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Chapter Eleven – Letter Bomb

"Come on, surely it's time?" Asked Colby, giving Doctor Vassen his most winning smile.

Rolling her eyes at him she replied "You don't give up do you?"

He shook his head in response. "Nope."

The doctor turned to David and Don looking for some assistance but the two men decided to keep out of it not wanting to incur the wrath of a cabin fever suffering Colby. To say he was beginning to behave like a caged animal was possibly an understatement.

"The surgery was only 9 days ago, you've only been up and about for 4 of those, even then that has been for a limited period."

"I'll discharge myself."

"That would not be wise. If you're going to leave here you need to do it with the support of the medical team and we will need to arrange out patient appointments for you."

"Then arrange them. I have to get out of here, I'm going crazy sitting around this room all day."

Sighing with frustration Doctor Vassen replied "You know it's not quite that easy. Anyway even if you're not in the hospital you need to be resting."
"Fine, I'll rest, you can give me a schedule for it if you like, just let me outta here." He could sense the doctor waiver and was determined to get his own way. "I won't stop until you do."

"Alright, but you are absolutely not being discharged today. I will come by tomorrow morning and if I am satisfied that your health will not be compromised by releasing you…." A grin started to spread across Colby's face when the doctor raised her hand. "Before you get carried away I will need convincing that you have found someone to stay with and who will be willing to bring you into the hospital every other day for at least a week. We will discuss this again tomorrow morning." With that the doctor left the room, secretly she was pleased that he was doing so well, but he really could be a pain.

Don and David exchanged glances, neither of them had broached the subject of what would happen once Colby was discharged. Even if the doctor didn't feel he needed to have someone with him there was still the question of protection.

"Colby, where are you going to stay?" David raised an eyebrow at his partner, knowing he hadn't thought this through.

"That's no problem."

"No?" Asked Don sceptically.

"I'll be staying at my apartment."

"Uh huh. What about the part where you're supposed to be staying with someone?"

"I'll find someone, anyone, anything to get out of here."

"OK, reality check here dude. Firstly you need someone to keep an eye on you, don't look at me like that, its doctor's orders." Stated David "Secondly, are you forgetting about the threats? Your apartment would not be the best place for you right now even if you were at the peak of fitness. Luckily for you Don and I have already talked about this…."

"Oh, you have eh? I am not going into a safe house, no way."

"Will you let me finish!" Colby glared at him, not sure he was going to like where this was going, but he remained silent and allowed David to continue. "We discussed it and we think the best thing would be if you came to stay at my place."

"Yours, with you?"

"No, with Claudia… of course with me!"

"Aw, now that you've mentioned Claudia… can I stay with her instead?"

"That's it, Don, you deal with him."

Don had been watching the exchange with some amusement. "Colby, come on be serious for a minute man. We really do think this is the best way, nobody will know you're at David's except the team. One of us will be with you all the time."

Colby's attitude grew more sober, his tone becoming one of frustration. "I appreciate it, I really do," he said turning to David "but I hate this. I'm no longer in control of my own life. I'm putting the people I care about in danger."

"Hey man, you'd do the same for any one of us. Just let us help you. Please?" David cajoled.

Sighing, Colby nodded his agreement. "OK."

Relieved the other 2 agents relaxed, at least they knew Colby would be protected, even if they didn't know from what, exactly.

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It was a very happy Colby that got dressed ready to leave the hospital the next morning. He thanked the medical team that had saved his life profusely. He had seen Doctor Vassen, who had given both himself and David the list of do's and don'ts, including how much rest he should be getting, provided him with pain meds and the instructions on how many and when to take them along with a list of his outpatient appointments.

"If you are concerned at any time then call the hospital." This last was directed at David as she doubted her patient would pick up the phone and admit there was a problem.

"I will Doctor Vassen. Thanks for patching him up, he's a pain in the ass, but he's ours!" He winked at her and she smiled back, shaking her head, part of her was going to miss Colby and his friends, but as always she was happy to watch a patient get up and walk out.

"Thanks again Doc." Colby shook her hand and pulled her forward to plant a kiss on her cheek causing her to blush.

"You're welcome, now get out of here before I change my mind."

They walked away from the nurses' station to the elevators.

"Oh man, you are lucky Jasmine wasn't here to see that."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah come on, don't pretend you don't know! Jasmine is crazy about you."

"We're friends, that's all, I can't have a girlfriend in my life right now, not with all this going on, she wouldn't be safe."

David nodded, he understood, if the situation were reversed he would be terrified of something happening to Claudia. "But if this were over…?"

"I dunno, maybe." Colby allowed himself a small smile.

The elevator doors opened and David turned to his friend. "Come on, let's get you outta here."

