A/N: Now we get to find out about Amita and Colby.

Chapter Six

Charlie burst into the hospital room looking around for the surgeon. He saw a capable woman eyeing him steadily.

"Professor Eppes? I'm Doctor Franks. I operated on your wife." She shook Charlie's hand and continued, "the surgery went very well considering we had to remove the baby first."

Charlie walked over and slumped in the chair by Alan's bed. He never took his eyes off the doctor as she continued talking.

"The bullet hit Amita's right lung, but we were able to repair the damage. We do have her on a respirator at the moment, but it is only a precaution and we will be removing it tomorrow. She should make a full recovery." Smiling the doctor then asked, "Would you like to go see her? She's being moved into a room on this floor as we speak."

Charlie sighed with relief but found it hard to get the words out past the lump in his throat. "Yes. Please take me to her."

"I'll come with you Charlie, if that's okay doctor? I know that these two," Robin swept her arm around between Don and Alan, "would like a first hand account of Amita's condition."

"Yes that's fine with me. Come this way both of you." Charlie followed as the doctor and Robin exited the room.

Charlie stopped short as he entered Amita's room. There were so many machines hooked up to her it was hard to find Amita amongst them all.

"I know it looks a little scary," the doctor said watching Charlie take in all the machines, "but we're just being cautious. By tomorrow a lot of these machines will be gone."

Charlie slowly approached the bed, searching for his wife under all the tubes and cables. She was there, but she looked so unlike Amita that Charlie had a hard time believing that she was really alive.

Sinking down into a chair beside the bed, he gasped, "Oh Amita. What have I done to you?"

Robin walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Charlie, don't go there again. You know this is not your fault. You did not do this to Amita."

Robin placed Charlie's hand over Amita's as it lay on the bed. "Here, hold her hand for a while, you'll feel better for it." Charlie was grateful that Robin was there.

Doctor Franks was still in the room checking the machines and looking at Amita's chart. "You can only stay a few minutes Professor. Amita needs to rest, and I think so do you." She looked pointedly at Charlie's left arm. Putting the chart down, she headed for the door. "I suggest that you go home soon and come back in the morning. We'll be taking Amita off the respirator then. She may wake up by tomorrow afternoon."

Robin left after the doctor. Charlie sat for a while longer holding Amita's hand and talking quietly to her about the beautiful baby in the nursery.

When Charlie crossed back to room 403, he found Nikki and Liz both sitting in chairs outside the door.

"Do you really think someone will try something here in the hospital?" Charlie asked Liz.

"Don just wants to keep you safe Charlie. We'd," she indicated Nikki and herself, "rather sit here and not be needed, than not be sitting here and someone tried to hurt you again."

"Well thank you Liz. Nikki. I really appreciate you looking out for me. Am I allowed to go back to the house later?"

It was Nikki that answered. "No Charlie. We have a safe house we'll take you to when you're ready."

"Okay. But I'm not leaving until I hear how Colby is." Charlie looked down at his watch. "It's been hours."

"Yeah. I know. But no news is good news. Right?" Liz said.

"I hope so," Charlie said as he pushed open the door to the room.

Charlie found three sets of eyes watching him expectantly. "What?" he said.

"I'm worried about you kiddo," Alan answered. "You look exhausted. We were talking and we think you really should go home and rest."

"Can't do that dad. Not allowed to go back to the house." Charlie looked at Don as he said this knowing that Don already knew he would be going to a safe house and not to the Craftsman. "And, I'm waiting for Colby's doctor to come in before I leave."

"Do you know where Colby was hit?" Alan asked.

Just like that the guilt was back. "Colby pulled me down and protected me Dad. He took one of the bullets meant for me." Charlie couldn't help himself, the guilt just kept coming.

"Actually, Agent Granger took two bullets. That's why it's taken me so long to repair the damage." Swinging around Charlie found yet another surgeon standing in the doorway.

"Is Colby alright?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, he will be in time. I'm Doctor Holmes by the way. Colby had a bullet wound to his shoulder which did not pose too much of a problem, although it bled a lot. It was the wound to his lower back that caused the most worry. It narrowly missed his kidney but did do a lot of damage to his intestines. We managed to repair everything but he will have to be watched carefully in case of infection. We'll be keeping him in ICU for a few days so that he can be monitored."

"Can I go see him doctor?" Charlie ran his hand through his hair. The pain killers were wearing off and his arm was really starting to ache. "He was hurt saving me you see."

"Not at this time. Tomorrow you can see him." With that the doctor turned and left the room.

Walking over to the chair between the two beds, Charlie sank down into it. He knew that Don would see the guilt and pain on his face so he didn't try to hide it.

"Go with Liz and Nikki, Charlie, you need to rest. Come back tomorrow." Don looked intently at his brother.

Pulling himself together, Charlie stood up. "I will Don. In a couple of minutes. First, I'd like to introduce dad to his granddaughter." Charlie took out his cell phone and brought up the pictures Robin had taken earlier. "Dad, meet Margaret Emily Eppes."

TBC