Two Days Later

Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital – Miami, Florida

Ryan twitched as he felt a new patch of gauze being placed and gently secured over his trach hole, prompting him to open his eyes, "It's okay, baby," Alexx spoke gently. "It's all done."

"Thanks Alexx," Ryan spoke in a faint voice, as his voice was still healing and he'd been told speak softly or whisper until the hole was healed over. "What time is it?"

Alexx smiled as she gently degloved, picked up a moist cloth from the portable table, and gently wiped the beads of sweat from the bruises on Ryan's forehead and face, "It's about nine a.m., baby boy, and a nurse already came by and put breakfast in your feeding tube," she replied.

"The hearing's this morning," Ryan whispered tiredly. "Emily…Emily told me about it."

Alexx nodded, "And she left books if you wanted anyone to read to you," she replied softly.

Ryan sighed tiredly and shook his head, "Maybe later," he replied softly. "I'm so beat."

Alexx sighed as Ryan drifted off; she found herself relieved that he seemed to be accepting that the recovery would be long and require time off work. Emily had already told her that Anthony and Rosa would let Ryan recover at their house after he was released from his hospital stay, but that she was having a time getting a guarantee that Ryan could eventually go back to the lab.

Knowing that Emily had only asked since Ryan had been desperate for an answer, Alexx silently stepped outside into the hall to compose herself. Ryan had been slated to testify at the hearing because he had been working a shift at the McDonald's the day Tommy Wolfe had assaulted Danielle and her children, but the beating Ryan had taken had made him unable to testify.

"Alexx, are you all right?" Tim, who had volunteered for guard duty that day because Emily had to go to court and James and Julliet were with his mother, asked from his seat by the door.

Alexx sighed and nodded, trying not to cry, "I don't understand why Ryan's brother of all people would have arranged for his brother's torture," she replied sadly. "Horatio said that it was…"


Courthouse

The courtroom was quiet and the doors were barred, guarded by armed police officers, "May I remind everyone that this is a closed session and the information shared here is not to be shared with the media," Judge Morenno, a sharp-tongued Hispanic judge who had been given the case due to his impartial perspective, said calmly. "I notice that Ryan Wolfe is not here."

"Your Honor, CSI Wolfe was kidnapped, held hostage, and brutally beaten for two days by the order of Tommy Wolfe to prevent his presence at this hearing," Horatio replied as he stood up.

Tommy, who was decked out in prison blues and sitting in a box surrounded by bars and armed guards, rolled his eyes, "Is something amusing you, Prisoner Wolfe?" Judge Morenno snapped, glaring at Tommy with a venomous expression. "CSI Wolfe is your brother, is he not?"

"We had the same parents, but I don't have a brother," Tommy snapped. "He's dead to me."

Judge Morenno sighed and Horatio held up a folder containing documentation of Ryan's condition and photos of Ryan's injuries, "I have here complete documentation of CSI Wolfe's injuries," Horatio said coldly. "Had he remained wherever he was, he might have died."

"So what?" Tommy snapped from inside the box. "It's not my fault that Clavo…"

Danielle's eyes went wide as she sat beside Sully and Yelina while Warrick, Emily, Diana, Jason, Jenny, Tony, Anthony, and Eric sat behind them, "Prisoner Wolfe," Judge Morenno said sternly, giving Tommy a look. "I suggest you start talking right now or I will order you…"

Tommy scoffed, "Shortly after Bernard Marquez visited me at the prison, I heard that he had checked himself into a hospital somewhere because he was short of breath, but I don't know where he is," he replied coldly. "I also heard that Clavo Cruz and Bernard's personal physician dumped Ryan somewhere while he was still alive despite me paying Bernard to kill him."

"I wasn't aware that Mister Marquez had a personal physician," Horatio spoke up.

Tommy nodded, "Never met him or her, but Bernard's health is so shaky that he can't live by himself anymore," he replied quietly. "Anyway, what does this have to do with this hearing?"

Judge Morenno sighed, "All right, let's discuss what happened on January 22nd, shall we?" he asked in an annoyed voice. "Danielle Boscorelli, can you please come to the front?"

Danielle sighed, stood up, slowly walked up to the front and sat at the table, "Mrs. Boscorelli, would you please describe the events that transpired on January 22nd?" Judge Morenno asked.

