Chapter 9:
*"Within the small sphere of our lives we can stare into the past, but all we can really change is our future." - Dr. Larry Fleinhardt
Season 5, Episode 11: Arrow of Time*
*Later That Afternoon*
"Has there been any Change?" Nick asked Don wearily from the doorway of Robin's dark hospital room, but Don didn't answer. Alan had warned Nick that Don was a little…unresponsive at the moment but Nick hadn't believed it because Don was the strong one…that was just the way it had always been, at least since the two had first met back at Quantico.
Shuffling a little further into the room, Nick accidently let go of the large helium balloon he was holding and winced as it squeaked and skidded its way across the celling before catching in the corner of the room, twisting so that the only part of the message that was legible was the word 'better'. Nick couldn't help but feel like the balloon was mocking him with the question: 'Better?' as the glow from the TV washed over his best friend's stony and impassive features.
Perhaps the balloon hadn't been the brightest nor most original of ideas, but all the teddy bears in the hospital's small shop had been for new-borns and the last thing either Robin or Don needed to be reminded of was the loss of their child…the family that almost was.
"Your father said the surgery was a success," Nick told the room, or at least that was how it felt as Don continued to stare blankly ahead at the flashing images on the TV screen and ignored Nick's presence completely. "He said that her wound…that it looks…better…" Nick ploughed on as the balloon winked and taunted him from the corner of the room as his hooded gaze swept over Robin, who had yet to wake up from the anaesthetic. Her hair fell in lank clumps around her pale and bruised face and her body was twisted awkwardly beneath the rough cotton blankets so that the bandages covering her shoulder and bum were easily accessible for changing. It couldn't be comfortable and yet the look on Robin's face was almost peaceful…Nick wondered what Don saw when he looked at Robin, he couldn't even begin to wonder at the pain that must be twisting at Don's gut. He was just grateful he didn't have to imagine because his own wife was at home waiting for him…probably cursing how late it was…
"How's the investigation going?" Don asked tightly, making Nick start as images of the courthouse and Robin flashed on the TV's small screen.
"We've come across a potential lead," Nick replied uncertainly, the spark of anger in Don's eyes unnerving him as a rolling banner scrolled along the bottom of the screen, identifying Robin as the only surviving victim of the courthouse bombing, whose identity had until a hour ago been a mystery.
"The bomber?" Don asked quickly as he stood up fast and rounded on Nick, who in turn took an unsteady step backwards, the air between them charged.
"Maybe," Nick held his hands up defensively as Don stormed closer.
"I want to be there."
"No," Nick replied firmly as he pressed a hand against his SAIC's chest to keep Don back. "Don, you know I can't let you…besides it's complicated…like I said it's probably a lead…maybe."
"Maybe?" Don replied resentfully as he stepped back, letting Nick's hand fall as he turned his face away; the anger burning in every muscle.
"Don," Nick whispered upset but Don was already walking away, back to Robin's side.
"I think you should go now," Don replied quietly, his gaze averted as tears dripped silently down his rough cheeks.
"Don, I-" Nick tried but he couldn't find the words to make things better. There just weren't any.
"Get out," Don interrupted angrily, this time his tone low and guttural.
"Please Don," Nick pleaded as this time he took an unsteady step forwards as he laid a shaking hand upon Don's shoulder.
"I SAID GET OUT!" Don roared as he snapped his head to face Nick, hatred burning in his hooded gaze as spit flew loose, hitting Nick squarely on the cheek. "Please! Just Go!" Don added quietly, his voice rough and scratchy with emotion, emotion that Nick hated to see and hear. Don was breaking slowly in front of him, and Nick was helpless to stop it…
"No!" Nick shouted back just as roughly as he grabbed hold of his oldest friend and pulled him tightly against the hard contours of his chest and continued to hold on tight as Don fought him furiously before melting into a shuddering and grieving mess. "Shh," Nick whispered softly as Don desperately tried to hide his face from Nick as Nick rubbed comfortingly at Don's shoulders, making him cry harder. "It's ok," Nick assured Don as Don rubbed furiously at his red eyes and did his best to hold back the straggled sobs. "Things might not look better right now," Nick whispered tightly. "But they will get better, you'll see," Nick promised with more confidence than he felt as Don stepped back and nodded weakly in reply.
