Within the ER, Dave was leading his third-year medical student, Tony Gates, through the hallway on a routine tour. Since it was slow, there was nothing else to do and Dave really wanted to do useful things with his time...the whole concept of being a responsible doctor...a role model... really appealed to him.

"I know I was late this morning, Doctor Malucci," Tony apologized as they returned to the desk where Jerry was working. "I know I can't offer any excuse, but I wasn't expecting to come to County….I showed up for work at Northwestern and was sent to County…."

Dave nodded, "I only heard yesterday that Mr. Barnett had decided to finish his rotations at Northwestern," he replied. "Apparently, I'm a chronic collapser and it freaked him out."

Jerry chuckled, "Ray wasn't much for collapsers unless he was passed out drunk at one of the bars he played at," he commented, not knowing that Dr. Greene was approaching from behind.

"How exactly would you know that, Jerry?" Mark asked. "From first-hand experience perhaps?"

Not wanting to get into trouble for his off-duty activities, Jerry shrugged, "I hear things," he replied in a non-committal tone. "Anyway, I've just finished making up an Orientation package."

"So, you and Frank are going to torture poor Nathan all night with paperwork?" Dave asked, an amused tone in his voice. "At least Nathan has enough patience for that stuff..."

Before Mark could comment, the phone rang and Jerry picked it up, "County ER..." he said, listening for a moment before offering the phone to Dave. "Doctor Malucci, phone call for you."

Dave took the reciever and gave Tony an apologetic look, "This is Doctor Malucci," he said.

There was silence and Dave suddenly looked upset, "...How many cops are patrolling the house?" he asked, ignoring the sudden concerned looks he was getting from Mark, Jerry, and Tony. "...Is he stable?...No, DO NOT stop the ambulance if he crashes...Let me talk to him."

Another moment of silence passed and Dave took a deep breath, "Deseo que mantengase despierto y escuche Luka," he said in a firm tone. "Cuando consigue aquí, las enfermeras querrán cortar su ropa tan ellos pueden examinar y pueden tratar sus heridas. No importa lo que suceda, deseo que permanezca calma. Yo aquí le esperaré y me aseguraré de que estará bien."

"Dave, what-" Mark started to ask, but Dave held up a hand to quiet him.

"Luka, what's your ETA?" Dave asked. "...All right, I'll be in the bay waiting for you...Bye."

Dave slammed the receiver down, "Tony, go upstairs to the Peds floor and get both Amy and Doctor Weaver back down here right away," he ordered. "Doctor Greene, grab whatever nurses you can find and prep Trauma One...order a portable chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound..."

"What happened?" Mark asked, giving Dave a concerned look as Tony ran off towards the elevators. "Dave, what's going on? Why did Luka call you?"

Reaching under the desk, Dave grabbed a plastic gown and a pair of goggles, "Luka went out to get something down the street and Elton somehow broke into the locked house," he replied in an almost infuriated tone. "Elton and Nathan got in a fight...Elton beat up and stabbed Nathan...From what Luka could get out of Nathan, Elton fled the house with Katie in tow..."

"What condition is Nathan in?" Mark asked, following Dave to the trauma room where Dave grabbed a gurney and dragged it down the hallway. "Wait….did you say Nathan was stabbed?"

Dave sighed, "Luka's keeping him from falling into shock, but just barely," he explained. "Nathan keeps drifting in and out of consciousness from terror and blood loss...He'll need surgery regardless of how deep the knife is in his gut...he's got a broken arm and dislocated shoulder."

"You know all this without x-rays?" Mark asked in a skeptical tone.

"Nathan told Luka that when Elton forced his arm behind him, he heard a crack and a pop," Dave replied. "I need to go out to the bay and wait...the ambulance should be pulling up shortly."

As if on cue, Mark and Dave suddenly heard sirens approach, "I'll help you with this," Mark offered, knowing that Dave's emotions were going to be running on high. "Jerry, page any available nurses and do everything else that Doctor Malucci wanted done..."

Suddenly worried for Nathan, Jerry nodded and quickly got on the phone to carry out the orders.

Dave silently allowed Mark to help him wheel the gurney out into the ambulance bay.