"I took David and Ellie to a McDonald's in the mall for lunch and I left them to play in the PlayPlace while I ordered the food," Danielle explained calmly. "Ironically enough, it was CSI Wolfe who took my order because the CSI department hadn't cleared him to work in the lab, which I find very interesting because you would think that cops actually took care of their own down here instead of leaving them to flounder in minimum wage jobs."

Horatio frowned at the mention of Ryan needing to resort to working at McDonald's to survive instead of receiving pay as part of the paid leave arrangement that the PD had in place for officers who had to take paid leave in response to incidents, "Anyway, I ordered my food and went over to the PlayPlace to check on David and Ellie after CSI Wolfe gave me my change."

"Hmm," Judge Morenno replied curiously. "Was CSI Wolfe there doing undercover work?"

Emily sighed and stood up, "No, Your Honor, Ryan was a legitimate employee who couldn't work at the lab because of a suspension brought on by charges pressed by Tommy Wolfe," she explained in a cross voice. "Ryan was working that day and had been for a good deal of days before that incident. Unfortunately, he was terminated as a result of that altercation involving Tommy and Mrs. Boscorelli because he left in the middle of shift to take Tommy's son, Emilio, back to his mother. Emilio's mother was very grateful for her youngest son's safe return."

Tommy scowled, his anger growing as he glared at his wife and then at his sister.


Mercy Hospital – New York

Carlos winced as he slowly stood up from the bed with a button up shirt and shorts covering him, "I've got you," Holly spoke gently as Dr. Fields hovered nearby. "Almost there."

Pain rocketed through Carlos's body with each step, but he managed to make it to the wheelchair and sit down, "You did great," Holly replied as she quickly put slippers on Carlos's feet so they wouldn't get cold. "I'm relieved you're finally getting out of here, honey."

"Me too," Carlos replied, sighing as he flexed his free hand before setting it on the armrest.

Dr. Fields handed a bag full of medication to Holly, "No solo bathroom trips or walking in general unassisted for at least a month," he spoke calmly, gazing at Carlos. "You also need to take showers or baths with assistance til your shoulder heals. Monitor your concussion symptoms and if they persist repeatedly over a week and pain meds don't work, come back."

Carlos nodded and shakily signed the chart that Dr. Fields held out using his left hand since his right arm was slinged, "Try and stay in bed as much as possible for the next couple of days," Dr. Fields said, seeing that Carlos was quickly tiring. "Don't eat or drink things that will cause pain."

"I haven't had a drop of anything alcoholic since my wedding day," Carlos replied tiredly.

Holly smiled and took Carlos's hand in her own, not letting go as the on-duty nurse pushed the wheelchair down through the hospital and outside. Carlos frowned as he saw Ty and a plainclothes police officer standing outside a fancy looking SUV that looked unfamiliar.

"Hello there, Carlos," Rick said calmly. "My name's Rick Stetler. Do you remember me?"

Carlos's eyes widened in shock, "Officer Stetler?" he asked softly. "From the group home?"

Ty gave Rick a look, "Thank you so much for trusting me enough to converse with me, Mrs. Nieto," Rick said kindly, smiling at Holly. "Your wife said you'd be released today, Carlos, and I was coming on a little vacation here with my son anyway, so she invited us to stay with you."

"I thought you worked for Miami PD now?" Carlos asked in a tired voice. "Don't you…?"

Rick nodded, "I'm actually an IAB Sergeant now, but I also work for Victims Assistance and it took some doing, but I convinced the head honcho to let me come and serve as protection for your family for a few days," he replied calmly. "My son's waiting for us in the front seat."

Ty quickly opened the back passenger door, as he didn't know this Stetler guy, but had a feeling that there was a level of deep trust between him and Carlos. Holly helped Carlos up and into the backseat, sighing when he let out whimpers of pain, "Deep breaths," Holly whispered.

The door was closed and Holly hurried around to the other side, quickly getting in and doing up Carlos's seatbelt for him before doing her own up, "Holly," Carlos whimpered, trembling.

"It's okay, Carlos," Holly spoke softly, putting an arm around him. "Just try and sleep."