"Just nail the son of a bitch," Don told Nick sternly before turning away and sitting back down in the chair by Robin's bed as if nothing had happened, the odd tear and occasional sniff the only further response Don would give until Nick eventually gave up and left.
*Break*
It wasn't a long drive to the cemetery from Stuart Watkins house but it had sure felt like it to Elliott. Squeezing his red Chevy into the last available spot in the Cemetery's small car park, Elliott breathed in a sigh of relief as he finally turned the ignition off and got out of the car. Besides from the occasional sniff and grunt, Stuart hadn't made a sound since leaving his house and Chris had taken it upon himself to fill the awkward silence with his inane chatter. El knew he had decided to give the kid a break but there was seriously only so much patience Elliott could hold onto.
"Does he always go on like this?" Stu asked El exasperated as he slanted his gaze at the young detective over the roof of the car before sending his gaze heavenward as if God had the answer.
"Do bears shit in the woods?" El grunted sourly as Claudia approached, closely followed by another woman dressed in blue overalls.
"Detective Morrison," Claudia greeted Chris with the slightest incline of her head before turning to face Elliott. "What's this all about El? I have triple homicide victims I should be autopsying right now."
"This is Stuart Watkins, Jane Doe's fiancé," Elliott gestured at Stu who was standing slightly apart from the strange gathering, his shoulders hunched and his rough hands buried in the pockets of his faded and paint stained jeans.
"Hello," Claudia greeted Stu as the artist reluctantly pulled a hand from his pocket to give her hand a quick shake. "I'm Dr Gomez, the LA county Coroner."
"How about we skip the introductions and get right down to how my family buried the wrong body?" Stu replied accusingly as he sniffed twice whist rubbing at his puffy red eyes before rounding that anger on El. "You brought me here, so how's about we get on with this?"
Stu had actually offered to come along, but the way El saw it the man was entitled to be pissed, that didn't mean, however, that he had to put up with it nor had any intention of doing so. "I'm Dr Amelia Galeotti," The uptight woman cut in, introducing herself before El could tell Stu as much. "I am a forensic anthropologist and consultant to the FBI," She informed Stu primly through an Italian accent. "I am here to confirm if there has indeed been a 'mix' up." She smiled coldly and not in a friendly way at all. Elliott got the impression from the short woman that she felt the whole exercise was a complete waste of her time. He just hoped she was wrong. They needed a break and Jane Doe…Chrissie Noland just might be that.
"We'll see," Colby grunted from behind, making everyone jump as they turned to look at the grim agent who was resting a couple shovels over his strong shoulder and Michael Burnett, who was dressed sharply in a pin stripped suit, every inch the lawyer.
"What's he doing here?" El asked Colby, who didn't exactly look happy at having to be within ten feet of Robin's assistant.
"Your warrant to exhume Chrissie Noland's body," Michael replied nonchalantly as he held out the warrant for El's inspection. If he was aware of the anger rolling off of Colby in waves he wasn't showing it…or just wasn't bothered by it. Elliott couldn't decide which.
"A warrant?" Stu asked perplexed, he was looking a little green in the face. "I already gave you permission…"
"I'm afraid as fiancé, your permission wasn't enough," Michael informed the ill looking artist as Elliott and then Chris gave the warrant a read. "Chrissie's parents were a little less forthcoming in giving their permission." Michael explained when they all looked none the wiser, his expression was the equivalent of a 'duh'.
"Didn't take much to convince a judge though," Colby chipped in, this time his anger directed at Claudia, who was sticking her chin out at him in petulant defiance.
"Let's get this done then," El replied as he pocketed the warrant and gestured for Stuart to take the lead, followed by Claudia and Dr Galeotti, then Chris and Michael, with El and Colby taking up the rear of their miserable looking procession. "What's up with you?" El asked Colby out the corner of his mouth, low enough that the others couldn't hear.
"S'nothing," Colby grumbled but it was clearly something.
"Are you and Claudia…you know?" El prodded again. It wasn't his place to pry but he knew Claudia had a crush on Colby and El didn't like the thought of her being messed around, she was like a sister to him.
"No, I don't know," Colby snapped as he stopped and turned on Elliott, his cheeks burning red.
"Are you and she…"
"NO," Colby stopped Elliott short before he could finish the question; his cheeks burning brighter, if that were possible.
"Then what's up?" El asked gently as he gestured for Colby to keep walking.
"Tess and I had a fight," Colby admitted reluctantly after a few minutes of walking in silence.
