Chp. 4

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, it occurred to Alexx that she didn't know this child's name and he didn't know hers. She laughed at herself. "Oh, honey, where are my manners? My name's Alexx. What's yours?"

The kid looked at Alexx for a longtime before speaking words that again broke her heart. "I don't got one."

Alexx looked aghast at this and almost didn't believe it. But she gently prodded him once again. "What do you mean, 'you don't have one'?"

The kid looked at his feet. "Mandy ant haw boyfwiend jut cawded me bad words."

Alexx was holding the boy and he couldn't see her face; which was just as well because she was crying for him and what he had endured. She didn't speak again until she'd regained her composure. Then she said. "Well, how about Sam? Does that sound like a good name?"

He looked at her for the first time and smiled. "Sam sounds good, miss Alwexx."

She laughed and shook her head, "Just Alexx, baby; just call me Alexx."

Sean smiled again and it warmed her heart. Alexx heard a siren coming from down the block and looked up. "Looks like our rides here, Sam. Want me to carry you?" she asked, and he nodded.

She smiled. "Ok, baby."

000

Horatio watched them go and pulled out his cell to make the necessary calls to ensure that Sean's hospital stay didn't traumatize him further. After calling the hospital, he called Jack. Once the scene was secured and the suspects taken away, SWAT left it in the hands of regular officers and CSIs. The phone rang three times before he answered.

"Caine."

"Jack, its dad. I need a favor."

"Name it." Jack said.

"Would you check on Alexx and Sam, please?"

Jack smiled; he'd been planning to do just that anyway. "I was planning on it anyway."

"I thought so; thanks, Jack."

"Anytime. See ya." Jack said, hanging up.

Jack looked around the apartment for a moment before going back to the bedroom to finish dressing. He put on jeans, a button down light blue oxford dress shirt and worn but serviceable timberland hiking boots. Then he went to the closet and removed a large black duffel bag, with POLICE stenciled in white on it. He knelt down and reached under the bed, removing a Mossberg 590 special purpose twelve gauge pump shotgun. The weapon held nine rounds of twelve gauge triple ought buckshot. He placed the weapon in the bag, along with two boxes of spare shells. Then he went his gun safe in one corner of the room and removed a Glock 26 9mm, five magazines and a box of fifty hollowpoint bullets. He put the pistol and ammunition in the bag as well, and left the apartment.

000

Alexx held Sam the entire ride to the hospital. She could feel his head and breath on her chest, and she smiled down at him. He obviously felt safe enough with her to let his guard down, and she in turn, felt right for the first time in years. Several years earlier, Alexx's husband and children were killed in a head on collision with a drunk driver. When the ambulance arrived in front of the emergency room, Alex stepped out and was met by the attending physician. "Dr. Woods? Dr. Todd Morris, attending physician. Lieutenant Caine called me; if you'll follow me, we have a room set up for you."

"Thank you, Dr." Alexx said, following the man through a series of hallways to a secluded room, equipped with a bed and full bathroom. It looked more like a high end hotel room than a hospital room. "Call me if you need anything, Dr. Woods." Morris said as he left.

"Thank you, Dr."

When the doctor was gone, Alexx sat down on the bed and smiled at Sam. "I think you, young man, need a bath."

Sam's eyes widened with fear at the mention of a bath and Alexx felt rage rising within her, not at the child in her arms, but at the people who inspired such fear in a child that he was afraid to do anything. "Do you trust me, baby?" she asked.

He nodded and said meekly. "Yes, Alwexx."

"Do you trust me when I say that I won't hurt you?" she asked, looking him in the eye.

Sam considered the question for a longtime before answering with a question of his own. "Not ever?"

Alexx shook her head and fought to keep from crying. "Not ever, Baby."

Sam thought for a minute before saying anything. "What if I'm bad?"

This time, Alexx couldn't stop the tears and one rolled down her cheek; her voice shook slightly. "You couldn't ever be bad, baby." She said, smiling at him through her tears.

"But what if I was?" Sam asked, worry in his voice.

"I'll talk to you first before I do anything." Alexx said, sincerely.

Sam looked surprised. "You mean you won't hit me?" He asked.

A looked of horror crossed Alexx's face and she hugged him. "Never! That is the last thing I would ever do! Do you understand?" Alexx asked, looking him in the eye. Then she hugged him.

Sam nodded. "I understand, Alwexx."

They sat for a few minutes in silence, before Alexx stood up, with Sam in her arms. "Now, how about that bath?" Sam nodded yes in response. "Ok, sweetheart, I have to change you; I can't get you clean with your britches on. Is that ok?" Alexx asked.

Sam got that scared puppy look again, but then said, "Its ok, Alwexx."

She smiled at him. "Thank you, sweetie."