Outside of the car, Ty gave Rick a look, "I'll be coming by to check on Carlos later," he said.

"I have no intention of hurting a guy I rescued from an abusive group home leader years ago, Officer…" Rick replied in a stern voice, eyeing Ty's tag. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Davis."

Ty frowned and Rick sighed, "Come over if you want, but I'm taking Carlos to his house so he can have some medication and rest," Rick said firmly. "His wife gave me the address and it will only draw attention if you insist on following me, plus it might scare the crap out of my kid."

When Ty didn't reply, Rick silently got behind the wheel of his rental SUV and peered through the rearview mirror; Carlos had drifted off in Holly's arms and he was considerably calmer because she was holding him and continually stroking his bangs and face to keep him asleep.

"Daddy?" Lenny asked softly, knowing that his father was helping someone who he helped a long time ago. "I know you said that you helped him a long time ago. Is he gonna be okay?"

Rick sighed and looked at Lenny gently, "I'm not sure yet, but we'll have time to still have a vacation like I promised and we'll go see some cool things. I hope you're okay with that."

"We have a daughter, Kylie, that you might be able to hang out with," Holly offered softly.

Lenny looked happy and nodded, "And I might be talked into going through a drive-thru on the way to where we're gonna stay, kiddo," Rick replied softly, knowing Carlos needed to eat.


Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital – Miami, Florida

"Tommy got 5 years," Emily spoke in a kind voice, squeezing Ryan's right hand as she sat at his bedside in the ICU, exhausted from the hearing. "Even though Bernard did the actual assault, the judge ruled that there's not a point in sending him to jail because he's basically dying."

Ryan scoffed, "And that's justice for you," he replied in a soft voice. "Did you bring it?"

Emily nodded and produced a small vanilla shake that she had bought from McDonald's along with lunch for herself on the way back from the court house, "Can you help me hold it?" Ryan asked softly. "My hand still shakes really bad when I try to hold anything with any weight."

"Of course," Emily replied softly, sighing as she brought the straw to Ryan's lips. "Slowly."

Ryan managed to drink about half the shake before spitting the straw out, "And I'm out of work for 6 months over all this," he whispered in a sad voice. "I don't know if my application for disability went through or not even though I was not on official duty when it happened."

"You were there in the capacity of a police officer," Emily replied softly. "It should."

Ryan sighed, "Helping an IAB Sergeant find his kid whose been missing for months without evidence isn't something that the PD approves of," he replied. "I lied about my claim cause I didn't want to keep mooching off the Speedles. I'm not getting paid while I'm on leave."

Emily frowned, "Stetler went to New York for some mandatory vacation time because he had a breakdown after I got beat up," Ryan spoke shakily. "The Chief thought he could use a break."

"Ryan, that's not right," Emily replied in a concerned voice. "I'll have a look into it."

Ryan suddenly looked tired, "I'd tell you not to, but you're stubborn," he replied softly.

Emily smiled and Ryan yawned, "Get some rest, big brother," she spoke gently. "I gotta go do my officer hours with Tripp for a while, but I'll come by with my kids later on. Love you."

Ryan mouthed 'I love you' as he slowly drifted off to sleep, leaving Emily to think while she continued to sit there waiting for someone to collect her so she could get off to work. She had told Ryan about her second job and he was being supportive.


Staten Island, New York

"You cleaned?" Carlos asked in a pained voice, the smell of Pine-Fresh assaulting his senses as Holly helped him walk through their large bungalow to their bedroom. "Just for me?"

Holly smiled as she guided Carlos into their large bedroom and helped him sit on the bed, "I needed something to do," she replied softly, kissing his forehead. "How's your headache?"

"Still there, but I didn't want to scare Sergeant Stetler's son," Carlos replied softly, sighing as he watched Holly take the meds out of the bag and put it on his bedside table. "His kindness was the reason I wanted to go into a medical profession because I believed I could help people."

Holly nodded and showed Carlos two pain pills and a cup of water, "This should help," she spoke softly, feeding him the pills and helping him drink some water. "Sergeant Stetler and his son are sharing a room near the kitchen. Tommy and Kylie won't be home for a few hours..."