"What does that have to do with Claudia?"
"She said some things, so I tried to prove a point but it ended up backfiring on me and now I don't know how things stand between us," Colby groaned as he swapped the shovels from one shoulder to the other.
"Have you spoken to her about it?" El asked thoughtfully as he dug his hands into the pockets of his coat as the wind rustled the trees overhead.
"No," Colby mumbled pitifully. "I'm too angry…and embarrassed!"
"Would a simple apology fix it?" El asked thoughtfully after a moment of consideration. "Nothing women like to hear more than you're right I'm wrong…"
"Probably…" Colby replied hesitantly as they watched the others stop by a grave to their right.
"Then tell her your sorry. Clau likes you; she'll let it go eventually."
"Eh? I was talking about Tess…" Colby replied confused as he put a hand on El's arm and stopped him a few meters away from the others. "Wait…Claudia likes me?"
"What? Hmm, no," El stuttered as he tried desperately to backtrack in the conversation, when had they gotten their wires crossed?
"Oh my God. It makes perfect sense now!" Colby shook his head and smirked at El, who was looking trapped. "She has a crush on me. That's why she made those comments about me and Tess!"
"Look, I didn't say anything ok," El replied firmly as he turned to stand in front of Colby, blocking his path. "Bring up this little conversation with her and I'm going to have to hurt you, and if you hurt her-"
"You'll hurt me," Colby smiled as he circled around Elliott to stand so that he was now blocking El's way. "Don't worry El; I'm only interested in fixing things with Tess. You don't need to worry about anything happening with Claudia."
"Good," Elliott mumbled as the two caught up with the others at a gravesite marked out with a small plastic name plate.
"The tombstone is on its way," Stu mumbled defensively at the look that passed between Colby and Elliott as they took in the cheap grave marker.
"Ok guys," Claudia told Colby and Chris, once Colby had handed the young detective the other shovel, "Have at it."
"Michael," Elliott told the lawyer as Colby and Chris started digging, "Maybe you and Mr Watkins should wait back at the cars. We'll call you when we know something."
"No," Stu shook his head stiffly as he shook off the lawyers hand on his elbow. "I want to be here when you dig her up…I need to see it. I need to know if it's her…"
"Ok," El relented reluctantly, "Let's still give them some room." Taking a firmer grip on the young sculptor, El steered him a few feet away to a bench overlooking a 'memorial garden'.
* Hours Later*
Watching Robin tremble in her sleep, Don sat on the small window seat and waited patiently for her to find consciousness; she normally did when the tremors started. At first she'd be confused, and then as her mind slowly caught up on recent events she'd begin to cry. She'd reach for him and he'd take her hand and stroke her forehead, all the while whispering soothing words of comfort until she'd get a look in her eyes and all of a sudden she'd shut it all out…shut him out. She'd pull her hand from his grasp and turn her head away and cry some more until she slipped once more into fitful slumber and once again he'd be left patiently waiting as the demons chased her behind closed eyelids until the next time she jerked awake. It was only a matter of time before she stopped reaching for him altogether and every time Don was convinced that this was it, this was the time she'd withdraw from him completely…
"Mr Eppes?"
"Yes?" Don replied tiredly as he swivelled his head to take in the beautiful nurse in the centre of the room. She had rich green eyes and long golden hair that framed her small heart shaped face.
"My name's Donna, I'm just here to check on the patient," She smiled as she walked over to Robin's chart and began to read.
"Ok," Don shrugged as he turned back to the window and rested his head against the sheet of glass; it was cool to the touch, and watched as Donna moved around Robin taking everything in. There had been a lot of nurses attending to Robin since she'd arrived, Don didn't think he recognised this one. "How's she doing?" Don asked curiously as he got up and shuffled over to stand in front of the chair by Robin's side, opposite where Donna was now peeking under the bandages.
"As well as can be expected," Donna replied through a grimace as she put the bandage back.
"Aren't you going to change the bandages or hydrate the wound?" Don challenged as he moved around the bed to stand next to the nurse.
"Not this time," Donna replied cautiously as she took a step back from Don and would have tripped over the IV stand had Don not grabbed her wrist and kept her on her feet.
"Who are you?" Don asked suspiciously as he stepped closer so only inches separated them.
"I told you…" She stammered as Don's grip tightened.
