Chapter Eight: Stress

Melanie's POV

Next morning I woke up early so I went to check on Toll but when I peeked in his room; it was empty. I looked around the house and didn't find him anywhere.

I got my gun from the desk in the living room, "Toll!"I called out listening hard for any kind of response but there was none. I searched the house from top to bottom and couldn't find him, I put on my boots and went outside to check the perimeter since there was no sign of forced entry inside.

The SUV was in the driveway, and there wasn't any tracks to be seen. I went back inside locked the door and headed for the phone to call Barney. I was in the living room just past the doorway when I was shoved from behind and hit the floor barely missing the coffee table.

I rolled over and prepared to shoot but when I saw Toll standing above me, I stopped. "Toll, what the hell?"I asked angrily as I went to sit up, he pushed me down with his foot.

"I was testing you to see if you're still in the game, and after breakfast we're doing training."he explained.

"Sure."I said getting up and brushed past him to the kitchen to make our food. Toll followed of course, "Sorry if I'm being a little hard on you but I can see how stressed you are. You stay up half the night thinking and moving around in your bed. You're not really talking to me or any body about what stressing you out so it's building up, I'm hoping the training I have planned will help you."he said in explanation.

I shrugged, I was stressed but it would ease as soon as I knew Lee was alright and talked to Nicole.

Hale's POV

I opened my eyes when the door opened just to my left and Nicole's head poked out, she blushed upon seeing me.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you but I'm hungry." she said her cheeks light pink.

"It's alright; I know a great spot where we can grab some food for us."I said rising up from the chair, I winced a little though I tried not to; sleeping in the arm chair wasn't the best idea. My muscles were sore and my back too but I'd tough it out, Nicole needed me.

"Sounds good, I'll wait downstairs."she said and rushed off still embarrassed I think. I ducked into the bedroom where I'd left my duffel bag and changed into some better clothes before going to Lee's room.

Barney nodded when I entered, I went over to him. "I'm gonna get us all some breakfast, Nicole's going to ride along."I told him.

"I guess that's alright as long as she feels up to it, be careful. I'm giving Lee until after we eat to wake up and if he doesn't he'll need to go to the hospital." he told me.

"If I were Lee I'd wake up then, he hates hospitals especially after last time." I commented, "We'll be back in a little while."I told him after he cracked a smile at my comment.

"You ready?"I asked Nicole a moment later as I grabbed the keys for the car, she nodded and we went out the door.

Nicole's POV

I was glad we were getting food, I was starved and still a little nervous around Hale. I had no idea he would sleep in the hallway to keep an eye on me or be close by if I needed him. He cared about me and treated me with kindness and respect; something I'd never had before.

"Where are we going?"I asked after he drove for a little while.

"The Pancake House, it's our favorite place for takeout breakfast and it's the best."he said knowingly and smiled at me, I smiled back.

"How's Lee?"I asked trying to sound casual like he was only sick but I still sounded worried even to myself.

"I'll be honest with you, he hasn't changed since we put him in the bedroom. Barney's going to take him to the hospital after breakfast if he isn't awake by then."he said and I could see the concern and worry in his face even though he was starring ahead at the road.

"I hope he wakes up soon."I told him, he nodded.

"We all do."he said and turned off the road into the restaurant parking lot.

Toll's POV

I ate the bacon and eggs Mel made for me, "Thanks Mel, that was good." I told her.

She smiled a little but said nothing, "We'll start training in 10 minutes." I informed her, she nodded.

I went in the living room and cleared space on the floor for us to work with, Mel came in shortly after. "So what is this training you have planned for us?" she asked.

"Light workout warm up, some sparring and then another light workout." I told her.

"Let's do it." she said but her voice lacked enthusiasm but at least she was willing to do it.

We laid down on the floor beside each other but we had some space between us, "50 sit ups." I told her, and I counted every one of them.

We were just finishing our second light work out when the phone rang, "Hello." Mel answered on the first ring.

Nicole's POV

After we picked up the food I borrowed Hale's phone and called Melanie. "Hey Mel, its me." I said when she answered.

