Dan woke up several more times throughout the day each time a little sooner and for a little longer. Bobby, Alex, Logan and Carolyn would stop by for a visit and Karla would leave for a while then come right back. He was feeling better and was getting impatient to be gone. The doctor told him he was doing well and would be able to go home at the end of the week.

He greeted Karla with that information as soon as she returned to his room. “I’ll be out of here soon. The doctor says at the end of the week. Then we can get to work on the nursery.”

“There’s no need. I lost the baby.” She said without fanfare.

“You what?! When?”

“Before you woke up the first time.”

“And you waited to tell me?”

“How was I going to tell you? I’m glad you’re awake, oh, by the way, I lost our baby?”

“I thought everything was alright. You could have…..”

“I could have what? Tell me, Dan, I’d love to hear it.” She asked sharply.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just trying to absorb it. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. You must be so disappointed.” He took her hand.

She shrugged pretending it didn’t matter. “It was too good to last. I never expected it to happen at all. So you get to come home soon, huh? That’s good.”

“It’s not too late. We can try again.” He tried to get her to lock gazes with him, but she’d only glance at him and away again.

“No, it’s better not to try. I’ve accepted it. Let’s move on. I have you and we’re happy.

Let’s concentrate on that.”

“You’ll have me underfoot for awhile. The doctor has put me on heavy restrictions. I won’t be able to do much.”

“I don’t care. I want you to come home so I don’t feel so alone. I miss you. I miss you leaving your shoes by the door, and your stubble in the sink after you shave and I miss hearing you swearing at the news when you think no one is listening. I miss cooking you breakfast and hiding that awful purple tie you keep threatening to wear to the office. I miss telling you all about the stupid things that happened during my day and you snoring in the bed next to me. The house is lonely and empty without you.”

“I figured you’d like a break from me. We’re together so much.” He teased.

“I might as well ask for a break from breathing. Forget I said anything, I’m just a little spacey today.”

“Consider it forgotten.” He brought her hand up and kissed the knuckles. “So tell me, are you alright otherwise?”

“I’m fine. Captain Sackett accused me of being a slacker. Not in so many words, you understand and she was teasing, but she told me I need to get my butt back to work, cause it’s stacking up. In a few weeks. I promised her I’d consider it.”

“Does she know about…?”

“Yeah, someone snitched. She expressed her condolences and I told her I’d pass it on. Consider it passed. I think we ought to do something nice for Bobby and Alex and Mike and Carolyn, too.”

“What do you suggest?” he asked to keep her talking.

“I think we’ll send out to dinner, our treat.”

“Our treat? That’s a little extravagant, don’t you?”

“Okay, your treat.” She shrugged and gave him a smile.

“How did that get in there?” he demanded.

“It just landed there.” she said innocently.

“Sure, it did. And send them some flowers.”

“Now who’s being extravagant?”

“They helped bring us home and I can’t exactly show them favoritism in the squad room, so it’s from us to them, no official involvement. It’s the best I can do.”

“I always said Captains are a sneaky lot.” She squeezed his hand.

“Speaking from someone who’s responsible for giving more than one captain with grey hair.” He teased her back.

She leaned over pretending to look for grey hair. He reached up, snatched her head and pulled her down for a kiss. They were in the middle of it when the door opened and Bobby and Alex walked in.

“New medical treatment. I like that one.” Alex said.

Karla pulled away and turned away. “Hi, guys.” Dan said, casually. “That’s not officially an approved medical procedure.”

“It should be.” Bobby surprised everyone including himself by saying. “How are you feeling?”

“Ready to get out of here.” Dan grumped. “And the two of you?”

“We’re fine.” Alex said. “Karla, let’s go get something to eat.”

“I just ate.”

“I didn’t. I’ll buy.”

“I’ll go because the guys probably need to talk business, but I’m not hungry.” Karla said. She leaned over and kissed Dan again and followed Alex out.

Alex led the way to the elevator. She pushed the button and turned to her friend. “How are you, really?”

“I’m fine.” Karla replied shortly.

“But you’re not. It’s just us. I’m not going to tell Bobby or the Captain. I know you’re not fine.”