"...Where is that surgical consult?"

"Hook up another saline drip...Call the blood bank...Turn up that oxygen to 100%.."

"...Nathan...Doctor Malucci...he's responding to stimuli..."

"...Oh, crap, there's a mix of blood and urine in the foley..."

"...CALL UPSTAIRS AND BOOK AN O.R!...GET A CONSULT DOWN HERE NOW!...We've been in here for a long stretch..."

Feeling sick and woozy, Nathan opened his eyes and immediately saw that he was laying on his back with a mask over his face, "Where am I?" he asked weakly, pushing the mask away.

Almost immediately, Nathan winced in pain as he felt something being jabbed into his chest, "What are you jabbing into my chest?" he asked, his voice weak.

Dave's face, which had goggles on it, came into view, "Doctor Greene is inserting a chest tube because one of your lungs collapsed," he explained. "When the nurses cut your shirt off, they found a bootprint on your chest...I'm guessing Elton stood on your chest for a few minutes."

Nathan managed a weak nod, "I couldn't do anything to stop him," he replied weakly, gasping as he felt tubes being placed in his nose. "What happened to my clothes? It's very cold in here."

At the other end of the gurney, Chuny noticed bruising on Nathan's upper legs that were just below where the gown covered, "Doctor Malucci, no hay hematomas en los muslos de Nathan," she quickly said in rapid Spanish, as she didn't want to humiliate Nathan.

Dave was silent for a moment and then looked at Nathan, "Nathan, hizo Elton asalto sexual que?" he asked, worried about what the answer would be.

"No esta vez," Nathan softly replied. "Dijo que le gustaría jugar conmigo un poco más, pero tuvo que abandonar...My arm hurts...my stomach...I can't even feel my face..."

The trauma room door opened and a cop walked into the room, "Doctor Malucci, I need to talk with Nathan if he's awake," he stated. "Nathan's parents are insisting on being allowed in."

There was a shout and the doors suddenly banged open, "Nathan is as good as my son and I am going to talk to him," Luka snapped at the cop who tried to stop him. "How's he doing, Dave?"

"Luka, any sign of Katie?" Nathan asked in a tired tone. "Did the cops find her?"

Luka shook his head, "No, the cops found that Katie's passport was missing too," he explained in a solemn tone. "I don't know where and why she was taken...or why you were attacked."

"Elton said something about the Congo being nice this time of year," Nathan whispered in a trembling voice. "I think the Congo is in Africa somewhere...I can't think straight..."

Quickly processing what Nathan had said, Luka swore loudly and stormed from the trauma room, barely missing colliding with Dr. Corday, who had been called down as the surgical consult.

"...Luka?" Nathan asked, shaken by Luka's sudden departure. "I don't feel so good..."

Without warning, Nathan vomited more blood and began to cough, "Doctor Malucci-," he began.

As Dr. Corday approached the gurney, Nathan passed out and alarms began going off.

"Elizabeth, have a look at this ultrasound," Mark explained as he quickly moved over to the ultrasound machine and ran it over the wound area. "The x-rays are on the light boxes."

It took only a few minutes for Elizabeth to look at the x-rays and the ultrasound, "I'm taking him up right NOW!" she shouted, seeing Dave inserting another IV. "Are you coming, Doctor Malucci?"

Dave shook his head, "Get me some suction and a tube," he ordered as he watched Nathan's unstable breathing with intense concern. "Better make an airway just to be safe."

Elizabeth watched as a nurse quickly suctioned more blood from Nathan's mouth and handed Dave a tube, "I can see the cords, hang on," Dave stated, as he began to slide the tube into Nathan's mouth. "All right, bag him...He can go up to surgery now...who's on call?"

Before Elizabeth could reply, Dr. Romano, who had been called by the police about the incident, stormed into the trauma room and froze at the sight of Nathan, "Doctor Malucci, you, Doctor Corday and I are taking him upstairs NOW," he barked. "Keep bagging him slowly."

"Robert, Peter and I will be fine-," Elizabeth began, suddenly cut off by Dr. Romano's glare.

