I slipped in one more! Gotta get them in when I can. I did discover a laundry mat down the street that seems to have internet…so maybe I can keep up somewhat this week.

Thanks for your comments, RT! *squeeze* I kind of heart Perotta two. She is a cutie, and there will be more of her to come. ;) Thanks to everyone who's following this story and loves them some Sweets.

Over the next few days, Bea and Cam kept their promises to visit Lance in the hospital whenever they found the time. Cam mostly read to Lance from psychology journals and novels and forbade him to contemplate the case that had almost claimed his life. She insisted that there would be time enough for him to help when he was healed.

Lance was definitely becoming intrigued by Bea. She was Vietnamese and had actually fled Vietnam with her family as a baby at the tail end of the 70s. She had spent a year in a refugee camp on an island in Malaysia before coming to the United States. Her perfect English, however, betrayed no hint of this past. Her parents had given her a French name in homage to its influence in Vietnam, which she had carried through to her daughter's name. Bea was a vegan (as Lance used to be for 7 years) and somewhat of a rabid environmentalist. She was, for instance, dying to show Lance (whom she now familiarly called "Sweets") her compost worms.

Bea had a doctorate in computer science and was basically filling in for Angela at the Jeffersonian when it came to computer expertise—well, filling in and then some. While Bea didn't have a lick of artistic talent, she was basically a genius on the computer. She had written many of Angela's tricks into computer programs, which would await the artist when she returned from Paris. Bea and Angela frequently corresponded over email, and Bea told Lance that Angela and Hodgins had sent their regards for a speedy recovery. Hodgins wanted Lance to know that he had express mailed him a Parisian treat that should arrive in a day or two. Lance was pleased, as he and Hodgins had just been growing closer before Hodgins had left on his epic honeymoon.

Lulu also visited Lance via her mother's arms. Her delighted giggles and crazy hair did much to distract Lance. He was trying to hover above his depression, because he was fearful he might drown in it. Lance was disappointed to learn that Lulu did have a father in the picture, but the more he learned about this man—Perry—the more he despised him. Bea and Perry—a house contractor—weren't married, but they were currently living together. Bea didn't say much about him, but she did appear to have some bruises on her arms and neck. Lance was pretty sure Perry was harming her. He sincerely hoped Perry wasn't laying a hand on the child. Lance knew he'd have to confront Bea about this, and he felt obligated to help. Yet every time he tried to ask, Bea skillfully redirected the conversation, and Lance wasn't feeling sharp enough to refocus her.

While he worried about Bea and Lulu, he appreciated their visits. He felt like they were somehow a proxy for Daisy. He so badly wanted to call his ex-girlfriend and tell her that he needed her, but he knew that was inappropriate.

Still on his last morning in the hospital—he was due to be released that afternoon—he couldn't resist calling Daisy. He was bored and lonely. He had no idea what time it was in Indonesia and no means of finding out, so he went for it. He was almost shocked when Daisy actually answered.

"Lance?" Daisy's voice sounded very far off, but she seemed alert. "Is everything ok?"

No, everything is not ok, Daisy. I need you. "Um, yeah. I just missed you," Lance's voice quavered. The problem with hearing from someone you love in a difficult situation is that you are in danger of totally losing control.

"Lance, you wouldn't have called unless something was wrong. Tell me," Daisy demanded.

"I'm…hurt. I mean, I'm ok. I was attacked."

"WHAT!" Daisy's voice boomed from the far away planet from which it seemed to be beamed.

Lance launched into an explanation of what had happened, informing Daisy that he sounded strange because his jaw was wired shut. He also told her that his attack might be linked to the Gravedigger case in the hopes that she might pass the information along to Dr. Brennan. Maybe this was unprofessional, but Lance missed Dr. Brennan and wanted her insights. Daisy listened in silence.

Finally she asked, "Lance, do you need me to come home? I could take some time off. You shouldn't be alone. You don't….you don't have anyone."

Lance was touched by her offer and wanted nothing more than to accept it, but he remained strong. "No, Daisy. Thanks for offering. It means a lot. But I have Cam and…some new friends. They're here for me."

Daisy asked suspiciously, "New friends? Who?"

Lance answered, frankly a little pleased that Daisy was jealous, "Just some people at the Jeffersonian. Listen, I don't want to keep you anymore. I just…needed to hear your voice, I suppose. I'm fine, Daisy, don't worry."

"Ok, Lancelot."

"Daisy, you shouldn't call me that anymore."

"Ok, sorry. I hope you feel better soon," Daisy sounded a little sad, which broke Lance's heart all over again. He wanted so badly to be over her. But he had loved her deeply and it would take a long time to completely move on, he feared.

"Bye," said the constricted voice from the hospital.

"Bye," said the distant voice from Indonesia.

That night at Cam's home, Cam was literally tucking Lance into bed, which immensely embarrassed but also pleased him. His leg had an uncomfortable cast on it, and his head felt like a strangled melon. He wished he could wake up in 6 weeks with his jaw freed and his cast removed. But for now, he was stuck in a broken body. After gazing in a mirror he had learned that his lower face was completely black and blue. Michelle had told him he looked like a blueberry sundae—part white and part blue.

Cam put a glass of water by the guest bed in which she had propped up Lance and sat down gingerly beside him.

"Dr. Sweets?"

"Please, Dr. Saroyan, call me Lance. I'm staying in your house for heaven's sake."

"Ok, but only if you call me Cam."

"Agreed," Lance smiled.

"I have an uncomfortable question to ask you. Please forgive me, but I need to know." Cam shifted and looked right into Lance's eyes.

Lance's face fell.

"The doctor at the hospital informed me that you've tried to…hurt yourself in the past. Are you in danger of doing that again now? I want to help you, but I'm afraid to bring a problem that severe into a house with a teenager. I'm sorry…" Cam looked embarrassed and miserable.

Lance was startled and sickened at the question. He felt like Cam had just seen him naked. He gathered his courage. "I am not in danger of hurting myself. I've recovered from that. As a psychologist, I know how to help myself deal with those kinds of feelings now."

Cam's face showed visible relief.

"I'm sorry you had to find out about that," Lance said honestly. "I hate to think you couldn't trust me. I…I've had trying times at certain points in my life and perhaps a weaker personality. I had trouble coping until I got the help I needed. It's been around 10 years since I…since that happened." He hoped this was sufficient explanation.

Cam said, "I disagree."

"What. You think I'll try to hurt myself?" Lance said, feeling a little angry at the accusation. His back went rigid. He was extremely sensitive about people prying into his past traumas. He basically never talked about his dark times, except when directly confronted.

"No. I disagree that you have a weak personality. You are a very strong person. I'm sorry you've gone through…whatever it is that has hurt you." Cam couldn't bring herself to reveal what she knew about Sweets. "But I admire the person you've become."

Lance was startled by this somewhat uncharacteristically emotional outburst. He just looked at Cam.

For a moment Cam was almost tempted to share about her own past, but she just couldn't. "I'll leave you to get some rest…Lance." Cam laughed. "Seems unnatural, no?"

"Yes. You could try Sweets…" he suggested hopefully.

She turned out the light. "Goodnight. Just so you know, I wrote Seeley an email about your situation. He'd like to talk to you tomorrow."

Lance smiled in the dark. He really missed Booth.