"No, you didn't," Don hissed back, frightening himself as well as her. "There may have been a lot of nurses but I remember every one. Who are you?"
"I…"
"Don?" Ian asked questioningly as he cut Donna off, making Don jump and drop her wrist.
"You're needed in the waiting room," Nick added as he stepped past Ian into the room and took in the scene for himself. Donna was as white as the uniform she was wearing and Don had a crazed look in his eye. "Robin's mother has arrived…" Nick continued as if everything was normal as he approached Don slowly.
"She has?" Don looked confused and sleep deprived and nothing like the strong man either Ian or Nick was used to.
"Her and Steven are getting into it," Ian explained as his gaze shifted from Don to Donna, who looked trapped in the corner of the room. "Why don't you and Nick go sort it out and I'll meet you there in a moment."
"I…ok…" Don nodded, as if trying to clear his head, before following Nick from the room, pausing only once to give Donna a final suspicious glance.
"Don't worry," Ian assured Don on his way past, "Ms Hart and I are going to have a little chat and then she won't be bothering you or Robin again." Ian promised as he closed the door to Robin's room behind Don and Nick, shutting him and Donna inside.
*Break*
They'd been at it for hours and Colby's back was burning from the constant shovelling, and from the grim look on Detective Morrison's face he was also finding the task just as frustrating, so the moment Colby's shovel struck wood he could have cried with relief. "Finally!" He called out triumphantly as Chris struck the dirt his end a couple more times to make sure they weren't hallucinating the sound.
"Notify the caretaker," Claudia told someone Colby couldn't see from his position in the grave. "We're ready to raise the body up."
"About time too," Colby heard Dr Galeotti sneer as both she and Claudia came over to peer into the grave.
"I'm sorry," Colby replied in his least unapologetic voice as he used both arms to leaver his leg up on one side before pulling himself up and out of the grave. "Do you think you could have done it any faster?" He asked, turning to offer Chris a hand.
"The caretaker probably could have. It is his job after all," Stuart moaned from his position next to El who was looking tired and cold.
As the sun had set over the old cemetery, it had gotten dark quick and cold, very, very cold. Not that either Colby or Chris could feel it after the hard work they'd just done digging the grave! As soon as it had become too dark to keep digging, both Claudia and Dr Galeotti had set up spot lights over the grave that had been hot to work under. Both he and Chris were pink in the face and Colby was drenched in sweat, So much so he'd had to ditch his shirt at least an hour ago and settled instead for digging in just a tank top and jeans, it was more comfortable and didn't restrict his arms as much whilst digging, it hadn't taken long for Chris to follow suit.
"As I explained before," Elliott replied to Stu, his voice more than a little strained, "We don't know what's down there. Could be that there's evidence down there. Therefore we need people adept in evidence collecting to be the ones to do the digging to make sure that the evidence doesn't get damaged or tainted. It's a long process but it has to be done right."
"But there wasn't even anything down there," Stu complained as he hunched his shoulders against the cold wind and gestured at the open grave. "There was no 'evidence'."
"No," Elliott conceded, the argument, however, far from over. "But there could have been. Who knows what's actually at the bottom of that grave! This isn't exactly a normal day for any of us either!"
"I actually study bodies for a living, I assure you this is quite normal," Dr Galeotti threw El another of her frosty smiles, to which Elliott responded by glaring back with his ghostly eyes, making Colby shiver and not from the cold that was now starting to cool the sweat on his back.
"Ok…" Stu cut through the tension he'd created with exaggerated patience, as if he was the one being put upon. "What happens when the coffin is raised?" Stu added sulkily.
"Then we open it and I examine the remains," Dr Galeotti shrugged as if it was obvious as Colby stuck the shovel in the large dirt mound that he and Chris had spent the evening making, before reaching down and pulling on his dirt stained shirt. Seeing his almost comical appearance properly for the first time, Colby felt a pang of sadness that his old partner David had moved to Washington DC and wasn't there to rib him for it. He would have probably been the one in the trenches with him, looking more ridiculous in a suit and tie because that was just how he rolled, but he would have somehow managed to make light of the situation…somehow. He just had a knack for keeping Colby grounded and not so serious all of the time. Sometimes, like now, Colby really missed his old partner. Detective Morrison hadn't exactly been bad company in the end…he just like to talk…a lot, and Colby's head was starting to pound from his lack of drink and over exertion.