"Doctor Fields said I can't do anything like that for at least a month," Carlos replied in an apologetic voice, letting out a sigh of relief as the pills took hold. "I'm so sorry."

Holly sighed, "I can still love you in other ways, sweetie," she spoke softly. "It's okay."

Carlos nodded and Holly helped him lie down in their bed on top of a special body pillow that she had bought recently, "Rest and I'll make you some pudding," she spoke gently. "Okay?"

Drawn into a much needed nap by the pain medicine, Carlos mumbled something and drifted into a deep sleep. Holly carefully covered him up and then silently left the bedroom.

Holly felt troubled as she left the bedroom, as she didn't know how many instructor shifts she could manage while taking care of Carlos while Tommy and Kylie were in school, as Carlos's injuries were fairly serious. However, while they owned the house, they still had bills to pay.

Rick was seated at the kitchen table, silently typing on a laptop computer while Lenny sat in another chair reading a book, "Is there anything I can get you and your son, Sergeant Stetler?" Holly asked in a concerned voice as she entered the kitchen. "You've been so helpful."

"No, but perhaps there's something I can do to help you and Carlos," Rick replied calmly, having been briefed by Grissom about the family's finances. "Is Carlos getting disability right now?"

Holly nodded, "Paramedics don't make a ton, but we managed to buy this house outright with our combined salaries shortly after we got married," she replied quietly. "When Kylie and Tommy came into our lives, I decided to become a stay-at-home mom while Carlos worked."

Rick nodded, "Now that Carlos is injured and on leave for at least three months, though, I've taken a part-time position as an EMS instructor," Holly replied calmly. "We should make it."

"I'd like to donate a little something to your family," Rick replied quietly. "With your consent."

Bewildered, Holly nodded, "I've lived cheaply over the years of that I've been in service," Rick explained as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small check. "Please take this."

Holly blinked and took it, deeply shocked by the amount, "Are you sure?" she asked softly.

"I'm relieved that Carlos didn't let the system beat the crap out of him like it does to so many other kids who grow up in foster care," Rick replied calmly. "If you're all right here, I'm going to take Lenny to ride the ferry and perhaps visit a toy store. I did promise my son a vacation."

Nodding, Holly listened to Rick go tell Lenny that they were going out and was quiet as the two left to sightsee. Overwhelmed by Stetler's generosity, Holly found herself crying softly with the plan that she would stop by the bank after her kids got home and she had to go work.


Miami-Dade Police Department - Miami, Florida

"Do you think we could get together tonight, Calliegh?" Eric asked softly as he and Calliegh lingered in the break room, both of them tired from their work. "The hearing was pretty quick and I didn't have any cases scheduled for the rest of the day, so I'm thinking of going home…"

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and Callieigh's eyes suddenly widened as she saw Emily coming down the hall from her office in a patrol uniform complete with a badge, gun, and vest, "Emily, what are you doing?" Callieigh asked in a surprised voice as she went into the hallway. "Why are you…?"

"I'm going to my second job," Emily replied calmly. "Ryan's out of work for at least the summer and he's not getting comped, so I asked the chief for casual street hours since James and Julliet have started preschool and that's expensive. I'll be working with a partner for a little while."

Eric and Callieigh exchanged a look as Tim came hurrying down the hallway, "Speed, will you please tell Emily that going on patrol with two kids at home is crazy?" Eric asked sternly.

Tim looked taken aback, "No, I won't, Delko," he replied in an annoyed voice. "Emily's a qualified cop and a qualified CSI, but there aren't any openings at the lab right now. It's an occasional shift and I respect the fact that she wants to work while our kids are in preschool."

"I liked the way you said our kids, Tim," Emily replied, smiling at him. "About the wedding…"

Tim sighed, "I already told you I don't care where we get married as long as we keep the date the same," he replied calmly. "We can do it at the hospital chapel so Ryan can be there."

Emily smiled and gently kissed Tim, who gently returned it, "Let's go, Officer Wolfe," Tripp called down the hallway as he came into view. "We're doing a four hour shift today."

"Does Horatio know about this?" Eric asked in a concerned voice. "He could give you…"

Emily scoffed, "And give people an excuse to keep Ryan from coming back to work when he's ready?" she asked cynically. "The PD's already not comping him and I'm angry about that."

Before Eric or Calliegh could reply, Emily followed Tripp off down the hall, "What was Ryan doing when he was kidnapped that he can't get on disability?" Eric asked curiously.

"He was on duty, but the PD's always been rough on him," Tim snapped irritably.


Staten Island, New York

Loud bangs filled Carlos's ears and he cringed, flashing back to when he was slammed into the ambulance doors and the street as he let out a whimper. He could feel them trying to grab him and it was like he had no power to stop them from taking him. A strangled cry escaped his lips.

"Dad!" an anxious voice suddenly broke through the air. "Dad, come on! Wake up!"

Carlos gasped anxiously and his eyes popped open in fear only to see Tommy standing over him looking worried, "You nearly gave me a heart attack," Carlos breathed anxiously. "Why are…?"

"It's like four, Dad," Tommy replied worriedly. "I got Kylie and came home on the ferry."

Carlos nodded, "Mom went to work early," Tommy continued softly. "Are you okay?"

"Can you help me to the bathroom?" Carlos asked, suddenly feeling nauseous. "Quickly."

Tommy nodded and helped his father out of bed and into the bathroom, frowning when Carlos promptly emptied his stomach into the toilet, "Can you please help me sit down and get me the phone?" Carlos asked shakily, knowing he shouldn't still be vomiting and having headaches.

Deeply worried, Tommy helped Carlos sit on the edge of the tub and brought him the cordless, staying close as Carlos dialed the number, "Hi there…" he said, trailing off as a burst of pain suddenly rocketed through his skull and prompted him to vomit several times. "Here…"

Taking the phone, Tommy held his trembling father close, "My dad, Carlos Nieto, just got out of the hospital today with some bad injuries and a concussion," Tommy said into the phone, scared that his dad would pass out due to pain. "He took some meds and was napping earlier, but he woke up in pain and threw up a few times. He needs someone to come check on him…"

"The room's spinning," Carlos muttered as he closed his eyes. "Tommy, I'm super dizzy…"

There was a silence, "Daddy?" Carlos heard Kylie say in a quiet voice. "Are you sick?"

"Kylie, bring Daddy a pillow," Carlos mumbled quietly. "Tommy, lay me on the floor."

Carlos trembled as he felt himself being rested on the floor, sighing when he felt the pillow under his head. The sound of sirens suddenly flooded the house, causing Carlos to tremble.

"All the noise," Carlos whimpered groggily as footsteps echoed through the house.

There was a gasp, "What's going on?" Carlos heard Rick ask worriedly. "Carlos?"

"Sergeant Stetler, something's wrong with my dad," Tommy said as he came out of the bathroom and saw Rick there with Lenny and shopping bags as well as some paramedics.

Rick nodded, "Kylie, Lenny, why don't you go play that cool little Nintendo set I saw in the living room?" he suggested gently. "Tommy, why don't you go and set things up for them?"

The paramedics quickly moved into the bathroom as Tommy took Kylie and Lenny away. Rick silently got his cell-phone out and dialled Grissom to let him know what was going on, as Grissom had asked him to check on the Nieto family since he was on mandatory time off.

"Sir…sir, are you all right?" Carlos heard a voice jabbering in his ear. "I need you to talk to me…"

Carlos shuddered, but found himself unable to speak because the mere movement of his mouth increased the pain and nausea he was feeling, "I told you he threw up a lot and said his head hurt!" Tommy called out from the living room. "He also said he was feeling dizzy."

While on the phone with Grissom, Rick watched as the paramedics talked softly to Carlos and Carlos shakily responded while trembling. One of the paramedics put an oxygen mask over his face while another started covering him with blankets and checking vitals while talking to him.


Speedle Family Restaurant – Calle Ocho – Miami, Florida

Jenny Wolfe sighed heavily, keeping an arm around Tony as he sat on the floor trying to hold an icepack to his nose with one hand while holding his hurting chest with the other. She had gotten a job at the restaurant to be close to Tony and had come in this morning to find the kitchen ransacked with Tony unconscious on the floor, bleeding from various wounds.