Alexx picked Sam up and laid him on the bed. She done a pediatric rotation in medical school and had changed her children, but she hadn't changed a diaper in several years. But it was like riding a bike, she figured. "Ok, it's been a while since I've done this, so bear with me." Alexx said, smiling down at him. Sam laughed at her.

"Oh, you think this is funny, huh?" She asked, tickling his stomach as she removed the soiled diaper and gently cleaned him. He cried a little because of the diaper rash, and Alexx gave him a look of sympathy. "I know it hurts, baby, but I'll make it better. I promise." Alexx said, soothingly and once again cursed those who'd hurt this poor child that she'd only known an hour, but was already willing to die for.

Sam squirmed some because of his rash and Alexx quickly finished cleaning him. Then she wrapped him a blanket she'd used as a changing pad and picked him up. Sam was sobbing now from the pain and Alexx walked the floor, rubbing his back and shushing him. "Shh, I know it hurts, baby, and I'm sorry." She said, with genuine sincerity.

"It…its…not you're…fault, Alwexx." Sam said, whimpering now as she carried him into the bathroom. Alexx turned on the water and grabbed some bubble bath and other supplies from the counter. She sat Sam on the floor, started the bath and put in the bubble bath and medicine. "Now, I know you're scared, but I won't hurt you." Alexx said, watching Sam for a reaction; he in turn watched her. Alexx turned off the water, picked Sam up and put him in the tub. Sam sat in the tube, but didn't move. "You ok?" Alexx asked and he nodded.

"Ok, let's see if we can't get some of that dirt off. You never know, there might just be a kid under there?" Alexx said, with a smile.

Sam giggled. "You silly, Alwexx."

She smiled at making him laugh. "Oh, I am, huh?" she asked. She would have said more, but she suddenly noticed the bruises on Sam's back; she checked his chest and found the same thing. Alexx got the same look on her face she did when she arrived at a scene and found that the victim was a child. Sam caught and looked at her with concern. "You sad, Alwexx?"

Alexx debated weather to lie to him, but then decided Sam had been lied to enough in his life. "I just don't like it that someone hurt you, baby. It makes me sad."

Sam looked down. "You mean my owies." Alexx nodded.

"It's ok, Alexx. You can fist dem, cause you a doctor."

Alexx looked heavenward. Why had God allowed this child to have such faith in her as to believe that she could fix everything that needed fixing. Fortunately, there was a knock at the door. Sam whimpered and Alexx squeezed his hand. "It's ok, baby, I'll keep you safe. Who is it?"

"Jackson Caine." Came the muffled reply; Jack decided to use his full name because he really didn't know the M.E. very well and didn't want to be confused with another Jack she might know.

Alexx smiled at Sam. "It's alright, baby. Jack's a policeman." She said as the door opened.

"Hey, doc, who's your friend?" Jack asked as he entered the room. Jack walked further into the room and dropped his duffel by the second bed. Alexx came in a minute later with Sam wrapped in a towel. "Jack, this Sam; Sam this is Jack. Can you say hi?" Sam had his head buried in Alexx's shoulder. "Its' ok sweetheart; he won't hurt you."

Sam raised his head and looked at her. "Pwomise?"

Alexx hugged him. "Promise."

Assured that he wouldn't be harmed, Sam turned to Jack and waved. "Hi, Mr. Jack."

"Hi, Sam, nice to meet you. Did they feed you yet?"

As if on cue, Sam's stomach growled. "No, Mr. Jack."

Jack laughed. "Just Jack, kid. I'll go see if I can't find you something to eat." He said, leaving the room.

"Jack's nice." Sam said, as Alexx re-diapered him and dressed him for bed. His eyes closed, but he opened them again and looked up at Alexx, hoping she didn't notice. "I think somebody's tired." She said, smiling and picking him up.

"I'm…not…sweepy." Sam said, forcing the words out between a yawn.

"I beg to differ." Alexx said. Sam didn't argue, instead lying his head on her chest. She sat on the edge of the bed and rocked him back and forth, softly humming a lullaby and he was soon fast asleep. She tucked him into bed, and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Goodnight, baby. Sleep tight."

Jack returned five minutes later with two cups of coffee, and vanilla pudding. Alexx pointed to the bed and put a finger to her lips. Jack nodded, walked to where she was sitting and handed her a cup. "I see you two bonded." He whispered, taking a sip of his drink.

Alexx shook her head. "Its just a shame the bastard who did this have the benefit of hiding behind our legal system."

Jack gave her a knowing look. "Not if I get to them first, Alexx."

000

A/N: I know this chapter might seem like filler, but it will get better. Thanks for reading. Just one question, does anyone think Alexx should adopt Sam, or would it be too cliché? Opinions are appreciated.