Disclaimer:Rated R

Some language

 

They gathered in the waiting room,Sloan had been checked and released. Walter had been informed of their situation and he and Ed arrived shortly there after.

Ray stayed until Walter arrived then reluctantly left to go to his own home. Sloan lifted her head from Tom's shoulder to locate Michael he'd been quiet since Raine's shooting to quiet. He was leaning against the window staring into the distance he seemed so alone.

Sloan sighed trying to keep her mind off what had happened. She really needed tests of her own run to find out what they did to her. Tom reached down and clasped her hand,distracting her from her concern. Michael broke in sounding husky.

" How long? "

" Ed cleared his throat, the length of time isn't necessarily a bad thing." Michael nodded pulling his cell phone from his back pocket he dialed a number talking quietly. Whatever was said he apparently didn't like his eyes cut in Walter's direction.

" Did you call your boss? " Walter frowned, no we agreed not to do that and as the situation was resolved with minimum casualties on our side I felt any disclosure was unnecessary."

Michael slapped his cell phone closed stuffing it back in his jeans. "Someone has and according to my contact she's on her way here to place Raine and myself in protective custody."Tom stood looking from Michael to Walter. " Why Stephen is dead?"

Michael met Tom's look then glanced enigmatically at Walter. " That's the question isn't it."

Ed stood, I can try and see if the nurse's ..

The sound of the door opening and closing had them all turning sharply, Michael studied the woman in scrubs,sifting thru her emotions gave him to many mixed messages so he withdrew tightening his controls once more.

" How is she? "

Rolling her neck she smiled tiredly." I'm Dr. Windsong you got one stubborn friend there it was touch and go for awhile she's lost allot of blood and we're worried about infection." Michael's hand clenched into a fist. " She's stable though and providing there is no further complications she should be coming around soon."

Turning to leave she glanced back." O the police are down the hall wanting to talk to whomever brought her in." Walter stood. " Doctor if you could direct me to them I'll be happy to assist."

Her gaze lighted on each one briefly with a inquisitive look before nodding. " Of course follow me." Walter caught Michael's eye, then I'll head back to the lab to assure those interested that protective measures aren't necessary."

" Dr? Sloan stood Can we see her? "

Pulling the door open she turned." She's unconscious still." Looking from the tense young man to the pleading gaze of the young woman she sighed. " Alright for a minute no more and one at a time."

Sloan looked at Michael as he shrugged. " Go ahead I'll go after you." She opened her mouth to protest,but something silenced her and she nodded. She shared a smile between Ed and Tom then followed them out.

Michael swung around eye's closing he exhaled he tried looking for a focus point, to regain his objectivity but he felt smothered to full as if everything was spilling out inspite of his attempts. Trying to keep it together he tightened his control but it slipped from his grasp and when it did all he could do was ride it out.

Like a wave pounding the shore he was lost in it he heard Tom call his name as if from a distance then he heard a series of popping noises. It left him light headed as he slowly returned to the sound of clapping.

" O man you really got out of the wrong side of the bed." Normally I just open them but your approach works as well. Let me guess she found out about the chick? "

Closing his eyes he replied without turning." Shut Up Cy."

The others turned seeing a young man, eyes hidden behind zebra stripped glasses, faded ragged jeans, a tie dye shirt riddled with holes and his hair cut in a fade. He smiled holding the shopping bag up then shook it.

" Chill I brought you some clothes. His nose wrinkled trust me you'll need them."

Michael turned closing the distance he frowned. " What's wrong?"

Cy grimaced stalling he turned his head studying Ed dismissing him he turned to Tom. Pulling his glasses further down his nose he stared silently he must have been satisfied because he pushed his glasses back up and looked at Michael.

" Go change its cool David called me..I am your designated driver."

Michael shrugged," I talked to him about 15 minutes ago there was no need to come I'm capable of driving."

Cy shrugged tossing him the shopping bag he walked to the chair. Stepping onto the seat he sat on the back of the chair." Hey I'd just as soon not be here. I want no part of this its not healthy being around these people."

" Cy... Michael warned. "

" OK.. OK look your out of munchies and I was bored besides you could use some help." Your gonna have to get Raine out of here unless you plan on his gaze touched on those in the room briefly leaving her with them."