Realizing that her father had somehow found out they were dating, Jenny had called 9-1-1 and the Speedles, staying with Tony while he slowly regained consciousness, "…I need some sugar, like bad," Tony spoke in a trembling voice. "I didn't even see who did it. They wore masks…"

Jenny sighed as the doors opened and paramedics came in, "Cops are right behind us," one of them said in a concerned voice as they approached Tony and knelt beside him. "What…?"

"My dad owns this place and I live above it, so I usually come in and do prep," Tony spoke in a trembling voice, the pain intensifying. "I really need some juice or something. I'm diabetic."

One of the paramedics nodded and quickly got out an IV, "This should help," he replied calmly, quickly hooking it to Tony's arm as the doors opened again and Horatio entered with Tim.

"T-Timmy," Tony stuttered anxiously, his eyes widening when two uniformed cops came inside and he recognized Emily as the smaller one. "Miss Wolfe, hi. You look good in uniform."

Horatio's eyes widened as he turned and saw Emily standing there with Tripp, "Emily, what are you doing?" he asked in a confused voice. "My understanding was that you have a job…"

"My understanding was that Ryan got denied paid medical leave, so I'm working two jobs," Emily replied in a professional tone, clearly unhappy with Horatio. "Tony, what happened?"

Horatio looked unsettled as Emily walked over and knelt down next to Tony, "Speed, did you know about this?" he asked in a concerned voice, watching as Tony became much calmer.

"Emily's doing what she has to and I'm grateful she decided to work with the PD instead of at some garbage bar like she did before," Tim replied calmly. "We argued about it a lot, but…"

Horatio looked surprised, "You two were dating even then?" he asked in a shocked voice.

"Yeah," Tim replied in a quiet voice. "We've been together on and off for a lot of years."

Just then, Emily came over to them, "Tony said he came down to do prep and some masked guys had broken into the restaurant and told him that Tommy sent them to stop him from dating Jenny," she explained in a serious voice, gripping a notepad that she had taken Tony's statement on. "Tony tried to fight back, but they broke some dishes over his head and knocked him out after beating him up a bit. The paramedics gave him something for his blood sugar."

"I guess that makes the kitchen the primary crime scene," Tim spoke up calmly. "H?"

Horatio nodded, "You don't need to worry about me, Horatio, I saw much, much worse when I was a beat cop in New York," Emily spoke calmly. "Sully was my FTO and he taught me a lot."

"Just be careful," Horatio replied calmly before he went into the kitchen. "Speed, process your brother and I'll handle the kitchen. We'll have to do this fast since it is a place of business."

Tim nodded and took his CSI kit over to where Tony was sitting while Jenny sat nearby, having let go of Tony so the paramedics could help him, "It hurts, Timmy," Tony spoke shakily.

"I know, Tony, but you're being really brave," Tim replied calmly as he knelt down. "I gotta take evidence now and that involves getting samples of stuff and taking pictures of your injuries."

Tony nodded and sighed deeply, "I'm starting to feel a little better," he spoke tiredly. "I think Mom's doing her preschool volunteering today and Dad's not supposed to come in til noon. I came downstairs this morning and noticed a broken window, but I didn't hear anything last…"

"It's not your fault," Tim replied gently. "Just hold still and think happy thoughts, all right?"

Tim worked quickly, but thoroughly in taking samples and photos until his camera and kit were filled with evidence. By the time he was done, Tony was on a gurney, having been lifted there by a backboard, with two IV's in his arms and a blanket over his lap to keep him calm.

Horatio came into the dining area having processed the scene, "I called my mom," Jenny spoke softly as she moved to stand beside the gurney. "My mom said to stay with Tony."

"I don't understand why you didn't hear anyone break the downstairs window last night," Tim spoke in a confused voice, giving Tony a once-over. "The apartment's not soundproof…"

Tony scoffed and took Jenny's hand in his own, "We're consenting, mentally-sound adults, Timmy," he replied, smiling out of bravery for his girlfriend. "We were relieving each other cause her dad's hearing was today and she needed some love. Nothin' wrong with that."

Horatio silently took the kit from Tim, "Ride with your brother, Speed," he said calmly.

Tim nodded and found himself pleased that Tony was keeping his young life together. As long as Tony took care of himself, Tim knew he would be okay.