"Doctor Benton just left to collect the medical staffers from Africa who will be here for a few weeks," Dr. Romano replied in a snappish voice. "I will just be observing while you and Doctor Anspaugh work on Nathan...I already called upstairs and he is waiting in O.R. number four...Malucci's student is at the desk, he can stay there for a bit and read his medical books...I don't care about anything else but my grandson right now...LET'S GO!"

Dave looked out into the hallway and saw a cop talking with Amy, "You can talk to Amy later, Doctor Malucci, let's go upstairs," Dr. Romano barked.

Nodding, Dave helped Elizabeth roll Nathan into the hallway. As he was leaving, Dr. Romano looked at Mark.

"Doctor Greene, are you still in contact with your daughter?" Dr. Romano asked curiously.

Mark nodded, "Rachel gave me a cell-phone number so that we could keep in touch without Jen knowing," he replied. "Do you think I should tell her to phone Nathan when he's in Recovery?"

"Maybe that would do him some good to hear a friendly voice to take his mind off the pain," Dr. Romano replied, watching as Dave and Elizabeth disappeared into the elevator with Nathan.

Mark sighed, "While you're upstairs, I'm going to try and find Luka," he said, suddenly seeing Amy walk away from the trauma door, presumably towards the admit area. "When Nathan mentioned the Congo, Luka suddenly got this weird look on his face and stormed out of the room."

Even though he was worried that Luka was going to do something foolish, Dr. Romano remained silent and quickly left the room, as he wanted to be in the O.R. for the entire surgery.

Looking around to make sure he was alone, Mark pulled his cell-phone out of his pocket and dialed Rachel's cell number so that he could tell her what had happened.

In the ladies' bathroom, Amy retched into the toilet once more before shakily stepping out of the stall and gazing around, relieved that nobody else had come in and heard the puking.

About two weeks after she and Luka had consummated their marriage, she had begun to feel morning sickness and strange fatigue. She had also missed her February period. She had not taken a pregnancy test, nor had she told anyone. In all honesty, she was scared.

Even though she figured that a new child might help bring their new family closer together, Amy knew that it was a very bad idea to even bring it up, especially with what had just happened.

There was too much stress for a new baby, yet Amy didn't want to abort it. If she was pregnant, she would welcome it and raise it lovingly...despite all the problems.

Luka was in no state of mind to be a confidant and Dave was probably going to be upstairs until well after Nathan was brought out of surgery. Lucas and Erinn would be of no help, as they were going to be worried about Nathan's recovery and about Katie being found alive.

Tears filled Amy's eyes as she leaned against the sink and gazed into the mirror.

Not even a month after she and Luka had married and already, the family had fallen apart.

Placing a hand on her abdomen, Amy sighed. She had to pretend that everything was fine, as there had to be an emotional rock in the family. By fate, that emotional rock had to be her.

"...Yes, I would like to speak with someone about getting a travelers visa," Luka said quietly into the phone as he turned and saw Amy walk down the hallway and go into the lounge.

Hearing a voice on the phone, Luka turned his back to her and was relieved that he was in the privacy of the phone closet. Nobody needed to know that he was going to find Katie on his own. The police were absolutely useless and he had experience in Africa that would help him...he knew how to get information.

Although the police had not been able to confirm that Elton was taking Katie to the Congo, Luka's instinct was to trust Nathan's word and start by searching there once he got a visa. If it would make the process go faster, he would lie and say that he was with Doctors Without Borders...medical help was always needed there.

Luka was silent for the next several minutes as the voice on the other end of the phone explained what he would need to do to get a visa. He then murmured a thank you and hung up the phone.

Letting out a sigh, Luka stepped out of the phone closet just in time to see Amy come out of the lounge and walk over to the desk where a nurse was holding Joe. He watched as she kissed Joe on the forehead and talk with the nurse for a moment before sitting in an empty chair. The nurse nodded and walked off with Joe towards the elevators...most likely, Joe was being taken up to day care to enjoy the rest of the day in peace.

Immediately, he felt immense guilt: since Nathan had been brought in, he had thought nothing about what this was doing to Amy. He sighed and made his way over to the desk.

"Lucas and Erinn need to be picked up from school," Amy tonelessly stated, seeing Luka approaching. "I don't want them there without protection, they'll be safer here...I sent Joe up to day care with a nurse...I'll pick him up later..."

