A/N: Hope no one is offended by a certain section in this chapter. I feel that it shows exactly how his mind was working and how he was feeling before he became ill. The illness is in his system, has been for a few days.

That is all….Later.

Chapter Six

Eight Days Earlier

Gainsport Rehabilitation Facility

His fist hits the wall as he drops the receiver letting it dangle. "Punching walls never solves anything, man." Bruce Mailer says as he passes.

"She's not going to let me come home, Bruce," he says as he leans up against the wall.

Bruce replaces the receiver, "Did she tell you that?"

"She didn't have too; talking to her is like talking to a fish, cold man."

"She's upset."

"Alright I understand that but….shit she won't visit, I thought that it would last maybe a few weeks but it's almost two months."

"You know how woman are, it's her way to remind you that you'd better not fuck up again."

"Know how woman are?" He rubs the back of his neck, "I thought I knew this one, maybe if she'd scream or….I need something," Bruce grabs his arm.

"No you don't, you do that and you'll be in here for another six months."

Bobby smirks, "No not that I'm gonna go beat the shit out of a punching bag."

Bruce chuckles. "Lay in a few for me."

He removes his shirt tossing it on the floor. He begins to punch the bag, with all his strength. Minutes later he hears the door open; he lays in a hard punch then looks toward the sound. It's Kelvin Harper, an acquaintance of his, carrying towels. Kelvin enters the locker room, moments later he exits but remains by the entrance, watching. Bobby notices him in the corner of his eye; he positions himself to face the man and continues to punch the bag. Kelvin has not moved he finds himself staring with intent and getting excited. A few more hits on the bag and Bobby bends down, placing his hands on his legs taking in much needed air. As he picks up his shirt, he starts to cough. He wipes his face and chest as he walks slowly across the room, acknowledging Kelvin, who just nods. Bobby takes the two steps up to the entrance, "Kelvin what's the matter with you?"

Kelvin shrugs his shoulder, shaking his head simultaneously; Bobby wipes his face again and then notices the bulge in Kelvin's pants. He tosses the shirt to the floor and within moments he is in Kelvin's face. He grabs him between his legs, "Did I do that to you?" Bobby pushes him flush against the wall, "What are you gonna do for me?"

"Is that what you really want Bobby? Huh? Think man, you want it to be my face that you see the next time you make love to that beautiful wife of yours." Bobby pushes him back again. "Fuck!" He steps back, placing his hand on his forehead, "Sorry Kelvin, sorry man, I don't know what the hell is the matter with me?"

Kelvin winks at him, "Any other time and place."

Bobby manages a weak smile, "Shit," he runs his fingers through his hair. "This is a big mess," he places his hand on his chest. "My mess," he picks up his shirt, wiping his face for the third time. "All my life I've had to solve everyone's problems, I don't know how to clean this up."

The Next Afternoon

"Hey," the guard calls to him. "Hey Goren, get up. What do you think?" He walks into his room, "You get a special invitation?"

Bobby rolls over, "What? Ah no, man I feel…." He sits up slowly. "I feel like shit."

James Kendall smirks, "You look like shit also." He takes a hold of his arm, "Come on, I'll take you to the infirmary."

The Office of Curtis Fiedler, M.D.

"Doctor Winslow."

"Brendan, its Curtis Fielder, how are you?

"Fine thank you….you?"

"Very well, I have a patient here; he's forty-five years old, not a drug abuser. Last check-up was when he was brought here about two months ago, BP was normal, low cholesterol, blood work excellent. He complained of aching muscles, at first he and I attributed it to him hitting a punching bag a couple of days ago, but that was not the case. He has a dry cough and from listening to his lungs, he is congested. I've been administering amoxicillin, it's not working and as you know that is the strongest antibiotic that I have here."

"Fever?"

"Yes," he flips a page, "Last checked half an hour ago, 102."

"Bring him in."

St. Luke's Hospital

The ambulance backs up to the ER door, greeting three EMT's and a sole security guard are Nurse Powers and Balsam. "This way, room 3," Nurse Michelle Powers waves to them. They follow her down the hall and push the stretcher through the doors.

"Are those," Michelle points to his handcuffed left wrist. "Necessary?"

The security guard shakes his head, "No," he removes them.

"Ok on three," the EMT's grab the sheet. "One, two, three, lift." They position him on the examination table as Doctor Winslow enters the room.

Winslow gets the attention of the security guard, "What's his name?"

"Goren."

"No, no his name?"

"They call him Bobby."

Winslow places his hand on his cheek, turning his head to face him, "Bobby," lightly patting his face. "Bobby come on, wake up." His eyes flutter open, and then a surprised look crosses his face. "You've been admitted to the hospital. Bobby are you in any pain?"

He touches his forehead, "Headache," he strains to say the words. "And it feels as if every muscle in my body aches."

"His heart rate is 120 and his BP is 160 over 110," Nurse Powers reports as she removes her stethoscope from her ears.

"Set him up for a chest X-ray and I want a bacterial culture swab."

Day Five

"Mister Sanchez, if he has any family, any family at all I suggest you call them. He might not make it till Sunday."

"He's," Steven swallows hard. "He's dying?"

"I'm sorry but," Winslow nods his head. "Yes he is."

Bobby's Room

Alex and Robby stand in the doorway, with Nurse Meyer behind them, Robby reaches for his mother's hand this time, "Is he unconscious?" Alex asks.

"No, he's very weak and he needs to sleep," Nurse Meyer answers. "I've been with him ever since he got here, every time he opened his eyes he would ask for the both of you, Robby right?"

He squeaks out, "Robert."

"Today his name is Robert," Alex interjects.

She smiles at mother and son. They glance at the still form on the bed. "He hasn't opened his eye since yesterday morning."

"I didn't know," Alex says wiping the tears from her eyes, as she gently sobs. "I didn't know he was here."

The tall gray-haired nurse takes her hand, patting it gently. "You're here now, let him know."

TBC