Note: I am posting this chapter a little earlier than the norm. I believe the glitch was fixed at the site, but if you missed chapters 21-24, you kind of need to read them before you read this one. I cannot thank everyone enough for your reviews. I smile each time I read one, and your feedback is so appreciated. There are two chapters left after this one. Thank you for your reviews since the last chapter to max 2013, ulstergirl, EastBlue (chapter 20), Tin Dog, Erin Jordan, Hero 76, EvergreenDreamweaver, BeeBe18, and hbndgirl. I believe that's everyone! Hope you all enjoy! I'll post the next chapter Tuesday.

The Secret Spaces

Chapter 25

"OW!" Joe grimaced as he stretched, effectively cutting off his yawn.

"You okay?" asked a concerned voice.

Joe opened up his eyes slowly and sucked in his breath. His side was throbbing and his leg had shooting pains running through it. He exhaled slowly and immediately noticed the sunlight streaming through the window in the room. He reached up and instinctively covered his eyes.

Without a word, Frank got up and closed the shade. "What can I get you?" he asked, standing by the bed. "Want me to see if the nurses are around? Do you need more pain medication?"

Joe finally focused. "That'd be great. Yeah," he responded.

Frank left the room and came back with a nurse a few minutes later. "How are you, young man?" she asked in a thick southern accent.

"I'm okay, thanks," he answered. "But I could use the medication, for sure." He gave a small smile.

The middle aged nurse returned the grin, handed him the pills and a cup of water, and recorded the medicine dosage on the chart. Then she looked at him and added, "Listen, sugar doll, you better take it easy now, ya hear?" she drawled. "A nurse will be back in a few hours to check on your wounds; maybe it'll be me if you're lucky. You may even be ready for a sponge bath." She winked at him.

Joe felt the color rise to his face as he watched Frank, with his tongue in his cheek, trying really hard not to laugh.

"Uh… I think I'm clean enough, thanks," he managed.

"Oh, I don't know, sugar," she replied. "You look like you're a dirty boy."

At that, Joe almost spit out his water as Frank started coughing loudly to hide his laugh, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes.

The nurse turned to him. "Honey bunny, I simply do not know why you're choking. Perhaps you'll need a little extra attention yourself?"

Frank looked startled, and now Joe found himself stifling a laugh.

"No…" Frank stammered. "I'm good."

The nurse eyed him up and down slowly. "Yes, Sir, I bet you are."

Joe guffawed as he watched his brother turn bright red.

The nurse looked at both of them and smoothed her hair. Then, she crossed her arms. "Listen, y'all," she said with the slightest glimpse of mischief in her eyes. "It's been up and down in crazy town since ya'll got here. There's been the po-lice and those agents all around. Our hospital has been turned into a ho-tel. Some crazy medical hoopla have been going on round here. I'm just glad that the people who are at the center of this craziness are the two of you cutie pa-tooties. It's sure a nice little ole distraction to have some pretty boys here. Ya'll call if you need anything, ya hear?" She left a minute later after reviewing Joe's chart.

"Well, that woke me up," Joe mumbled, and Frank laughed.

"What are you complaining about, dirty boy?" Frank teased, eyes twinkling.

"Shut up, pretty boy!" Joe countered. He sat up slowly and relaxed. "Where's Van?" he asked, noting his wife's absence.

"Oh. She said she wanted to give you some private time with Irma Wilhelmina," Frank replied with a straight face.

"Who?" Joe asked, confused.

"The nurse."

"Frank!" Joe exclaimed, exasperated. Then, he surprised himself as a laugh escaped his lips. "Tell me that's not her name," he managed.

"It is- I swear," Frank said with a chuckle. He finally sat down on a chair by Joe's bed. "To answer your question, Vanessa is with Callie right now. She wanted to see her."

"How's she doing?" Joe asked, more serious. "I'd like to see her myself."

Frank's smile faltered the smallest bit. "She's stable now, finally. She's just so weak. It's hard seeing her like that," he admitted in a soft voice.

"She's a fighter," Joe replied, reaching over to touch Frank's forearm. "I'm serious. Look at what she's been through. Look at how far she's come. She'll be fine," he assured Frank.

Frank took a deep breath. "Thanks, Joe."

"How's JJ?" Joe asked. He remembered seeing his nephew last night. He was tiny, but Frank had been correct- he was perfect. "I love that kid," he said without thinking.