Luka sighed, "I'm working on getting a visa to the Congo," he explained in a gentle look, unintimidated by the sudden look of shock on Amy's face. "I'm going to look for Katie."

"Luka, nobody knows for sure if Elton even is going to take Katie to the Congo," Amy protested, unaware that Dr. Weaver was now within hearing range of their conversation.

There was silence and Luka gave Amy a look, "In the trauma room, Nathan said that Elton had told him," he stated in a soft voice. "I cannot lose Nathan and Katie like I did Jasna and Marko."

Amy gave Luka a look, "Who are Jasna and Marko?" she asked. "Did you know them?"

"Abby was not my first wife," Luka explained tonelessly. "When I lived in Croatia, I was married to a woman named Danjiela and we had two children named Jasna and Marko...they died in the war...I should have told you long before now, Amy...I am sorry that I did not."

Feeling as if she had just been drenched in ice water, Amy stared at Luka, speechless about what he had just told her. She turned and moved away from the desk, not knowing what to say.

Despite their promises to not keep secrets from one another as husband and wife, Luka had just revealed that he had been married not once, but twice. Not only that, he had lost children in a war.

Everything seemed like it was falling apart and all Amy could do was nod numbly.

Luka moved away, as he needed to see about getting Lucas and Erinn from school, as it was too unsafe for them to stay out in the open unsupervised. They would be safer at the hospital.

Suddenly, the shock of everything hit Amy hard and she began to feel very lightheaded.

"Luka, I don't feel good," Amy mumbled as she suddenly began sinking towards the floor.

Frowning, Luka turned and caught Amy just before her knees hit the floor, "Kerry, get over here!" he yelled as he gently lifted Amy into his arms. "Amy is going into shock!"

"Luka, I am NOT going into shock," Amy snapped as he carried her over to a gurney and gently laid her down. "I missed my February period….I think I'm pregnant..."

Luka suddenly frowned, "Amy, you're bleeding," he said, seeing blood on her scrub pants.

"A miscarriage," Amy whispered as Kerry came over to the gurney looking concerned. "No…."

Kerry gave Amy a look of concern, "Are you all right?"

"No, I'm not," Amy replied in a sorrowful voice. "Nathan is in surgery fighting for his life, Katie is in the clutches of a chronic abuser, Erinn and Lucas are at school...Joe is going to daycare and he's the only one who's okay...You're running off to the Congo to play Rescue Hero and I just miscarried...I am definitely not okay..."

Luka flinched, "Amy, I-" he started to say.

"JUST GO!" Amy shouted, anger in her voice as tears rolled down her face. "Please...too many secrets...go...get Lucas and Erinn from school..."

Kerry made to move forward, but Luka shook his head. She nodded and moved away from the gurney to phone upstairs to OB for a consult. At the very least, Amy would need observation. After calling OB, she would talk to Mark about him getting Lucas and Erinn from school...she was sure he wouldn't mind.

Shaking, Amy sat up and began to sob. Luka sat on the gurney and pulled her close to him. He needed to be a supportive husband...even if she didn't want him to be.

Casting a glance through the window into the O.R. where Dr. Corday, Dr. Anspaugh, and Dr. Romano were operating on Nathan, Dave turned away and wiped a tear from his eye.

Swallowing hard, Dave moved away from the window and walked down the hallway towards the elevator. He needed to go get Daniel out of school, he wanted his only son to be safe.

There was nothing but quiet as Dave rode the elevator down to the main floor and walked outside into the afternoon sun. He would go get Daniel and then come back to work for the night.

Luckily the school wasn't far from County and Daniel wouldn't mind getting out a little early.

Little did Dave know, however, that someone was already intending to collect Daniel from school.

In St. Louis, Rachel Greene hung up her cell-phone and frowned, ignoring the fact that the noon bell had rung and students were filing out of the classroom.

Rising from her desk, Rachel grabbed her backpack and moved out into the crowded hallway.

Just after class had ended, Rachel had gotten a call from her dad; he had told her that Nathan had been attacked and that his youngest sister had been kidnapped. He wasn't able to stay on the phone for long, but he had expressed his love and told her not to worry, Nathan would be okay.