Michael's eyebrow lifted. He tipped his head back against the wall,then rolled it in Michael's direction." I didn't think so..Besides with you around he smirked I wont have to do anything more complicated than drive and you can reward me with lunch."

Ed sighed," frustrated does someone want to tell me what's going on here?"

Michael looked at him blankly then inquiringly at Cy. He shrugged.

" Cy. Dr Ed Tate... Dr.Tate. Cy is an associate and I'm sure your aware who this is he gestured toward Tom." Cy nodded.

His head snapped forward staring at Ed his lips twitched." This is the guy Raine was shut up in the apartment with he asked slyly? " You might want to start thinking about my suggestion Cy wise cracked."

Ed glanced between the two men. " You want to let me in on what's so funny?"

Michael turned heading toward the door." No.."

Cy laughed. Sloan entered," Michael you can go in..." She trailed of as he passed her without stopping,Sloan frowned seeing Cy she asked." Whats going on? "

Cy's laughter dwindled as he pushed his glasses up on his head staring curiously at Sloan. She met his gaze then turning away, she looked at Tom questioningly. She gasped noticing the windows for the first time. " What happened to the windows?" Her eye's widened and flicked back to Tom's.

" Tom?"

Ed shrugged," Michael is apparently quite talented who knew."

Tom said nothing as he reached out tucking a strand of hair behind her ear." How is she?" She glanced hesitantly at Cy. " She'll be fine with time I think." The ringing cell phone had them glancing around. Restless and unsettled watching Sloan and Tom Ed stood mumbling about checking on Raine.

Cy heard him and snorted humorously. Ed startled, stopped and glanced back at him strangely Cy smirked dropping his glasses back down over his eyes. Puzzled Ed shook his head as he left down the hallway.

" Cy? Tom prodded, Aren't you going to answer it? " Cy shrugged pulling out the phone "Yeah?" He tensed suddenly leaning forward. " Right on our way." Hopping off the chair he headed for the door as Michael entered.

Seeing Michael Cy exhaled relieved. " Lets go Michael get Raine and lets haul it because their coming this way."

" Wait a minute." Sloan followed them into the hall. "Where are you going?" Michael ignored her heading towards Raine's room,he stopped suddenly gaze going distant.

" O hell, Cy muttered."

" Go Cy! But..."

" Now! you have a vehicle?"

He pulled the keys out jingling them. " David said there's a van in the parking lot." Michael nodded." I'll be right there."

Cy started at him a moment more.. " Go! "

" Michael? " Sloan touched his arm where is he going?" He answered distractedly, he's going to get the vehicle so we can move Raine."

" But why? "

" Attwood's boss is on her way."

" Tom murmured quietly, to late she's here."

Michael stopped watching them approach he noticed Attwood looked tense. She stopped in front on him her look clinical and distant.

" Michael?" Michael dipped his head in acknowledgement.

" Do you have a last name?"

" Don't you know?"

She smiled coldly. " Its only a matter of time,you could cooperate its in your best interest to." Michael remained silent his eyebrow lifted sceptically.

Ignoring him she turned to Walter. " Where is the girl?" She stepped around him when he shifted cutting her off." I don't think so visitors right now isn't a good idea."

Looking up at Michael she slowly removed her sunglasses. " I'm taking you both in to custody until we can determine what's been going on. Now I can make it as painless or as painful as it has to be."

" Are you saying your arresting them Tom asked?"

" Protective custody,she answered cooly is the term I would use."

The corner of Michael's mouth lifted slightly. " You would. The fact remains the doctor doesn't want her moved."

She waved her hand brushing his objection aside. " We have physicians capable of taking care of her needs."

" She already has a Dr. he replied flatly."

" Excuse me.." She tried brushing past him his hand clasped her arm. " I said no visitors." The men behind her made a movement,small as it was he caught it.

Holding her gaze he smiled coldly." Do you really want them to require the services of this facility as well?"

" Let go of my arm. Now! " Glancing up he watched armed men appear from both ends of the hallway.

Looking down he watched her smile confidently." Now that you know whose in charge lets proceed shall we." Michael let go of her arm and stepped back. He watched her step toward Raine's door and turn the knob.