Frank's smile returned. "Yeah, me too," he said. Then he continued, more serious. "He has to be watched pretty carefully. He'll have to have the little oxygen tubes for awhile, and he's slightly anemic. It's one of those things that have to be monitored closely. But thank God-he's doing pretty well."

"Well, yeah," Joe said without hesitation. "He's my nephew, obviously."

"I'm not even going to ask," Frank replied with a sigh.

"When can I hold him?" Joe asked, unable to contain his excitement.

"I don't know," Frank admitted, dejected. "That's the hardest part right now. We can't hold him until his body temperature regulates more. And he may be in the NIC-U for 3 or 4 weeks."

"No way," Joe replied, concerned.

"Yeah. Supposedly it's pretty standard. It just depends on his progress." Frank looked out the window in the distance. "It kills me not to hold him; Callie's never held him, and she's dying to. Whenever she manages to stay awake for a few minutes, it's all she's asked for, and I…" his voice cut out a bit, "I can't do that for her."

"Soon," Joe responded, squeezing Frank's arm.

"I still don't know how Callie got this sick, this quickly," Frank went on, sighing. "I'm just so grateful that I have a beautiful little baby and that she made it through the birth, that Dad's back, that Van's here, that you're okay. I know there are still dangers out there, but I just want to go home, you know?"

"I know," Joe answered. He was quiet for a few minutes, thinking. Frank's admission about Callie's condition triggered something in his mind. It only took a few minutes for it to come back to him.

"Frank," he said, not sure how to phrase his idea. "Is Cal back in the same room she started in?" he asked.

"Mmm hmm. Why?" he asked, curious.

Before Joe could answer, their father walked in the room. "Hey, uncle and daddy," he greeted them, wrapping an arm around Frank. "What's going on?" He stretched his sore body. As much as he'd been through, seeing his grandson had invigorated him, given him strength he didn't know he had.

"Where to start," Frank replied, dryly, and Fenton chuckled.

"I can't wait to hold him!" Fenton said joyfully. "There's nothing like holding your baby- nothing. And I can imagine that a grandbaby may even- dare I say- top that."

Frank turned to his dad and filled him in on everything he had just told Joe about his son and Callie.

"Speaking of Callie," Joe cut in. "I just wanted to discuss something with you, actually."

"Okay," Frank said, curious again. Fenton studied him as well.

Joe took a deep breath before he explained about "Dr. Weirdo," the feeling he gave to Vanessa and his mom, and then he related what he had seen with the nurses and their hurrying to the station last night.

"That's strange," Fenton agreed, "but what could it be? Officers are outside her room now, just as they were before. They're swarming around the hospital. Surely, there has to be a record of the man's identity. I'm sure we can find out. Then, we can ask him if he noticed Callie's pressure increasing when he saw her. Did he say anything?"

Joe furrowed his brow. "I think Van told me that he said he'd be keeping a close eye on Callie."

"As he should," Fenton added. But, seeing how uncomfortable Joe was, he added, "but Frank and I will find out. If anyone knew anything, at minimum, it would give answers to why Callie had problems, and hopefully avoid them in the future. How does that sound?"

"Thanks, Dad," he said. "I just don't like loose ends. I'd go, but…"

"You absolutely will not," Fenton adamantly replied. "Get some rest. We'll be back."

Joe nodded as he watched his father and brother turn to leave. He knew he wouldn't rest until he had answers.

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Under an hour later, Fenton returned to Joe's room, disturbed.

"What did you find out?" Joe asked, yawning.

"There was no doctor supposed to be on rounds last night around the time your mother and Vanessa spoke with that doctor," he answered, agitated. "Worse yet, Callie's normal doctor, the one in charge of her case, knew nothing of it."

Joe sat up straighter. "Okay," he replied at last, shocked. "Then who was it?"

"I don't know," Fenton answered. "But I will find out. Collig is speaking to the head of the hospital right now. No way should an unauthorized person have gotten past his men. They're going to pull video surveillance as well as interview some nurses who were there last night."

Before the conversation could further continue, Frank strode into the room, face pale, clearly upset.

"What's the matter?" Joe asked at once. He couldn't get used to seeing his unflappable older brother so shaken lately, as bad news seemingly kept him in its grasp. He didn't think he could handle it if everything was thrown at him ceaselessly as it was with Frank, and he marveled at how his brother hadn't had a mental breakdown by this point.