"Don't have to tell me twice." They got on the elevator and left the hospital to go to David's apartment.

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Colby had been to David's apartment lots of times but had never stayed over. He followed him into the spare room where David placed his bag on the bed.

"Do you need a hand unpacking?"

"Nah, I think I can manage that."

"OK, if you need anything just let me know."

"Thanks man."

He then left the room closing the door behind him. He had been watching his partner closely since they left the hospital and he was already showing signs of fatigue.

Colby unpacked his things and then lowered himself gently down on to the bed, he'd just stretch out for a few minutes…

David checked on him a little while later and smiled to see that he had fallen fast asleep. He decided to let him rest, the doctor had said this might happen and if he needed to sleep then he shouldn't fight it. Closing the door again he went to call Claudia. The woman never ceased to amaze him with her patience and understanding. Having Colby here would mean that it wasn't safe for her to come over but when he had broached the subject she hadn't hesitated to support him. She had said that if Don was with Colby then David could head over to hers and stay. It was an arrangement that, whilst not ideal, would work on a temporary basis.

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Colby woke with a start, at first he was disorientated and didn't remember where he was, but it only took a few seconds to realise he was at David's. He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep like that, he must have been more tired than he had thought. Getting up he headed to the guest bathroom to freshen up then went in search of David. He found him in the kitchen making some lunch.

"Hey sleeping beauty." David grinned at him.

"Oh nice, pick on the defenceless injured man."

"Please, injured yes, defenceless no, you've still got your gun! Do you want some lunch?"

"Yeah, that would be good, thanks."

"Go sit yourself down and I'll bring it out."

"I can carry a plate you know, I'm not completely useless."

"Nobody said you were but there's someone waiting in the sitting room to see you." Smiled David.

Colby headed into the sitting room thinking it must be Don or Megan since nobody but the team, and Claudia, were supposed to know he was here. When he walked through the door he saw Megan and Liz sitting on the sofa opposite Jasmine, as he entered the room, she stood up and smiled.

"Well hello stranger." Jasmine had been going nuts shut away in the safe house with Megan and Liz. She hadn't been allowed to visit Colby since she had been whisked off from the hospital, though they had talked on the phone. The agents had finally caved and agreed that she could visit him once he was safely ensconced with David. They felt the risk to the pair was less as only a handful of people knew where Colby was now.

"Hey yourself." He leant down and gave her a peck on the cheek, then turned to Megan and Liz, he nodded in greeting.

"Good to see you up and about Granger." Said Liz, Megan nodded in agreement.

"Thanks, it feels good."

Just then David entered the room and placed food down on the table in front of them. "Help yourselves." He turned and headed back to the kitchen, Colby went to follow him to help, but Jasmine grabbed his hand.

"Sit down and rest, I'll help David." She smiled and went into the kitchen, coming out a few minutes later carrying a tray of drinks.

Once David joined them the five tucked in to the food provided, Colby happy to be eating anything that wasn't hospital food.

For the next hour or so there was much laughter as they bought each other up on the latest news in each of their lives.

Liz filled them in on what she had been doing since she had moved from Don's team, she was now back working with the drug unit and was telling them about the team members. She was really happy with her current team, but still missed the camaraderie their team shared, not to mention the visits to the Eppes house.

Megan had Colby trying hard not to split his stitches as she told him about Larry's latest escapades at Cal Sci. He would never understand that particular pairing, but it worked and they were very happy together.

Jasmine told him about the boutique and how she had got a friend to go in as a partner, it had been difficult as she wasn't allowed to know where Jasmine was, but with the use of the internet, safely secured and set up with the help of the FBI techs, they had managed to choose the stock together. Megan had agreed that she would go with Jasmine the next day to the boutique and allow her some time to set up ready to open in a few weeks. After all life still went on.

David happily sat back and watched his friend truly relax for the first time since he came round in hospital. He knew that having Jasmine, Liz and Megan to visit would be a good idea, just the distraction that was needed. Throughout the time the others were there he had been keeping a watchful eye, looking for signs that Colby was beginning to tire, after a couple of hours he saw the first indication when he winced as he moved. David nodded discreetly at Megan who understood immediately.

"Right ladies, it's time to go I'm afraid. I think Colby needs to rest."

"I'm fine."

"She's right, we should get going." Jasmine stated. "It's been good to see you, I hope it won't be too long before I can see you again." She leant down and kissed his cheek gently. "Rest."

Liz and Megan said their goodbyes, thanked David for lunch then led Jasmine out of the building. As they got in the car she gave one last, longing glance towards the apartment, wishing that they could have stayed longer, yet knowing that it wasn't possible. This was it for now, a few snatched moments, but she knew their chance would come.