" Your right one should always know whose calling the shots."

Turning her head she stared at him cooly before she opened the door. " That's a lovely section of Washington you moved from shame to since its been revitalized that is."

She froze her eyes narrowed." Michael nodded coldly you are a powerful woman. But it occurs to me going through a messy divorce is difficult." Even more so when you've had a lover while you were still living with your spouse."

She inhaled sharply. " You don't know what your talking about."

He tilted his head to the side taunting her with his silence. Then he nodded. " Your right.. I have no idea what would happen to your lover if I don't make a phone call in an hour." Michael noticed her hand trembled a bit as she slowly closed the door.

Turning to fully face him she stared. " Your bluffing."

Glancing around, he automatically noted the number of men and their positions." I don't bluff. If I don't call the press will get a detailed packet who you are. Who you work for, your lover's name everything you've ever done, including what you had for dinner the nite before." You screwed up when you took Karen to get to Raine." I made it my business after that to learn all I could about you and how you operate."

She shrugged. " The press can be dealt with she gestured to the men. Take him."

" Aaah but the tragic suicide of your lover? "

Slowly the color drained from her face, she held up her hand signaling them to hold." I can't imagine even in these so called enlightened times your career surviving that as your ex-husband will substantiate everything to save face with his corporate law firm."

Michael's smile coldly. " He'll be a tragic figure betrayed. You will be a woman,in a highly classified area of the government that necessitates your discretion. Sadly an adulteress,responsible for tragic death of her lesbian lover." No sadly the world is still too bigoted to tolerate that many strikes against you."

Michael slowly using two fingers pulled his cell phone out holding it so everyone could see it wasn't a weapon punched redial." OK .. yes..its time." Passing her the phone,his face impassive as she took it from him listening to the sobbing on the other end.

She gasped," Allie O god baby are you alright? "

Those closest could here the hysterical crying at the other end when suddenly it went dead. Pulling the phone from her ear she stared at it,Michael pulled the phone from her numbed fingers. Repocketing his phone he stared impassively.

" Well what will it be?"

Straightening her mind scrambled trying to find a way out." I could simply take the girl out of here and that would insure your compliance." He nodded. " Its a good plan,it could work."

Her eyes narrowed," so tell me why I wont do just that."

" Because that would mean my babysitter would place another phone call he glanced at his watch. By 8pm this evening you wont have a job and I will have still gotten Raine."

She scoffed. " I think you over estimate your abilities who do you think your dealing with?"

He leaned in his voice hard. " I know who I'm dealing with so don't treat me like those incompetents you work for." Your government is split,the two factions are warring about what to do about Homo Dominant." We know this,we know a great many more things."

He shrugged," you've kept it quiet so far but we are everywhere,he gazed at her scornfully you don't appear stupid so don't act like it. There are always those desiring to curry favor. And the number grows everyday."

" Big man ehhh, she sneered."

" No, just one a great many don't want pissed at them."

" Fine she signaled lets clear out they hesitated a moment Now I said." Cautiously the men withdrew as quietly as they came. She turned heading down the hall she swung around.

" Allie better be home within the hour or I'm coming back. During visiting hours to visit your ..friend."

Michael tilted his head in acknowledgment.

Walter's eyes widened as he released a shaky breath. " That was quite unpleasant." Michael's mouth twitched as he went to open Raine's door.

" Michael is what you said true Sloan asked?"

He stared at her with a curiously intent expression. " What do you think?" She sighed, " I'll take that as a yes." He shrugged opening the door freezing in the entrance. Frowning Sloan tried to peer inside. " Michael? "

" Sloan is this the room Raine was in earlier?"

" Yes, worried she brushed passed him to see a empty bed. Gasping she turned hurrying toward the nurses desk. Michael moved into the middle of the room turning in a circle. Tom stepped in reaching to the right of the doorway he clicked on the light in the bathroom,stepping in he pushed the shower curtain aside.

Walter glanced around. " How did she get out without anyone seeing her?"

Michael walked to the empty IV stand. " She didn't do it alone."

Sloan came back with a nurse. " Look she's not here did they move her for further tests?" Frantic the nurse flipped thru the chart and shook her head no. " No tests were scheduled she was in this room,no one has been into see her since the young man left."