“Are you a psychologist now?” Karla asked sharply.

“No, I’m a detective and, I hope, a friend. I remember how happy you were when you told everyone you were pregnant. I saw your face when we bought the test. I don’t know why you and Carolyn lost your babies and I didn’t but we are all sorry about it. You and I went through that together. I thought you would have known you could trust me, talk to me.”

“And say what, Alex? That it’s not fair that you’re still pregnant and I’m not. I needed to tell Dan first and then I intend to forget it. It’s over, I can’t change it.”

“You can still….”

“Don’t even say it. I’m not listening.”

“You’re being bullheaded about this.”

“Yes I am. That’s how I feel. Why does nobody get that?”

“Okay, it’s none of my business. I get it. Just know if you want to talk, I’m here. So the captain will be out soon. That’s got to feel good.”

“It’ll be nice to have him home.”

“I understand that. You know you’ve had most of the training the rest of us have. Have you ever considered changing departments?”

“No. Why would I?”

“I’m wondering if you might consider that you’re wasted in records. There are many departments that could use your talents.”

“Really? I never thought about it. I guess I just assumed that is where I’d always stay. I wouldn’t want to lose my rank.”

“You wouldn’t. You’ll always be a sergeant but you might lose your seniority. You could check into it and do a temporary transfer. It would allow you to find out if you’d like to make it permanent or not. It would mean you could move around quite a bit to see. I think you should at least think about it. You like animals, maybe you’d like to be in the K-9 unit. Or something else.”

“Dan’s going to be ticked at you, you know.”

“I’m aware of that, but, Karla, you deserve to be happy. I don’t think you should limit yourself to where you’re posted now. He wants you to be happy, doesn’t he?”

“I never doubted that. That’s just something I have to think about. And check in to.”

“If I can help you, let me know.”

“I think you’ve helped enough.” Karla said. They went over to the line and Alex bought herself some lunch and Karla a piece of pie. They sat down at a table. “So what was so important that you needed me to leave the room?” she asked the detective.



“What makes you think that it was about you?” Karla gave her a straight look. “I’m not a detective, but I’m not stupid either. It’s about the kidnapping and I’m not supposed to know what’s going on. It involves either something that still needs to be resolved or it’s something I’m going to have to provide corroboration for that you would be suspect about. Maybe the face of one of the kidnappers and I’m going to be needed for a lineup and you can’t tell me.”

“I can’t say.”

“So I’m right. It’s nice to know what’s coming at me.”

“I never said anything.”

“Nope, but I haven’t been in the department for years without learning a few things. I won’t say anything. Is Bobby supposed to call you to tell you when we need to come back or are we just supposed to show up?”

“I’m thinking you might want to try for a detective position.” Alex joked.

“Not me.”

“It was a thought. I don’t really want the competition, but another woman in the squad would be nice.”

“Don’t worry. Your job is safe from me. I’m not that good. Is—uh, everything alright with you and the baby? Physically, I mean.”

“Yes. There doesn’t seem to be any lasting problems. I just have to be careful. You- I’m sorry that you brought that up.”

“Alex, you and Bobby are still my friends and you work with Dan. I can be happy for you and still mourn my baby. I’m glad not everything was destroyed by those goons. I really do wish you guys the best. Maybe you’ll let me babysit some time, huh?”

“I’d be happy to. It’s not everyday I get an offer like that.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Karla grinned. “Thanks for the pie.”

“Not a problem. I think it’s safe to go back up now.”

They walked back up and knocked before they went in. Bobby was sitting in a chair talking to Dan. He stood up and moved back slightly when they entered. Dan gave Karla a look she correctly interpreted as worry. “I had the best pie here of all places. So are you guys all done bonding?”

“Karla, we need you to come down to the precinct for a lineup.” Dan said.

“Okay, but I didn’t see much. Mostly one guy who used a hood and spoke very little. I’ll do what I can to help, but it isn’t much.”

“Anything you can remember. You don’t seem surprised.” Dan said giving Alex a suspicious look.