Looking up again as he fastened the buttons on his shirt, Colby's eyes connected with Claudia's and the odd expression that passed over her face, as if she could feel his sadness and sympathised…"Once Dr Galeotti confirms it's not your fiancée in the casket, Dr Gomez will take the remains to the morgue where she will perform a thorough autopsy, assisted by Dr Galeotti." Colby continued to explain for Stu as he shook his head and looked away; breaking the strange connection he had just felt.
He didn't have time to think on what El had let slip earlier, or how happy he'd felt when he had heard it. He could deal with that later...much, much later, when it all wasn't so confusing…and there wasn't a body at the bottom of a grave that he had just dug, which needed identifying… "I think I'll go and check on what's keeping Michael and the Caretaker," Colby added, shifting a little uncomfortably as he flicked a quick look at Elliott who was frowning at him before heading over to the church where he and Michael had met with the reverend earlier that day.
It didn't take him long to find them, Michael was shouting loud enough.
"What's going on?" Colby asked Michael as he took in the Reverends troubled expression.
"Reverend Porter says the caretaker left not long after we headed to the grave," Michael replied through gritted teeth, his patience obviously reaching its limit.
"He told me he had to pop home quickly but that he'd be back in time to assist you raise the coffin," The old man turned to Colby, sadness deepening the lines around his timeworn eyes and the hard set of his mouth.
"And his home, it's here on the grounds?" Colby asked patiently, a bad feeling beginning to weigh heavily in his gut.
"I already checked it out," Michael replied tersely as he crossed his arms in frustration. "There was no answer and the Reverend informs me that his truck is gone."
"Alrighty then," Colby replied as he pinched the top of his nose between his eyebrows, his headache rapidly growing bigger, "Ring Liz. Tell her to put a BOLO out on…" Colby paused as he looked to the Reverend for the name.
"Perez," Reverend Porter answered eventually, after a moment of hesitation, "His name is Demario Perez."
"Get a BOLO out on Demario Perez and his car," Colby amended for Michael. "I also want you to start drawing up a warrant to search his place. His disappearance is no coincidence. The wrong body was buried, we haven't confirmed it yet but I have a gut feeling it was and Mr Perez is either in on it or he was paid to look the other way. I'll call you as soon as Dr Galeotti confirms that we have a new body on our hands."
"On it," Michael nodded excitedly as he pulled his phone from his pocket and started dialling as he quickly left the church.
"You're wrong," the Reverend shook his head sadly, but the doubt was plain to see in his drooping eyes. "Demario is a good boy…" He added weakly.
"I hope so Reverend," Colby sighed, too tired to deal with this latest plot twist. "In the meantime can you operate the machine?"
"I don't know how..." The Reverend replied morosely, his face sagging further.
"Then we'll just have to do this the old fashioned way," Colby flashed the Reverend a wicked smile. "Got any rope?"
*Break*
"ME?" Don heard Robin's mother splutter angrily as he reluctantly opened the heavy door to the burn unit's large waiting room, the same room he'd been forced to wait in for news of Robin just over a week ago. He'd spent more time there than he or anyone else would ever want to and he had little patience now for the drama unfolding before him. He needed to be at Robin's side, not mediating her parents. What if she woke up? He'd left Ian to deal with that woman, what if she woke up to that? Or worse…alone, he'd promised that wouldn't happen again and once given, Don always kept his word.
"Yes you! Call yourself a fucking mother? Where have you been for the past week?" Steven replied haughtily as he gestured angrily at his ex-wife.
"I'm the police commissioner of DC," Robin's mother shrugged off her angry ex's accusations with a practiced efficiency as she straightened the shoulder pads of her red cotton blazer. "I couldn't just drop everything and rush to California; however, much I may have wanted to. Besides, I couldn't do anything for Robin in those first days anyway. She will understand that I couldn't come straight away, that I actually had the needs of an entire city to consider and prepare for my absence. I wouldn't expect you to understand that I had responsibilities though. How is the nineteenth hole these days?"
"Enough," Don told the pair angrily as he shuffled further into the room even though his brain was screaming at him to get out while he still could.
"You never did appreciate how many potential clients there are to be found at country clubs! My practice is still going strong, thank you for asking!" Steven thundered back, his face going splotchy and red with indignation.
"Potential clients! HA! More like any excuse for you and your mates to get pissed and skip a day's work!" Robin's mother crossed her arms and examined her perfectly manicured nails, the perfect picture of poise and calm compared to Steven.