"I am doing fine, really Hale and I just got food for the guys." I replied when she asked how I was doing.

"How are you doing?" I asked, "Fine." she replied but she didn't sound fine at all.

"I'm sure Lee will be alright, he has you and the whole team waiting for him and to care for him. I will do everything I can to help him for you, Mel, I promise." I told her.

"Thanks Nicole, I'm grateful for that and I am glad you are okay. Have Barney call us when he wakes up." she told me and hung up, I did too.

I handed Hale his phone, "Mel needs Lee as much as he needs her right now." Hale commented, I didn't know he'd been listening to us.

"Yeah, we need to get back to see Lee. I have an idea after breakfast." I said getting an idea. Hale didn't argue, he only pressed down on the gas.

The guys practically swarmed us when we came in and took the bags quickly unpacking the contents. "Took you guys long enough." Gunnar said.

"They needed time to make the food, and we had a big order. You know?" I remarked, he looked at me and then laughed; everyone did.

"What?" I asked as we got our plates and got some of the pancakes, sausage, bacon, and toast we had before sitting down to eat.

"You're a lot like Melanie." Barney answered. We ate and talked some but we all glanced to the stairs often watching for our friend to join us, at least I considered him a friend. For the others he was a team mate, a friend and a brother, and for Mel a loved one.

Barney's POV

The guys did the dishes while Nicole and I went up to check on Lee. "Hey buddy, you should wake up now." I told him, he smiled.

"Yeah, after you all had breakfast and probably left none for me." he said, I smiled.

"Welcome back." I told him.

Nicole was smiling too, "There is some left, I will get you a plate." she told him, "Thanks." he said.

Nicole left the room and I went closer to Lee, "How are you doing?" I asked though I had a pretty good idea.

"I'm in pain, how do you think I feel after being a human pinball?" he replied.

"Try to eat a little first and then we can help you with the pain. Melanie will be happy to hear you're awake." I told him.

"Alright, I want to talk to her." he said as Nicole returned with his food.

"Later, when you have more strength." I said and moved to the chair so Nicole could feed Lee.

"I'm not a baby.- he complained, she laughed.

"I know but it's easier on you this way and they did it to me too don't worry." she told him.

Nicole helped him take the pain pill and left again to tell the guys how Lee was doing. "Take it easy, everything will still be waiting for you after you recover." I told him before he gave in to sleep.

I dialed the number for Toll and Melanie, Mel answered. "Hey Melanie, Lee's awake. He's in a lot of pain but we have pain killers and we will do whatever we have to do to help him get better." I said.

"I know, I just wish I was there to help too. I'm glad he's awake and starting to recover, I miss him." she said.

"I'll tell him but he should be able to talk to you tonight." I told her.

"Thanks Barney, tell the guys I miss them too." she said.

"I will, put Toll on would you." I ordered, and after a minute he was.

"That's good to hear about Lee." he said.

"Sure is, how is Mel doing?" I said, I was concerned for her.

"She's alright, happier now that she knows Lee will be okay but I think something is still a little off with her." he responded.

I nodded, "Keep in touch, we should be up in about a week or so." I told him.

"Got it, talk to you later." he said and we hung up.

Melanie's POV

I was thrilled that Lee was awake and I would get a chance to talk to him later but there was still the threat of the 'Big Boss'as I called him.

He wanted me dead which was nothing new, though he knew a lot about me and we knew nothing about him. I didn't like that, "Toll!" I called from my room, he came to the door.

"What is it Mel?" he asked, I didn't usually call on him like this.

"I need the laptop, do you know where it is?" I replied.

"It's in the dining room, what are you up to?" he said but he was suspicious I could tell.

I headed downstairs and answered him when I found the computer, "We don't know anything about the 'Big Boss' so I'm going to try and figure out who it is."

"I'll help you, and the team probably needs something to do." he said and chuckled before taking out his phone to text Barney, I think.

I giggled, "Yeah, they're probably bored out of their minds." I commented and started laughing, Toll did too. I was not stressed anymore but somehow I could tell something was going to happen soon, something bad.