“I’m a cop, remember? I’m involved with one and I work with some. Give me a break. I know the procedure even if it’s just in theory. And don’t you dare jump down Alex’s throat. She didn’t say a word. She’s smarter than that. This is better than my other theory.”

“What was you’re other theory?” Bobby asked.

“That this isn’t over yet. There’s more going on.”

The men didn’t exchange looks, but there was a sudden charged silence. Alex stepped toward Bobby like a furious ferret. “Bobby?” she demanded of him.

He got a guilty look on his face. “There’s talk of a bigger ring than was in this one cell. The FBI is coming in on it.”

“The FBI? The feds? Dan?” Karla said alarmed.

“Sweetheart, it’s international. They have jurisdiction. Don’t worry. You were the one kidnapped, remember? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You and Alex just have to tell the truth. Leave the rest to them.” Bobby said.

“Sure. The feds are easy to deal with.” Alex said sarcastically.

“Eames.” Dan said sharply.

“She needs to know, Captain. Something the both of you should tell her not let her find out for herself.” Alex told them both coldly.

“She is standing right here. What the hell is going on? What does she need to know? Dan Ross, you tell me right now or that bullet wound won’t be the only place you’ll be hurting.” Karla barked angrily. Dan sent Alex a cold, cold look. ”Don’t you dare look at her like that! Tell me the truth, dammit, right now.”

“The feds tend to think of everyone as being in on a conspiracy. They like to be really harsh on people to try to rattle them. And they think of all local officers as yokels. They don’t care if you’re an officer or not. The only people they believe without corroboration is each other. They want to talk to both of you.” Dan said, reaching for Karlas hand.

She folded her arms staying out of his reach and glared at him. “And you didn’t think I, we, needed to know this?”

“You didn’t give us a chance to tell you.” Dan reminded her, frowning back at her. “That was why we needed to talk, why you went down to the cafeteria while we did. We are working on a plan to help catch these guys without endangering you two.”

“You didn’t think I’d want to be in on it?” Alex demanded of both of them.

“It’s the boys club. We’re just women.” Karla sneered.

“Just hold it, you two!” Dan said, sharply. “I don’t play those games. Not with any of my officers and certainly not with my fiancé. Settle down because we have to get this sorted out. The Feds want you there tomorrow, Karla, and I can’t be there. I’m going to hire a lawyer to go with you and Bobby will be there.”

“Fine, you know best.” Karla inclined her head, but she didn’t approach him.

“They aren’t going to take Bobbys word for things. He wasn’t there like you were.” Alex said.

“The doctors won’t release me yet.” Dan said. “And the Feds need to move on this. I’d give anything to be there, but I’m not sure if it would help you or not. They might go harder on you if they know we’re involved. With Bobby that’s not a problem.”

“I trust you. I’m not at all happy with either of you, but I trust you.” Karla said sternly.

“I thought you had gotten over this. You know damned well, this is not okay with me, Robert Goren. You know I don’t work this way and this is not done yet.” Alex told her husband.

“Let it go, Detective.” Dan ordered.

Alex didn’t reply and Bobby realized with a sigh that it was far from over for him. And judging by the looks Karla was giving Dan, he was in for it as well. He may have rank on her but this wasn’t one of those situations. “How come I’m hearing this from you and not from Captain Sackett?” Karla demanded.

Another sensitive subject. “Until the close of this case, you’re suspended and on temporary assignment to Major Case.” Dan said reluctantly.

“Oh, this gets better and better.” Karla threw her hands up in the air and moved restlessly away. “So what else are you two magicians hiding? As long as you’re at it lets have it. You might as well drop a building as a brick.”

“That’s all, I swear.” Bobby said, uncomfortably under Alex’s steely gaze.

“I think it would be best if you two leave now. I need to speak to Karla alone.” Dan said.

“Yeah, we have some things we need to sort out.” Karla said harshly.

“We need to be at the precinct at 9:00 in the morning.” Bobby told Karla.

“I’ll be there.” she replied shortly.

Bobby and Alex walked from the room.

Dan eyed his agitated partner anxiously. She was glaring directly at him and it was not going to be pleasant.

TBC

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