"I said ENOUGH!" Don shouted louder this time, making everyone turn and stare at him agog. "Robin is only down the corridor. Do you want her to hear you two going at it? No! She just came out of surgery a few hours ago. So PACK IT IN!"
"Don, darling, it's good to see you," Robin's mother smiled beautifully as she sashayed her way over in her tight matching pencil skirt and bright red pumps to air kiss him on both cheeks, making his nose itch from her expensive perfume.
"Ms Brooks," Don replied slowly, at a loss for what to do next as his anger slowly deflated and he resisted the urge to sneeze. "You look beautiful as always," He added after a moment as he took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"How many times darling, call me Gloria!" She chastised him gently as she put her free hand on top of the one he had holding her other one. "I just don't know how you have managed to hold it together!" She declared theatrically as she turned her back dismissively on her ex-husband who was sulking in the corner next to Alan-who looked a bit dubious of the glamorous Gloria Brooks. Sometimes, it was moments like this that made it hard for Don to imagine her as the ball busting police commissioner he saw on TV and not as an excessively expensive housewife that seemed out of place anywhere but in the Hamptons. She was also the spitting image of Robin, or at least Robin was the spitting image of her mother.
"Ok…Gloria," Don patted their pile of hands twice before dropping hers and turning back to the waiting room's large double doors. "I need to get back to Robin, so keep it down and keep it clean."
"But I'm coming with you of course," Gloria smiled again as she pulled the small red leather bag from her elbow to her shoulder and marched out of the door Don was holding open indecisively. Robin hadn't exactly been receptive to any visitors other than Don and Ian…but then again she'd want to see her mom surely? "Don't forget to grab my carryon darling," Gloria threw over her shoulder at Don expectantly as she waited in everyone's way in the middle of the busy hallway till Don had her carryon and rolled it all the way to Robin's room for her.
"My beautiful baby!" Gloria called out loudly and with no tact as she threw back Robin's hospital room door and sidled over to her daughter's side, where a nurse was busy changing the dressing on Robin's shoulder.
"Gloria," Don replied from behind, a note of warning in his tone as Robin flicked him a quick look of betrayal before making sure her smile was fixed in place as her mother engulfed Robin in her perfumed embrace, knocking the nurse and the bandage away, leaving her pale daughter exposed to the room.
"You had us so worried!" Gloria carried on unperturbed as she pulled back and gave the nurse a look. "You'd better not be planning on still using that darling," She continued scathingly as the nurse picked up the dressing and turned back to her cart muttering angrily under her breath. "You want to watch what you're doing love," Gloria barrelled on appallingly as both Don and Robin swapped embarrassed glances as Ian slipped into the room, quirking and eyebrow at the pair of them as he blended himself against the back wall. "Do you know who my daughter is? She deserves to be treated properly and with competence!"
"Mother," Robin hissed angrily at Gloria who blinked back at her daughter incomprehensibly. "Please, carry on," Robin smiled apologetically at the nurse who was still scowling at Gloria. "Please," She whispered quietly, though it was still audible enough to hear. "I'd rather it wasn't on show."
"Of course," The young nurse nodded grimly as she set about wrapping Robin's shoulder after placing a new moist bandage over the burn. As soon as the shoulder burn was bandaged the nurse moved herself and the cart to the other side of the bed, narrowly missing the toes of Gloria's red pumps. "Would you like everyone to leave for this bit love?" The nurse asked Robin as she looked dubiously from Don to Gloria, Gloria to Ian and back to Don.
"My fiancée and mother have seen it all before," Robin replied tightly as her own gaze trailed about the people crowding her small room. "And Ian is gay," She quirked a small smile at the agent, who until that moment, Don had forgotten was even in the room. "Just make it quick please, I'm feeling very drained still."
"That's to be expected as the anaesthetic leaves your system," The nurse replied gently as she pulled back the covers to Robin's knees and lifted the skirt of the rough hospital gown high enough to show off the square bandage on Robin's left buttock.
"How long will Robin be in hospital now that she's had the surgery?" Don asked the nurse as he made his way over to Robin's side and stroked her damp forehead, pulling the clammy strands out of her eyes.
