Chapter 18: Visiting hours

Time rushes toward us with its hospitality tray of infinitely varied narcotics, even while it is preparing us for its inevitably fatal operation.- Tennessee Williams

"What did you find out?" Morgan whispered as Eliot snuck back up the corridor where they had agreed to meet.

"Hardison's up in room 127 but he's got a load of cops up there questioning him." Eliot informed as he kept a careful eye out for anyone who might be coming.

"Does it look like they're going to be leaving soon?" Morgan wanted to go and make sure his friend was okay but he had barely
made it away the first time when everyone was being arrested. Then the second time when he had gone back after meeting Eliot
to see if he could learn anything new about what was happening with Abby and he really didn't want to push his luck with a third encounter.

"The nurse I was talking to was pretty tight lipped but from what she did tell me they just got up there not too long ago so it'll probably be awhile still.
At least you know he's doing well though, they wouldn't be talking to him right now if he wasn't. What about Abby?" Eliot was glad that Hardison seemed to have a full
recovery in his future but he was still worried about Abby. The only thing he knew was something had happened that landed her in the hospital and that was exactly why they were there.

"I couldn't get a thing from any of the nurses but I overheard a doctor saying it was a miracle
she was still alive after being tossed out of a moving car." Morgan had to grab Eliot as he went to leave, eyes on fire.
"Visiting hours are over and I've already been asked to leave twice, there's no way you're getting in there tonight.
Let's get out of here before we bring anymore unwanted attention to ourselves El."

"If you wanna leave be my guest but I'm not going anywhere until I see for myself that she's alright." How was he supposed to just go
after finding out someone he cared about, and there weren't too many of 'em, had been thrown out of a car and wasn't even expected to be living by doctors.

"She's on the third floor." Morgan relented. "I didn't notice anyone but watch yourself."

"You leaving?"

Shaking his head Morgan told him, "I'm gonna keep an eye on things around here, I'll be around when you're done."
He might not have liked the idea of hanging around there anymore but he'd been working with Eliot for
over eight years and they'd gone through a lot together, he wasn't about to leave him alone now.

Silently shutting the door behind him Eliot hesitantly made his way to the chair beside the bed.
Lying in the middle of the bed was a bruised, battered, and barely recognizable looking Abby. "What did he do to you?"
Eliot whispered as he ran his fingers over a nastily blackened bruise that started at her hairline and traveled down to the beginnings of her cheekbone.

There was a cast covering her left arm and an expression on her face that couldn't possibly be described as anything other than pained.
Listening to the labored breaths that were filling the room Eliot came to the conclusion that she must have taken damage to her ribs, if not her lungs, or possibly both.
"You better not get yourself into this kinda mess again Abs." Eliot chastised as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
"I keep telling ya' to get away from your parents, from the likes of the rest of us.
You're a good girl and you could have so much more if you'd just go after it, maybe this will finally show you that you belong someplace better."

Rising from his chair Eliot placed a soft kiss on her forehead before promising, "I'm gonna make this right Abby. You just return the favor and get better, OK?"
Knowing that he wasn't going to be receiving an answer he decided it was best to make his exit for the night.
He wouldn't be back but he was content with the knowledge that his friends were still alive; maybe not well but they were still breathing and it was looking like it would stay that way.

Making his way out of the hospital Eliot didn't bother looking for Morgan knowing that the other man would appear soon enough, which he did.

"How was she?" He knew it must have been bad judging by the shake of the head Eliot gave as he chose to stay silent.

"What now?"

"We find him."

"We find him." Morgan echoed feeling the same anger he had just heard coming from Eliot.

Setting his shoulders Eliot started forming his plan.
Sterling was going to pay that was for sure he just didn't know how yet.
Be it a month or a year he would regret the day he ever messed with their family.

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"What exactly do you do for Rossi?" Nate questioned the petite blonde in front of him.

"What exactly do you do Mr. Ford?" Parker deflected.
She was not a common criminal to be arrested and dragged into a police
station and she certainly wasn't going to help the man who was behind that happening.

"OK let's go at this from a different angle. How long have you been working for Rossi?" Nate questioned.
All he wanted was to build a case against the Rossi's but this girl was starting to rub him the wrong way.

"How long have I been working for Rossi?" Parker was genuinely confused.
She never worked for Rossi and even if she wasn't going to help him he should know enough to know that.
After all he was a detective.

"YES! Simple question, simple answer! How long have you worked for him?" Nate slammed his fist on the table.
He was beyond frustrated; no matter what he asked her he was asked a question in return.

"I've never worked for him." She answered simply.

"You are wearing a uniform to a casino he owns! So stop lying to me before I get you charged for interfering with an investigation!"

"He owns the uniform too, but how is that interfering with your investigation?" Parker yelled.
She was beyond annoyed with his stupid questions.

"Stop playing du-" Nate began shouting but was interrupted by Munch as he said, "Her brother gave me everything we need to know. She's clear to go."

Glad that he would be done with this woman's insanity Nate quickly left as she began tossing insults his way.

"You good?" Spencer asked as Parker made her way out of the room she was being held in.

"I'm fine." Parker assured not sure how she felt about Spencer going all big brother on her.

"What did they ask you guys?" Tony wondered coming up behind them.
He hadn't been interviewed yet and he was a bit nervous.

"About our involvement with Rossi and the casino.
He even asked me what I knew about an apartment house fire." Reid answered still a bit confused with that question.

"A fire?" Tony thought that was weird but who knew what was going on with everything that had been happening lately.

"I'd like to set Detective Ford on fire." Parker mumbled darkly for which she received two very worried stares. "What?" Geeze, it wasn't like she meant it.

"You really worry me sometimes" Spencer said shaking his head disbelievingly "Let's get out of here before you get us arrested."

"Bye" Parker waved happily as Tony just stood there still a bit disbelieving before waving slightly in return.

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Watching as a silver haired man walked into the room Garcia swallowed thickly, he did not look happy.
He just sat there quietly as she was slowly losing control of her emotions.
How could he be so calm when he was scaring her half to death?

After a few more moments of that intense glare she felt all her resolve crumble as she yelled, "Stop that! I'll tell you whatever you want if you just stop looking at me like that!"

That was even easier than he thought. "Tell me everything," and as he sat back smirking she did just that.

Penelope's house of "how may I save your ass today?" - Penelope Garcia, Criminal Minds