However, despite her dad's reassurance, Rachel couldn't help but want to do something.

Forget her mother hating Nathan, Rachel knew that she had to get back to Chicago as soon as possible. It was fortunate that her mother had allowed her a credit card for emergencies. Her father said that she could try phoning in a few hours. However, Rachel basically hated the idea and wanted to BE back in Chicago...right now.

Hurrying out of the school, Rachel quickly hailed a cab. She needed to get to the airport.

Screw her mother, Craig, and the stupid orders...She had to be there for the family who cared about her...she had to be there for Nathan, as well as his family.

Thunder rumbled overhead as Dave and Daniel walked out of the school and started down the sidewalk towards the nearest EL station. Daniel smiled up at Dave, who looked troubled.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Daniel asked as they reached a crosswalk and waited for the WALK sign.

Dave nodded, but didn't smile, "I'm all right, just concerned that we're gonna get caught in a storm," he replied in a gentle tone. "I just don't want either of us getting soaked."

Daniel shrugged, "If we get wet, so what?" he said in a cheerful tone. "I like rain."

As the WALK sign appeared, Dave managed a smile and, taking Daniel's hand, he began leading his son across the street. Suddenly, a loud horn sounded out of nowhere.

Frowning, Dave looked up just in time to see a truck speeding towards him and Daniel.

His heart racing, Dave gently shoved Daniel across the road, "Hurry," he whispered. "I'll be right behind you…"

Daniel ran and Dave made to run after him, but the truck sped up and barreled into Dave, knocking him to the sidewalk. Daniel screamed as the truck stalled.

Breathing hard, Dave looked up and saw Elton and a semiconscious Katie in the vehicle.

The truck door opened and Elton stepped out, "Ah, another passenger," he hissed as he walked over towards Daniel. "I only have two tickets…but I suppose I could smuggle your brat to Africa and sell him as food…"

Dave swore and stuck his leg out, causing Elton to trip and fall to the ground.

The two men wrestled for a moment and Dave scratched Elton's face, "Stay away from my son," Dave hissed, pulling himself towards the truck so he could try to rescue Katie. "You don't have the right to take her away…you scum ball…I'll kill you….let…her…go….she's just a little girl, you psychotic monster."

Elton quickly pulled himself to his feet, "Oh, I have every right to make her…and you…suffer," he hissed, grabbing Dave by the ankle and pulling him back. "Too bad I didn't have a knife on me…I wasted it on Nathan…I could have saved it for you…..It's been years since I used a knife on your pathetic little body….I miss it…."

Grinning, Elton delivered a sharp kick to Dave's ribcage area, "This isn't the last time we'll meet, Malucci," he hissed, releasing Dave's ankle. "Next time we meet, you'll die….For now, I'll leave you and your brat alone….Goodbye for now…..I'll play with you some other time….It's been too long."

As Elton walked away. Dave felt a boot connect with the side of his head. His vision blurred, but he didn't pass out.

Coughing anxiously, Dave crawled over to the side of the road as the truck revved up and sped off down the street.

"Daniel, I need you to go back to the school and tell someone what happened," Dave said, wincing as he tried to sit up.

Daniel shook his head, "Dad, I wanna stay with you," he whimpered in a fearful voice.

"Daniel, please," Dave whispered in a faint voice. "I need you to do what I told you, okay?"

Looking upset, Daniel hesitated for a moment and then nodding, he ran back towards the school as fast as he could.

Gripping to the curb for support, Dave gasped as he pulled himself into a sitting position.

Thunder rumbled overhead and as the rain began to fall, Dave stared down the road that the truck had traveled. He had almost lost his child today...to a monster.

Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

John lay in bed, his entire body chilled despite being covered in loose clothing. He felt terrible.

Fortunately, Abby was at the clinic and didn't yet know that he had brought the Humvee back to the small hut they shared that was about half a mile from the clinic. He had barely made it back from the airport, he was so tired.

Taking another swig of water, John capped the bottle and rolled on his side. His eyes were drooping rapidly. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and slept.

Maybe Neela was right, maybe he should tell someone that he wasn't feeling well….before it was too late.