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The next day Don took Colby for the first of his outpatient appointments, Doctor Vassen had wanted someone to check on him after his first day out of hospital to ensure that he was following the instructions she'd given him and to check his wound was healing as it should. He was told it would be at least another week before he was able to have the stitches out and that he still had to be careful not to do anything to pull them.

On the way back to David's apartment they stopped and grabbed some lunch, after all they needed to eat and it was good for Colby to be out and about a little. It wasn't long before he became tired though and they headed back. He went straight to the bedroom and laid down, the doctor hadn't been joking when she said he'd feel tired, he was asleep as soon as his head made contact with the pillow.

Don went into the sitting room to carry on with some paperwork he had yet to finish, David was over at Claudia's having some down time but would be back shortly to relieve him.

Don heard a key in the door and got up to greet David as he came in.

"How'd it go?"

"Yup, no problems. How's Claudia?"

David smiled. "Good. It was nice to spend some time with her, thanks for taking Colby to the hospital."

"Hey, don't mention it. You have to put up with him more than me, least I could do was make sure he made his first appointment."

"Did he grumble?"

"Oh yeah. Didn't see why he had to go back to the hospital so soon. Poor nurse that checked him over couldn't wait to see the back of him."

"Well that's one way to get outta there fast I suppose." The two men chuckled.

"Right, I'm gonna get going, promised Dad I'd go over and have dinner with him and Charlie, but have to pop into the office first."

"Say hi to them for me."
"Will do, call if you need anything."

David walked Don to the door and locked it behind him. He then went to do some of his own paperwork. At least being at home with Colby meant that he was catching up on the admin side of his job, which they all hated.

He had been at it a couple of hours when he heard the door to the bedroom open, and a dishevelled looking Colby walked into the sitting room a few seconds later.

"Hey man, how ya feeling?"

"Better for having had that sleep, thanks. I didn't think going to the hospital and grabbing some lunch would be so tiring, plus that nurse knew no mercy when she started prodding me."

David allowed himself a smile. "From what Don said you gave that nurse a hard time."

"If I did, I didn't mean to. I just hate feeling so….."

"Weakened." Supplied David

"Yeah, and useless."

"You gotta cut yourself some slack dude. Give yourself time, listen to the medical staff and you'll be back to normal before you know it." He knew that it would drive him crazy if roles were reversed, so he tried to show some empathy.

"I know, you're right." Sighed Colby "How was Claudia, is she mad at me for monopolising your time?"

"She's good thanks, and no, how can she be mad at you when it's out of your control? I am sure you'll find a way to make it up to her next time one of us needs to stay back at the office." He smiled "Why don't I get started on dinner? Megan has said she'll pop over and I invited her to join us."

"Cool. Need a hand?"

"Nah, think I can manage, Alan sent over some meals so only need to reheat them in the oven."
"Excellent, love that man's cooking."

David grinned and headed into the kitchen.

Colby was about to lower himself into a chair when the doorbell rang, unlike his apartment David's was open fronted, no secure entry system.

"I'll get it, gotta be Megan." He turned to the front door, and being the cautious FBI agent he was looked through the peephole. It wasn't Megan standing the other side, in fact Colby didn't recognise the guy. He was wearing a delivery company uniform. Odd, David hadn't mentioned he was waiting for anything.

"Yo, man, you expecting a delivery?"

"What? Can't hear you. Hang on…"

Colby turned to walk towards the kitchen, he wasn't opening the door until he confirmed with his partner all was on the up and up. As David came out of the kitchen there was a loud noise and both men were knocked off their feet, and showered with wood, concrete and glass. David was thrown into the wall and his head hit with a resounding thud, knocking him out cold. Colby was thrown forward onto a wooden table which disintegrated as he landed on it, the air knocked out of him. He knew an explosion when he heard and felt one, pausing for just a second he turned onto his back, quickly assessing the situation. There was a gaping hole where the door and window had once been, they were laying in pieces around him. Whatever had exploded had caused extensive damage to the front of the apartment, but luckily there was no fire, at least not yet. He wasn't going to wait around to find out what had happened. Looking round he spotted David laying, unmoving, on the floor. Getting carefully to his feet he picked his way over to his friend and checked his pulse, relieved to find he had one. He shook him gently, to no avail. Not stopping to wonder if he should, he bent down and pulled David up on to his feet and then draped the unconscious man over his shoulder, he had not time to worry about any injuries either of them had sustained, he just knew he had to get them out. Taking a moment to steady himself he turned back towards where the door had once been, paying careful attention, checking to see there was nothing he could trip over or that could fall on them, then he made his way slowly outside.