FDNY Training Centre – Manhattan, New York

Holly sighed as she watched paramedics-in-training step out of the classroom for the break that happened between the bookwork and the practical exercises. She had put Rick's check in the bank, wrote out a budget that would get them through the summer, and had come to class.

Even though she didn't know Rick at all and knew even less about Victims' Assistance, she knew that Rick had helped Carlos enough to form a bond of trust. She and Carlos had been married a time and she knew that Carlos wasn't one to simply trust anyone without them proving themselves. That, Holly knew, had come from years of him suffering in the foster care system.

Holly's phone suddenly went off and sighing, she pulled it out, "Hello?" she said quietly.

Frowning at the sound of Tommy's voice, Holly listened as her son explained that Carlos had woken up with a headache, had thrown up, and had gotten extremely dizzy when he tried to call for paramedics. Tommy explained that Sergeant Stetler was at the house with Kylie and Lenny and he was at the hospital waiting on news, as Carlos had passed out in the ambulance due to pain and dizziness and he was being worked on and stabilized in a trauma room.

"I'll come as soon as I can," Holly promised anxiously. "What hospital is your dad at?"

As Holly remained on the phone, listening to her son, Grace came into the room to see how the course was going. Holly hung up the phone and started to cry because she had a bad feeling that complications would set in and she should have stayed home, but they needed the money.

"Holly, what's wrong?" Grace asked in a worried voice. "Did something happen at home?"

Holly sniffled, "Tommy just called and Carlos woke up with a bad headache, threw up a bunch of times, and he got dizzy as he was calling for help," she explained tearfully. "Carlos was taken to Staten Island University Hospital and Tommy's there waiting for news. Sergeant Stetler of Victims' Assistance and his son are staying with us and was kind enough to watch the young…"

"I can handle this if you want to go over there," Grace replied in a concerned voice. "It's…"

Holly started sobbing and Grace silently hugged her, "I can get someone to take over the class for you and Brendan and I can take you over there," Grace spoke softly. "We were on a date, but I had to stop by here and see how the class was going. There are other instructors around."

Nodding, Holly quickly made a note on her paperwork that she had to leave, grabbed her purse, and allowed Grace to guide her out to the lobby. Brendan was sitting on a bench dressed in civvies, sipping a McDonald's latte, "Brendan, Carlos is back in the hospital," Grace said softly.

Brendan frowned, "Should I call Davis?" he asked worriedly. "He's like Carlos's brother."

"Call Davis, yeah," Grace replied as she led Holly over to find someone to finish the class.


Victims Assistance Safehouse

Exhausted from the hearing, Danielle sank on to her bed and silently closed her eyes to have a nap, as her father and Yelina were in the kitchen having tea and talking. She was delighted that Yelina was also pregnant and hoped her father would pursue happiness however he needed to.

Now that the hearing was over and Tommy Wolfe was destined for jail, Danielle knew that she could go home to Maurice, John, David, and Ellie and also prepare for the birth of her twins.

"Danielle, you're so hot and I'm going to simply take you because I can," Edward crooned in a dark voice as he tore the hospital clothes off of Danielle. "Just lie still or I'll kill you."

Danielle whimpered and gasped as she opened her eyes, disturbed by the nightmare she had just experienced. Edward was dead, but the time with him in that rustic cabin still haunted her.

She had experienced the nightmare at home, but Maurice had been in bed next to her and they had talked about it before he had lulled her to sleep with gentle kisses. Now, alone in Florida, she had nobody to comfort her and now that the trial was over, all she wanted to do was go home to what she knew. Sighing, Danielle got up and tried to wipe the tears from her face.

Her father's chuckle filled the house as Danielle silently left her bedroom and wandered into the area where the dining room and kitchen were, "Hey there, kiddo," Sully said warmly, smiling at Danielle as he held Yelina's hand. "We've just been having a discussion."

"I had a nightmare about that horrible two weeks with Edward and I just want something to eat," Danielle spoke in a sad, tired voice. "I know you and Detective Salas are having a baby and I can't control what you guys do, but I'd like to go back to New York as soon as possible."

Yelina looked confused, "Your ex who is now dead?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"Edward kidnapped me a while back and forced me to spend two weeks with him in this rustic cabin somewhere in New York," Danielle explained quietly. "I ended up drugging his alcohol with sleeping pills and escaping in his car. I've been trying very hard to move past it."