"Tomorrow our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy staff will come to help Robin get out of bed and slowly build her strength up. When they sign Robin off as able to go home, she can leave. How long will all depend on Robin's progress over the next few days. Once she does leave she'll have to come back once a week until the wound is completely healed. Then every one to three months for at least a year. It's a long process but it's still important that we monitor you and your wound once you've left us," The nurse replied automatically. It was clearly a question she had been asked before and repeated to many anxious family members. "There, all done."
"Thank you," Robin yawned tiredly as her eyelids grew heavy once more and she drifted back off.
"How long do you think she'll be out?" Gloria asked Don quietly as the nurse wheeled her cart out of the room, closing the door again behind her.
"Hours most likely, she hasn't been sleeping well," Don admitted reluctantly as Gloria pulled the covers back up over her sleeping daughter and begun tucking her in.
"None of us have," Gloria smiled sadly as she stroked Robin's pale cheek before straightening up, pulling down on her blazer and stepping back. "But you still need to care for yourself as well darling."
"I've been telling him that for a week," Ian shrugged as he pushed away from the wall before moving over to Gloria, hand extended in greeting. "Special Agent Ian Edgerton ma'am, I'm a big supporter of the work you have achieved in DC."
"Do you spend much time in DC Agent?" Gloria smiled warmly as she gripped Ian's hand and gave it a firm shake.
"I used to ma'am," Ian nodded sadly, a pain shifting behind his eyes that Don was unaccustomed to seeing.
"Ex-army?" She pondered thoughtfully as she squinted slightly at Ian as her gaze roamed up and down his hard body.
"Special Forces," Ian nodded as he gave Robin's mother his own scrutinizing glance. "But I'm strictly FBI now ma'am."
"Did you ever contract out for the CIA?"
"That's strictly classified ma'am," Ian replied coyly but his eyes shone with amusement.
"Ah, yes. Of course. I recognise you now. The scar confused me for a moment but I knew I'd seen you before Agent Edgerton," Gloria smiled stiffly. "I was there for the trial in DC. I was one of the ones who agreed to dismiss the claims of wrongful conduct. You look like you've been through an ordeal since then Agent Edgerton."
"Only a little one. For the record, I was never worried about the outcome of the trial," Ian shrugged as Don watched on confused. One moment Gloria had been the expensive theatrical housewife and the next she was transformed into the no nonsense, balls to the walls police commissioner.
"No, no I don't suppose much does worry you Agent. I saw and liked that about you in DC," Gloria smiled warmly as she leaned toward Ian conspiritably. "A little word to the wise, the next time you see our mutual friend Marshal Hunter, you must remember to thank him. You've got a good friend their Agent Edgerton."
"I'm very aware of that ma'am."
"Yes, I'm sure you are. Did you know that he visited me that night after the trial and asked for my help clearing up a little 'misunderstanding' in a bar near the courthouse? A minor indiscretion, but a forgivable one."
"Interesting," Ian frowned thoughtfully as Gloria pulled her hand bag up from her elbow to shoulder and smiled at him patiently, waiting for the penny to drop.
"It was you who dealt with Hawk's sister," Ian replied suddenly, the ghost of a smile forming on his lips as Gloria returned his sly smile, leaving Don bewildered and more confused than ever.
"Ms Hart and I may have had a little conversation," Gloria replied coyly.
"Then I think we need to have one," Ian replied matter-of-factly as he reached down and scooped up Gloria's carryon before turning his attention on Don. "I'm going to take Ms Brooks to yours to get settled in and drop off her luggage; we'll be back later for when Robin wakes up."
"Ok," Don nodded dumbly as he reached into his pocket and fished out his keys. "Is this about the woman earlier?"
"Don't worry Don, I'm handling it," Ian assured Don as he took the keys before offering Gloria his arm and walking her out.
"That's what worries me," Don mumbled under his breath as he made his way over to his spot by the window and sat down. He had a while to wait yet before Robin would wake next.
*Break*
"Ready?" Colby asked the others as he picked up the rope on the top corner of the coffin and took up the slack with the other hand.
"Ready," Elliott nodded grimly when both Chris and Stuart had finished preparing the bottom two ropes.
"Then pull!" Colby ordered loudly as he gave the rope a hard yank, stumbling backwards. "Easy does it now!"
"Your almost there," Claudia waved at Colby excitedly as the four of them soon found a steady rhythm and continued to inch the coffin ever closer to the surface. "A little more…"
"Stop!" Dr Galeotti gestured to them all as she took up position at the head of the coffin that was now hovering a few inches above the open grave. "You need to start moving it over to the side.