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Megan pulled into the parking lot outside David's apartment, she was just stepping out of her car when the sound of what could only be a small incendiary device going off had her ducking for cover. As soon as she was sure that there was no danger, none of the flying debris had made it across the lot, she pulled herself to her feet and simultaneously started running for the building and calling dispatch. She announced who she was and demanded back up, LAFD, paramedics and that a message be passed to Don to get to her location yesterday. Not waiting to hear confirmation of her request she made it to the bottom of the stairwell only to see Colby slowly and carefully making his way down, she might have been relieved if he didn't have the body of his partner draped over his shoulders. Hurrying up the stairs she guided him down the rest of the way and helped him lay David down.

"What the hell happened?" she asked as she knelt down beside the prone man and checked him for any bleeding. He had a nasty looking cut on the back of his head where it had struck the wall and a vicious looking piece of wood sticking out of his right arm, but other than that she couldn't find any external damage.

His ears were still ringing from the noise and her voice was muffled, but he got the idea of what she wanted to know. "I dunno, some guy rang the bell, the next thing I'm face down in David's hall and he's out cold. If I had to guess the guy was delivering something which blew up in his face, quite literally."

"Are you OK? Are you hurt?"

He coughed, the dust from the explosion had irritated his lungs, but nodded. "I'm ok Megan."

Before she could respond the sound of sirens approaching stopped her. She looked up to see LAFD screeching to a halt, closely followed by Don in his SUV, he had barely turned off the engine before he was out and across the lot, reaching them seconds after an LAFD medic. Megan stepped aside allowing the medic to look after David. The medic rapid fired some questions in Colby's general direction, responding in kind he then stepped to one side as well, joining Megan and Don.

"Col, are you alright, you're shivering?" Don's voice was laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'm OK."

Not convinced Don headed to his SUV and came back with an FBI sweatshirt. "You left this behind earlier, put it on."

Grateful for something warm to wear over his thin black t-shirt Colby pulled it on over his head, just managing to hide the wince of pain that crossed his face as he did so. The movement seemed to set off his coughing again, which did not go unnoticed by the nearby LAFD medic. Once David was secured on a backboard and loaded into the ambulance the medic approached the three agents.

"I think you'd better come in and get checked over."

"Thanks, but not necessary, I'm fine." Unfortunately for Colby his body disagreed and he was once more wracked by a coughing fit.

"Uh huh, that's why you sound like you've just smoked 20 cigarettes."

"Go. We'll be along shortly, once we're sure the scene is secure and the techs have arrived."

Looking balefully at Don, Megan and a determined LAFD medic he thought it prudent not to argue for the time being, besides he wanted to make sure his partner was alright and the longer they stood there debating the more time passed in getting David to the hospital. Nodding he followed the medic to the ambulance and climbed in. In no time at all they were at the hospital, they whisked David to a trauma room and left Colby to book them both in at reception. Left to his own devices, however, the only details he passed over were David's.

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An hour later Don and Megan entered the ER and found Colby sitting waiting.

"Any news?"

"Not yet."

"Did someone take a look at you?"

"Yup, I'm fine." He lied.

Megan didn't look convinced, he had multiple cuts to his face and hands which, though only small, didn't look like they'd been treated, before she could call him on it a doctor approached.

"Agent Granger?"

"Doctor Jensen? Didn't expect to see you, do you ever go home?"

"It seems I'm destined to be in the ER whenever you or a colleague come in."

"You're treating David, how is he?"

"Yes, I am. He's fine. Conscious, if a bit groggy. He has a concussion and we had to remove a piece of wood from his upper right arm for which he has received stitches, a slight loss of hearing, but that should correct itself over the next couple of days. We're going to keep him in overnight, but merely as a precaution. Would you like to see him?"

"Yeah, that would be great, thanks Doc."

They followed him through to the trauma room.

The three agents still standing gathered round his bed.

"Hey David, how are you doing?"

"Had better days Megan, but I'm told I'll live."

"So we hear, good news." Smiled Don.

"Can't get rid of me that easily." He looked over at Colby "You OK?"

"Yeah."

David thought his partner looked rather pale for someone who was OK, but decided not to press the point, they'd both been through a bit of an experience and he was still recovering from the surgery.

Colby was relieved to see that his partner was alright. He felt the adrenaline that had been coursing through his body since the explosion start to ebb. He listened to the conversation between his friends, realising that, even with his slightly impaired hearing, their voices were beginning to sound far off. He started coughing again and was shocked to realise that it hurt, he hadn't noticed that before. What was going on? Putting his hand on his torso, where he had been cut open to stop the internal bleeding and remove his spleen, he realised that his clothes felt wet, and looking down saw blood on his hand. Now he knew that wasn't right. Ah crap, he was going to get into big trouble for this. He turned to get someone's attention, but before he could open his mouth, he passed out in a heap on the floor.