Chapter Twelve

Rachel watches as the paramedics along with three EMT's position her father onto the stretcher, Bobby whispers as he pulls her in closer, "I'm sorry Rachel, he….I didn't know what he might do."

She sits up, "It's ok Bobby," she says bravely as she nods her head. "I saw what he did to Alex." She lies back down against his chest.

"What did you see Rachel?" Alex asks, keeping her focus toward the ceiling.

The young girl frowns, "He…."

Alex raises her eyebrows thinking back to when she lay helpless, while Charlie satisfied his own needs. I was helpless.

"He," Rachel continues. Alex shakes her head to focus on what the young girl is saying. "Had his hands around your neck and he was choking you." Her faint sigh goes unnoticed by Rachel but not Bobby. He decides to put his suspicion aside for now.

"Ok, Ma'am, it's your turn." A thirty something, blonde haired women says.

"My turn?" Alex shakes her head, "No, I just want to go home."

"Ignore her," Bobby takes a firm but tender hold of her arm as he helps her to stand. He fixes his gaze upon her, "Get on the stretcher, now," he says softly but sternly. She stands erect, ready to retaliate but changes her mind quickly when she notices the look of concern of his face. She nods as she speaks, "I can walk on my own."

Jefferson Memorial Hospital

Bobby waits impatiently along with Ross in the small reception area, "Goren, try and sit down for a minute, you're making me tired."

He only nods and grunts a few times, Ross watches him as he jogs out of the room, recognizing the ER doctor who is walking down the hall. "Doctor," he calls his name loudly, the young man who doesn't even look old enough to be a doctor turns suddenly. "Yes," is his only response.

"The man with the gunshot wound….is he going to be alright?"

The doctor frowns and is apprehensive to answer the question, Bobby notices and removes his gold shield, "I'm….I'm the one who shot him." He states plainly, as his stomach is wrenching from the thought of shooting another human being, even Charles Spangler.

"Yes," the doctor nods his head. "It was a clean wound, he'll be fine."

He wipes his brow with his handkerchief, "Thanks," he turns to leave and bumps into Ross, almost knocking him to the floor. Bobby offers no apology he says, "He moved right?" he paces around Ross, "I know; I saw him move."

Ross pats him on the back, "Yes, he moved Bobby. For what it's worth, it was a good shoot."

Bobby places his hands behind his back as he walks slowly back to the reception area, Ross following close behind. He takes a seat on the long couch and stretches his arms on the back of it. Ross exhales with relief as he sits on the other side. His relief is short lived as Bobby once again stands and begins to pace around the small room.

A Half Hour Later

This time the doctor finds him, "Mr. Goren, or should I say Detective."

Bobby waves his hand, "Whatever."

"Both your wife and daughter," Bobby frowns slightly but does not correct the doctor. "Show no signs of bruising or trauma, but they both have a large bump on their skulls. I have scheduled them for a CAT scan tomorrow morning." He pauses for a moment as he slips his pen into the pocket of his smock. "From my experience with this type of wound," Experience, I have shoes older then you. Bobby thinks. "I do not see any complications; however we must explore every avenue."

He nods, "I understand," the temptation to call him Doogie is overwhelming. "Can, can I see them?"

"Yes of course, follow me." Bobby takes a step forward then the young man stops abruptly. "They will be transferred to their rooms soon; unfortunately pediatrics is on the other side of the hospital." The doctor pulls the curtain aside and Bobby finds Alex and Rachel side by side.

Alex gazes upon her husband then immediately turns on her side, he frowns. "Hey you two," he says lightly trying his best to ignore his wife's' reaction in seeing him, he wants to say, What the hell is going on? he keeps his tongue.

Rachel sits up on the bed, "We have to stay here till tomorrow. The doctor said we need a…a…."

"CAT scan," Bobby says as he positions himself between Alex and Rachel. Alex remains still and quiet. "Isn't there anything you want to say?" he asks as he reaches for her hand.

"No," she turns away from him, "I just want to sleep."

"Sure," he leans down and kisses each of them on the forehead.

"How is my Dad?" Rachel asks shyly as if the mention of his name is a crime.

Bobby understands the young girls' curiosity. Alex on the other hand, bolts up in the bed, both Bobby and Rachel move back, "Who gives a shit, forget…."

Bobby takes her hand and she looks up, he shakes his head as he frowns. Whispering he says, "What the hell are you doing? He is still her father."

She tries to stare him down, she is unable, "Dogs make better fathers." She lies back down, "Let go of my hand….please."

"Sure." He releases his hold and her hand drops onto the bed. He turns his attention to Rachel, "Your father is going to be fine."

"I'm sorry," the young girl starts to sob. "Alex, I'm sorry."

Alex makes no movement as Bobby sits on the young girls' bed. He places his arms around her then pulls her forward. She calms down from the security and comfort of the big man with the tender nature. "Come on," he says as he stands, "Lie down and close your eyes," he pulls the thin sheet up to her neck. "Try and sleep." He remains with them until four orderlies arrive to transport them to their rooms and by that time, they are asleep.

He steps out of the ER hands deep in his pockets. Charlie, he says the name with disdain.

He finds Charlie's room, it was easy, it has two officers guarding the door; he nods to them then reaches for the doorknob. Neither officer make a move to stop him, he opens the door.

He snaps on the light, leaving the door ajar. Charlie is awake and sits up when he sees Bobby. One hand is cuffed to the bed; Charlie doesn't seem to notice. "You think you can keep her, well you can't." He says as his eyes travel the length of the room. "She's mine, do you hear me?"

Bobby takes a step closer to the bed, "Why," he frowns. It hits him like a bolt of lightening, Jackie, he's talking about Jackie. "You hurt them; you hurt your own family."

"You had her under a spell but now she knows that I love her. She proved it to me. I will never let her go," Charlie wags his finger at Bobby. "You leave my Jackie alone."

"Her, you keep talking about Jackie, what about Rachel?"

"Jackie needs her daughter, yes, but I need Jackie."

He steps back tying to put a wall up between his feelings for this man and his need to find the answer he seeks. He exhales as his mind tries to view this man as just another perp. "Jackie made love to you, with your daughter in the room."

He shakes his head, "No, no Rachel was asleep," he straightens up, seeming proud of his deed. "I gave her these pills," his shoulders slump. "Just like the ones my Mother would give to me."

Bobby says no more, his suspicion is correct, he curses his perceptiveness. The wrenching of his stomach muscles cause him to frown. You sick bastard, Bobby thinks as he slips his hands in his pockets. He turns suddenly then leaves the room without uttering a word. He walks slowly down the hall, his stomach muscles continuing to cause him pain, MEN, he sees the sign, moments later he is slumped over the bowl.

That is all for now, more to come.

US….MaryTChlark