"I finally got the nurses to talk," he began. "I think they were scared I would sue them."

"Why would you sue them?" Joe asked.

"Because there was a major, major error with Callie's medication," Frank replied evenly.

"What type of error?" Fenton asked, almost afraid to know the answer.

"They checked her charts again-there was no indication of a dosage change," Frank replied quietly. "They're supposed to record everything, no matter how small," he went on. "Look at Joe. The nurse recorded Tylenol. But nothing- Callie's chart was blank."

"That's strange," Fenton agreed.

"Did they tell you why they looked so freaked out last night? Had they seen something?" Joe asked.

Frank struggled to maintain his composure, though his heart was pounding.

"Frank?" Fenton asked, concerned.

Frank blinked back tears. "Whoever was in Callie's room took her off antibiotics, which she sorely needed. Now she's at very high risk for infection. Then he… he switched her IV to Pitocin."

Joe looked at him blankly. "What's that?"

"Callie was supposed to be on medication to stop her contractions. Every day she held onto the baby was better for her and for him. And it was working. But that medicine-" Frank took a deep, shaky breath and Joe saw he was on the edge of losing it. "It INDUCES labor."

Joe gasped as Fenton's eyes grew wide.

"Not only that," Frank went on, "it has serious side effects if it's not monitored. It wasn't," he went on, flatly. "It caused severe cramping and bleeding. It made Callie's blood pressure skyrocket. It caused her to have an irregular heartbeat and to have difficulty breathing. And it almost KILLED her." His voice was shaking in fear and rage, and his hands were balled into fists.

"My God," Fenton said, stunned, but Joe couldn't take his eyes off his brother.

"And my child is now being monitored for any number of illnesses and long term side effects."

Fenton walked to Frank, resting a hand on his back, and could feel him trembling.

"This- bastard- has targeted my family," he continued, voice rising. "And now my wife is still fighting for her life and my baby- my THREE POUND little baby- is…" He turned away from Joe and Fenton, his stomach turning, fury filling his veins.

Joe suppressed a moan as he forced himself out of bed and managed to finagle himself into the wheelchair.

"Frank," Fenton began, but Joe cut him off. "Leave him alone, Dad," Joe cautioned. He was scared for his sister in law and nephew, but even more- Frank looked like he was about to erupt. He was way past consolation, and Joe didn't blame him a bit.

At that moment, Collig burst in the room. "Bad news," he announced solemnly. "The guy was a doctor, but an unauthorized one. We got his picture." Collig's face reflected his anger. "He was on staff in reserve. No prints on file- they were supposedly burned in an accident. The ID stated his name was Topher Biass. Sound familiar? He headed out of the NIC-U less than 30 minutes ago."

Frank's face went white, and Collig turned to him. "He didn't get in. A nurse refused him entrance- security is tight there. Frank- it's Christopher Tobias." He held out a picture.

Frank could barely process what was in front of him. He had expected to feel anything other than what he did when he saw the picture- he knew that guy. But- from where?

Joe and Fenton stared at the picture as well, and then Frank gasped. Joe got it about 10 seconds after his brother. "No. No no no no..." Frank repeated, shaking. He turned quickly, grabbed the first thing he saw, which happened to be the remote control for the tv, and threw it violently against the wall. His face, still white, reflected a fury Joe had never seen before. He pushed past his father and Collig and burst through the door.

"What the hell?" Collig asked. "I know he's upset, but-"

"But?" Joe interjected, fiercely protective of his brother. "BUT?" he repeated angrily. "He has every right to be pissed. To be devastated. That animal destroyed or tried to destroy his life. He loves Callie more than anything. He's scared to death about his baby!" Joe couldn't control his anger and frustration which, he realized, was partially directed at himself. He should have said something earlier. And, damn it, it was killing him that he couldn't be with Frank, not to comfort him, but to protect him. Because he knew what Frank was going to do.

"I know, Joe," Fenton replied, trying to calm him.

"No- you don't!" Joe countered, holding back his own tears. "Because Frank and I saw that "doctor" before- only for a minute."

"What? Where?" Collig asked, grabbing for his radio.

"Several days ago," Joe explained in disbelief. "Coming out of Johnny Geller's room- less than an hour before he died."

"Oh, no," Fenton murmured.

"I'm sending some officers to the morgue," Collig stated immediately. "I assume there was an autopsy, and I need the results, STAT." He turned to Joe. "I'm sorry, son," he replied to Joe. "I hope we're wrong."

