on pillows and covered in bruises he nevertheless managed to smile cheekily up at Caleb as he sat down in the chair Tyler had vacated for him with an apprehensive glance.

"Didn't know you cared this much." Caleb frowned at his friend. Reid made a show of peering over his shoulder and a mock frown crossed his face.

"I thought Pogue might come too." He spoke lightly but Caleb noticed the hurt in his friends eyes and the way Tyler watched him carefully. The apprehension had even vanished, replaced by a strange tight expression.

"So what happened?" Caleb asked, leaning forward. Reid glanced over his shoulder and Caleb half turned in his seat to see that his eyes had met Tyler's. He looked between the two of them as their gazes held for a minute. Then Tyler inclined his head slightly and lowered his line of sight, submitting to Reid's wishes. Reid once again focussed his eyes on Caleb and smiled nervously.

"Well Tyler found me, I just passed out after a bit of a bike accident. My parents were out and I got myself home, thinking I was just bashed around a bit. I woke up here later." Reid looked over his shoulder again and Tyler pushed himself off the wall, coming forward to sit on Reid's bed.

"Yeah, I was a bit worried 'cause he wasn't returning my calls…" As Tyler spoke Caleb eyed the bandages on Reid's arms and his pale complexion dubiously.


Now review and tell me what you thought and maybe you can persuade me to update faster...you never know miracles might happen.

Sammy