" Young man? " Michael prompted? " 5'11 blonde ratty jeans?"

" No no this man was at least 6'ft brown hair longish." The others looked at him warily as he gritted out Tate.

" I'll have Susan paged she mentioned something about a cute Doctor was in here when she checked on the patient. Excuse me I'm going to call the lab and see if there's been a mistake and they took her then I need to report this."

" Michael...I'm sure there's a logical explanation Sloan offered."

" Yes Walter agreed we'll start by calling Ed and see if he knows anything."

Michael opened his phone punching Cy's number he waited. At the click he asked impatiently" what took you so long? " Never mind where are you?" Walking to the window parting the blinds he checked the catch." OK. Have you seen Raine leave the building with anyone?" No he clenched his teeth I haven't lost her again.." Come on Cy the building's not that big." Yes or No?" Catching Walter's eye his eyebrow lifted questioningly.

Walter sighed." There's no answer I left a message."

" OK. Did you see Tate leave the building?" Alright no that's ok I'll let you know when I do." Call David tell him he can dump his package back where it belongs." Yes in tact. No they don't have her." No go home, then go to my place he sighed." I don't need this now. Fine then check out the university."

Closing his phone he looked at them each in turn. " Well? Tom shrugged glancing at Sloan. " We can stop by his apartment."

Staring at Sloan he asked grimly," why Sloan? " Why did he take her out of the hospital? "

She bit her lip. " We don't know it was Ed.." Maybe he heard them and slipped her out so they wouldn't take her.."

Michael looked sceptical.

" Michael lets not jump to conclusions. We're all tired its been a stressful few days. Let me check at the nurse's desk to see if they've found out anything further Walter offered." Frustrated he yanked his hair loose. Throwing the band across the room,he rubbed the side of his head.

" What choice do I have?"

" Raine?? Can you hear me?" Ed ran his hands thru his hair. " Come on Raine talk to me."

" I hear you she whispered where are we,clearing her throat are we safe? "

" Yes but I pulled off we need to ditch this thing before I'm arrested for stealing an ambulance. " If I live that long once Michael finds us."

Raine smiled weakly. " Michael will understand. I couldn't let them take me injured as I am he wouldn't try to escape himself he'd stay for me." This way with me gone he can't go all noble and honorable he can take care of himself." Reaching to clasp his hand. " Trust me Michael is logical about necessity." Her voice faded as her eyes drifted closed.

" Raine?"

Her eyes opened and blinked she smiled. " You'll see it'll be alright."

Ed shook his head" O man I think your the one that's going to see..Were are we going? " Raine..Raine??" Alright you talked me into this against my better judgement if you can't tell me where I'll take you to my place."

She cleared her throat, " No I don't want to be any trouble. Remember where my mother lived?"

" Yes... It shouldn't be to difficult finding it."

" Then take me home.."

" Raine is that such a good idea?" Is it safe?"

" Well I could go to Michael's but then he would go ballistic especially with you taking me besides would you return to the scene of the crime?"

Ed squeezed her hand. " OK.. your the boss remember though when Michael goes to kill me you talked me into this."

Michael leaned against the wall head back eyes closed,at the sound of footsteps he gathered his calm around him like a blanket. " Well?"

Walter sighed," I talked to Susan her description matched Ed alright and it seems their missing an ambulance,apparently that's how she was gotten out." All we can do now is wait Sloan and Tom are checking his apt." Your um friend is watching the university." " I'll head back to the lab in case they return there." Is there anywhere else you can think to check?"

He straightened off the wall and shrugged. " Maybe..I don't know I'll check my place out while we're waiting." There's another possibility its conceivable Lewis or some of his followers grabbed them."

" Michael lets not go borrowing trouble at this juncture lets work from the premise that they left voluntarily until evidence to the contrary." Walter reached into his pocket and took out a card. " Here this is my number if you find anything call." Is there a number we can reach you at? " Michael stared at him considering then hesitantly rattled off a number. " You'll hear a message then you will be forwarded onto me."

Walter nodded alright." I call if I find anything." He had turned to leave when Michael touched his shoulder he looked up quizzically.

" Thank you." Walter nodded before heading down the hall.