"You're not," Joe managed. He looked at the men before him. "I can't move," he stated honestly, sick with frustration. "But you need to find Frank. I'm telling you- he's going after Tobias."

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Frank ran through the hallways, blinded with rage. He knew it'd be minutes before Joe made the connection to Johnny and before Collig sent his men to find him.

It was as if everything fell into place in his mind as he ran. A half hour out of the NIC-U. He was still in the hospital- Frank knew it. He'd targeted Callie and JJ, but they weren't the main objective, which almost made him choke. His precious family was simply collateral damage to get at his father. And so was Johnny- to get to Callie- to get to him- and ultimately to his father. And Callie hadn't vocalized it, but he knew her so well- she felt soul crushing guilt that Johnny had died protecting her. But maybe that wasn't how Johnny had died at all.

He felt sick.

Tobias sure as hell would be after his dad and Collig. He wasn't done. Animals like him were relentless. And if he was there, why wouldn't Cotnig be there, too?

Frank pushed his way through the stairwell. His father had been spending a lot of time on the 10th floor, where all the meeting rooms were- and it happened to be two floors down from the NICU and exactly where his mother would be, as she was generally with his father. And if he knew that- Tobias would, too. He had seen her- and Vanessa, but she was with Callie under heavy protection right now. Tobias would be going after his mother. He felt it.

Frank ran up the stairs, enjoying the painful burning in his legs and lungs as he moved at record speed. And then he saw him, about to exit the stairwell on the 10th floor.

Before Tobias could even turn around, Frank grabbed his jacket, and, having the element of surprise on his side, flung him with all his might to the ground. Tobias grunted, wind knocked out of him.

"Hardy," he managed to sneer as he tried to move from Frank's vise-like grip. He looked him in the eye, and Frank knew he was looking into the eye of evil. "How're your wife and baby?" he gasped. "Dead yet?"

And then, Frank snapped. Reaching back, he hit him in the face, harder than he had ever punched anyone or anything. Blood went flying all over the place as he heard the sickening crunch of Tobias's nose. And then he punched him again. And again. And again. And again. It went on and on, and all he saw was the white light of fury.

Before he knew what was happening, he felt arms pulling him back. It took a full three officers to pry him off Tobias. "Stop! Frank, enough. Stop!" they shouted at him. But he couldn't stop, still swinging wildly with reckless abandon.

Finally, he was shoved against a wall and, to his shock, handcuffed. "STAY THERE!" an officer bellowed and shoved him down.

It took a full five minutes for him to sink back into himself as the fight finally left him. Doctors, officers- they were surrounding Tobias, throwing him on a stretcher. He was covered in blood- broken teeth on the floor, face so swollen he was virtually unrecognizable. Frank managed to look down at his own clothing, soaked in blood, and he realized without even consciously knowing it that he'd broken or seriously sprained his hand. The pain felt good.

As the chaos surrounded him, he saw Pat Merkel kneel next to him in disbelief. "I'm going to uncuff you now," he said directly to him. "If you so much as move in the wrong direction, they're going back on. Understand?"

Frank nodded, staring at Tobias being rushed into the hall. He jumped in pain when he felt the handcuff press against his wrist, and, when he was able to move his hands in front of him at last, he wasn't even surprised that his right hand was double its normal size, knuckles so swollen they looked like small balloons.

Pat touched his shoulder. "Holy shit, Frank. What happened to the cool and collected martial arts?"

"I wasn't feeling Zen," he answered without humor. "Is he dead?"

"Damned close to it, but no," Pat answered.

"Too bad," Frank answered flatly.

"Come on," Pat said, and helped Frank to his feet. "You need to see a doctor now about that hand."

Frank just nodded.

"I thought Joe was the hothead in the family," Pat went on. "Too bad he wasn't here now and totally healthy."

"Why?" Frank questioned. "He wouldn't have stopped me."

Pat put an arm around Frank. "You're right. But he would have helped you get the son of a bitch before you had to go and break your hand."

Frank turned to him, shocked.

"And maybe, just maybe, I would have arrived with reinforcements five minutes later," he went on without remorse. "And that might have been after you'd killed him. That would have been too bad."

Frank managed a smile. "Yeah. That would have been terrible."

Frank gave a final nod at Pat, and they walked together silently, united in understanding.

Timing, as always, was everything.