"Which side?" Chris grunted as he and Stu struggled with the ropes at their end.
"This side," Colby replied as he too began to struggle to keep his grip. "El and Stu, you give us some slack and Chris and I'll pull it over. Steady now!"
"Is it over yet?" El groaned in pain as he slowly gave up more and more rope.
"Yes," Dr Galeotti smiled genuinely for the first time. "Reverend, the crowbar if you please?" She added excitedly as she held her hand out to the reverend expectantly whilst Colby and the others gently lowered the coffin at her feet.
"Do you want me to?" Colby asked uncertainly as the skinny woman took the heavy crowbar and propped it in the groove separating the lid from the base.
"I've got it," She replied happily, grinning like a school girl, a little too happily for Colby's tastes.
"Ok," He shrugged, backing off next to Claudia as the Dr made light work of breaking into the coffin and raising the lid. "What have we got Doc?"
"Well it isn't Ms Noland," Dr Galeotti replied flippantly as Stu winced and El clamped a sympathetic hand on his shaking shoulder. "Based on what I can see, I'd say that the body is of a Caucasian male in his late forties early fifties. I will need to get the bones cleaned first before I am able to tell you more."
"Just as soon as I have performed the autopsy I will release the remains for you Dr Galeotti," Claudia nodded at Colby as the Dr stood up and pulled the lid closed once more. "I'll go and make the call to get the body transported to the morgue now."
"Is there anything else you can tell us for now?" El asked Dr Galeotti impatiently, possibly ruder than intended due to frustration. Colby knew how he felt.
"Just that from what I could see…the remains are in several pieces and badly burned. I don't like to speculate but I am confident in saying that it does appear consistent with a victim of an explosion."
"What about a bomber?" Chris jumped in excitedly as he rubbed his hands together anxiously against the cold.
"Yes, that to, but we will need to run tests to confirm it. I am, however, fairly certain that you have found your bomber." Dr Galeotti nodded once precisely before walking off to find Claudia, leaving the guys alone with the casket.
"So it's over…" Colby whispered as El pulled out his ringing phone and answered it in his usual brisk way. "Soon we'll know the name of the bomber and then we'll be able to put it all behind us."
"Not quite," El replied as vigorously to Colby as he had answered the phone. "I'll be there in a couple hours," He spoke quickly to the person on the other end of the phone before hanging up and pulling out his keys. "Call a meeting for first thing in the morning."
"What's up?" Chris asked as El started to hurry off in the direction of the church car park.
"Yeah? Where's the fire?" Colby asked confused.
"What about me?" Stu asked just as confused, but a little hurt too.
"Detective Morrison and Agent Granger will debrief you and then take you home," El threw over his should at Stu before turning to face Colby. "I have an errand to run but I will be there in the morning to explain. Don't start without me!" He warned across the short distance before moving off again.
"What's this all about?" Colby wheezed out of breath as he jogged to catch up with El who was power walking toward his car.
"It's not over," El replied grimly as he unlocked his car and climbed in.
"It's not?" Colby asked dumbly as he placed his hands on his knees and tried to get his breath back.
"No. This is big Col…"
"How big?"
"Wait till morning, I'll have all the facts by then," El replied evasively as he put his key in the ignition and turned the engine on, keen to get going.
"El?"
"Yes?"
"Forget it. Just go…" Colby gave up as he stepped back and let El pull the door shut before reversing the car out of the spot and speeding off. Damn, Colby thought angrily as he trudged his way back across the graveyard to where Claudia was waiting by the coffin.
"Where are the others?" Colby asked confused as she crossed her arms against the chill, stuffing her hands into her armpits for warmth.
"The reverend and Chris took Mr Watkins to the church to wait…he seemed pretty shaken up and Dr Galeotti had to get something from her car. Where's El?"
"He had somewhere to be…"
"What's up?"
"Nothing…something…I don't know," Colby shook his head with frustration. "I just can't shake this bad feeling that this is just the beginning…"
"You could be right."
"Why do you say that?" Colby asked surprised as he blew on his hands before taking hers and giving them a rub, they were as cold as ice.
"Because if that's our bomber…"
"Yeah?"
"Well…just begs the question…who put him there?"
"Who indeed," Colby sighed deflated as he pulled her in close and rested his chin on her head. "Who indeed."