Yelina nodded thoughtfully and got up, "Here, let me help you," she spoke softly as Sully watched them worriedly. "I understand abusive spouses, Danielle, I really do," she spoke in a gentle voice as she opened the fridge. "Ray was a Narcotics officer who descended into drugs and turned so abusive that I ended up taking Ray Junior and divorcing him. It's hard, I know."

"I'm sorry about your son being missing," Danielle replied softly. "How are you managing?"

Yelina sighed gently, "I'm actually thinking of taking another vacation because it's quite hard being in Miami with all of my thoughts," she replied gently. "That is what your father and I were talking about; I've been considering moving to New York so the baby and I can be with him because it's getting to hard to stay in Miami."

Sully looked pleased and Danielle smiled, feeling comforted as she and Yelina shared a hug.


Staten Island University Hospital

Fog flooded Carlos's vision, as he had passed out and had no idea what was going on or where he was now at. He was wondering if he had died and had just left his family to struggle alone.

"You're not dead, Carlos," a gentle voice spoke from the fog. "You've just been through a lot."

Carlos looked around in confusion for the source of the voice and was stunned when Doc, clad in an FDNY uniform, came out of the fog, "Am I dead?" he asked in a terrified voice. "You're…"

"I'm dead, yeah, but you're not," Doc replied gently. "You're just hurt and unconscious."

Carlos frowned and Doc gently put a hand on his face, "You've done so well and I'm proud of you, Carlos," Doc spoke gently. "I saw you getting beat up and I know you're struggling to get well, but it's gonna take a while. You need to slow down and stop trying to push yourself into believing that you're okay when you're not. Stop trying to be everything for everyone."

"It's hard," Carlos replied softly. "I didn't expect my past to collide with my present like this."

Doc nodded and patted Carlos's cheek, "You told me once that you thought of me as a father figure, Carlos," Doc said gently. "Even though I'm not alive anymore, I can still guide you and give you peace when you need it. You've done awesome things and I want you to keep living as you are and be happy. I'll always be watching over you as long as you remember me."

Faint beeping filled Carlos's ears and he felt someone grab his hand, "…Once he's awake, we're going to send him for an MRI," a voice spoke gently. "Looks like post-concussion syndrome…"

Carlos felt a gentle hand stroke his hair and he slowly opened his eyes, his effort to speak immediately muffled by a mask. His eyes travelled around the room until he met Holly's.

"Don't say anything, sweetie," Holly spoke gently, holding Carlos's hand as doctors and nurses worked around them to prep Carlos for transfer to Radiology. "Tommy told me you passed out during the ambulance ride and you're in rough shape. You're going for an MRI like right now."

Carlos exhaled softly, "Ty showed up and took Tommy home and Ty's learning to get along with Sergeant Stetler," Holly explained softly. "I got Grace to give my class to someone else and she and Brendan drove me over here so I could be with you. I'll stay with you for the whole thing."

The journey to Radiology was quiet as Carlos allowed himself to calm down and simply hold Holly's hand for as long as he could. Doc was right; he didn't have to be everything to everyone all of the time and had spent so much time caring that he needed to allow others to care for him now. He felt Holly watching as he was moved from the gurney to the MRI machine.

Soft voices filled the machine and Carlos forced himself to relax as he lay in the tube, only sighing softly when the procedure was finished and he was returned to the gurney, "Mister Nieto, we're going to admit you and let you get some rest while these results are processed," Carlos heard a kind voice say. "I know it's been a long day for you, so just relax if you can."

Carlos nodded and kept very quiet as he was moved to a patient room and hooked to all the necessary things. Soon enough, Holly came into the room with a gingerale and a straw.

"The doctor said I could give you this," Holly said as she gently removed the mask and offered the straw to him as he lay there in a semi-upright position. "It'll fill your stomach a bit."

Carlos smiled tiredly, "Thank you," he replied, gently taking hold of the straw with his mouth.

Holly smiled as he drank most of the large glass, "I should sleep," Carlos spoke tiredly.

As Carlos drifted off, Holly nodded and gently kissed his forehead, "I'll be here," she whispered.


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