Again, my knowledge of drug addiction and withdrawal is limited. And this story is asking for short chapters at the moment.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

While Dr. Huang examined Bobby, Alex cleaned the bathroom. It gave her something to do besides hover and worry, and, although she was nearing exhaustion, the physical activity dispelled some of her anger at the doctors, the NYPD, herself, and she admitted, Bobby. She occasionally heard a low murmur from the bedroom. "Well," she thought as she scrubbed the bathtub. "At least Bobby doesn't seem to be angry. Oh, God…What's going to happen?" She finished cleaning the bathroom, and as softly as she could she knocked on the bedroom door. Huang responded, "Come in."

It was evening, and the room was dark except for a lamp on the table next to Bobby's bed. Bobby, his eyes closed, lay back on his pillows. Huang had bandaged the gash on his head, and Bobby was nearly as white as the bandage.

"I've given him something that will help keep him calm for a while," Huang said. "But we need to get him to the hospital. How long has he been going through withdrawal?"

"I don't know," Alex said wearily. "I dropped him off here about this time last night. I should've stayed with him…"

"Don't beat yourself up, Detective Eames," Huang said gently. "You didn't know…And if you'd stayed with him, he might not have gotten rid of the drugs. It wasn't the smartest way to deal with an addiction, but at least he recognized that he was addicted and acted in a way that shows he wants to stop. I've arranged for a place for him at Bellevue. Both rehab and with the torture victims center."

Bobby stirred slightly and moaned.

"Does he have to?" Alex knew the answer even as she asked the question.

"I'm afraid so," Huang replied. "It's too dangerous for him to go through this by himself."

Alex's head throbbed. "How are we going to get him there?"

"I think we can drive him," Huang replied. "I think we can do this as quietly as possible. Keep things as uncomplicated as possible. I'm not an advocate of secrecy…But I'm a great advocate of privacy."

"I'm a mess…I'd like to take a shower," Alex said. "Do I have the time?"

Huang glanced at Bobby. "I think so…"

"Good…I trust you won't let the NYPD know that Bobby and I keep a change of clothes at each other's place…"

Huang half smiled. "My lips are sealed."

Alex found her duffel bag in the hall closet. She went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, shed her dirty clothes, and stepped under the hot water. She thought she might collapse or at least shed a few tears, but she only felt numb and tired. She almost wished she could cry. She let the hot water run over her and scrubbed her skin until she at least felt clean. She briefly enjoyed the water when it began to cool, and then turned off the shower. She dried herself with one of the big, fluffy towels Bobby favored, combed her hair, dressed, and knocked on the bedroom door.

"Eames," she heard Bobby's voice cry. She hurried in.

"See," Huang said gently. "I promised you that Detective Eames would be back."

Bobby's great, dark eyes were filled with a desperate sadness. "I…I'm sorry…I woke up…And you weren't here…"

"I'm here now," Alex said gently. He hand hovered over Bobby's head. He turned his head towards her hand, and Alex let it touch his head. He trembled at her touch, but moved deeper into it. His thickening beard was remarkably soft.

"Dr. Huang says I have to go back to the hospital," Bobby said.

"Yea." Alex rested her hand on his head.

"You…You'll…"

"I'll come with you," Alex declared. "Nothing will keep me away."

"Thank you." Bobby's voice broke her heart. He turned to Huang. "Ok…I'm ready…"

Alex didn't know what medications Huang had given Bobby, but they left him quiet and malleable. He didn't seem to be in any pain, but he shivered occasionally, and a small, crimson patch appeared on the bandage on his head.

"That's going to need stitches," Huang said. "And we need to make sure you didn't get a concussion."

"I think," Bobby said wryly. "That's the least of my problems."

Alex packed a bag for Bobby with a few essentials. She and Huang managed to get Bobby in her car.

"He…He's so…So quiet…" Alex said as they started to leave.

"An effect of what I gave him," Huang said. "And he's exhausted. It won't last, and I hope we can get him to the hospital before it wears off."

They made it to the hospital just in time. Bobby became increasingly agitated through the trip. He tried not to show his growing pain and fear, but he shivered more frequently and violently. The bright lights of other cars and the streetlights were a particular torture for him. They finally arrived at the hospital, and Bobby stared up at it.

"It's not going to be easy," Huang said gently. "But it'll be better here than struggling by yourself. I promise you…It'll be better."

"Bobby." Alex opened the back door. "Dr. Huang is telling you the truth."

Bobby swallowed. "You…You'll stay with me?"

"I will," Alex promised.

"Ok…"

END CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE