Jethro reluctantly followed doctor Patrick into Kelly's room and sat down in an empty chair. He was sure this was going to be worst news. They had found something bad wrong in Kelly's tests. She was dying after all or worse she was already dead. Why had he left? He had gone off and had impure thoughts about another girl. Who wasn't Jenny the mother of his child. What was wrong with him lately?

"Jethro!" Dr. Patrick called.

"What?" Jethro asked.

"Are you listening to me?" Dr. Patrick questioned.

"No I zoned out a little." Jethro admitted.

"Understandable, anyway have you read the pamphlet on meningitis you were given when Kelly was first admitted? You were given a pamphlet correct?" Dr. Patrick asked.

"Yes sir and I read it over thoroughly." Jethro replied.

"Then I am sure you are aware of the complications that can occur with it?" Dr. Patrick replied.

"Stuff like deafness and loss of limbs." Jethro squeaked.

"Exactly." Dr. Patrick replied.

"What's wrong? Is she going to lose her legs like the other baby?" Jethro asked.

"No when we ran a hearing test on Kelly there was no response." Dr. Patrick explained.

"Wh...what does that mean?" Jethro asked.

"I am sorry Jethro but Kelly is deaf." Dr. Patrick replied.

"What do I do now?" Jethro asked.

"Unfortunately I cannot be much help. I will give you the phone numbers and email addresses of some specialists I know and a few websites you can check out. Beyond that I would look into what kind of help you can get locally." Dr. Patrick explained..

"I don't think there are a lot of resources in Stillwater." Jethro replied.

"Do you at least know any deaf people?" Dr. Patrick asked.

"My God-Parents but they um they moved to Louisiana. After having a falling out with my parents. I don't even know how to contact them." Jethro explained.

"I will see what I can do." Dr. Patrick replied.

"Thanks, now what's the good news?" Jethro asked.

"Kelly is doing well enough to be sent home today." Dr. Patrick replied.

"Really?" Jethro asked.

"Yes they are bathing her right now and then she will be ready to go." Dr. Patrick explained.

"Thank you." Jethro replied.

"Do you have a way of getting her home? Kelly is still pretty weak and susceptible to germs so riding a bus or train may not be the best idea. If nobody can drive you. I would strongly recommend that you call a cab." Dr. Patrick explained.

"My dad is on the way to pick me up." Jethro replied.

"Excellent you two can leave as soon as he gets here." Dr. Patrick replied.

Jackson pulled into the parking lot of Columbia County Children's. He couldn't help but shudder at the memories of the night Kelly was admitted. He remembered fearing that he when he got to the hospital and be told that Kelly had died. He fought every day to not drive up and be with his son. Today he was holding on to hope that he Leroy would tell him that Kelly was ready to come home. If it turned out that she wasn't coming home. Darla had said she could handle the store for the next couple of days. So that he wouldn't have to keep driving back and forth. He didn't want to take a close parking place just in case Kelly wasn't ready to be released. He didn't want to take the space from somebody who was free to go. If Kelly was coming home he could pull the car up or have Leroy do it. When he got inside he told the receptionist he was looking for Kelly Gibbs's room and was her grandfather. He found Leroy sitting in the chair in Kelly's room. Kelly was asleep in the crib beside him.

"Oh hi dad I wasn't expecting you so soon." Jethro greeted.

"I drove straight up." Jack explained.

"Great" Jethro replied.

"So is Kelly ready to go home?" Jack asked.

"Yes" Jethro replied glumly.

"You don't sound like somebody who's child is being released from the hospital." Jack commented.

"Oh no I am excited." Jethro replied.

"You would be nervous I suppose." Jack agreed.

"It's not that." Jethro sighed.

"Then what's up?" Jack questioned.

"I got some bad news about Kelly that's all." Jethro admitted.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked.

"She's deaf dad! The illness cost her, her hearing!" Jethro cried.

"Oh Leroy I am so sorry." Jack gasped.

"What the hell do I do?" Jethro questioned.

"Isn't the hospital helping?" Jack asked.

"They gave me some numbers and email addresses of specialists and Dr. Patrick gave me a few websites I can look at. Other than that I will have to look locally." Jethro explained.

"That's going to be hard in Stillwater." Jack sighed.

"Do you have any way to contact Harold and Gloria?" Jethro asked.

"They can't be trusted! I will ask around at the store, I am sure there is somebody who is trustworthy and can help you and Kelly out." Jack railed.

"Thanks dad." Jethro sighed.

"Sorry for snapping like that. Is there anything you need to do before Kelly is released?" Jack questioned.

"No she is discharged and everything just waiting for you." Jethro replied.

"Great now are you ready to go?" Jack questioned.

"Yep" Jethro replied.

The drive back to Stillwater was full of awkward silence. Jethro rode in back with Kelly. He couldn't stop telling her that he loved her and that he was glad she was going home. Even though he knew that she couldn't hear him.

"Leroy about Kelly." Jack said as they pulled up to a stoplight.

"Dad I don't want to hear it." Jethro retorted.

"Just hear me out." Jack pleaded.

"Fine!" Jethro snapped.

"She will cope. We won't let her just be disabled. We will treat her as normally as possible." Jack explained.

"I just hope I can get her the help she needs." Jethro replied.

"We will get her everything she needs." Jack assured.

A/N: Poor Kelly but it could have been much worse. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.