Progression Series 17 Lying in Wait

by Beth Manz

  "Told him I couldn't do my job without my partner, huh?"

  "Nah. Actually I told him I was getting tired of seeing you lazing around the bullpen all day, eating donuts and drinking my coffee."

  Jim scowled good-naturedly at his captain. "Oh, that's great, Simon. It's bad enough that Collier doesn't like me in the first place but now he thinks I'm not pulling my weight."

  Simon chuckled, standing and reaching out to pat his detective on the shoulder. "Anything I can do to help." He moved toward the door but stopped before exiting and glanced back again. "Don't stay too long, Jim. You need your rest almost as much as Sandburg does."

  "I know, Simon, and I appreciate your concern." Jim looked down fondly at Blair. "I just want to be sure he's settled here first." He looked up at Simon again. "As soon as I'm sure he's going to be comfortable, I'll go home."

  "Jim," Simon said softly. "You can relax. Blair is fine."

  Jim reached out and stroked a hand through Blair's hair, nodding slightly. "Yeah," he breathed. "And I'm going to make sure he stays that way."

  Epilogue

  Nurse Leah Albright walked down the hall toward room 407. It was late, after midnight, and the floor was peaceful, most of the patients asleep for the night. Her shift was over but she wanted to check in on Blair Sandburg one last time before going home. She'd heard about his rooftop heroics earlier today and just wanted to make sure he was still resting comfortably.

  Pushing through the door to his room, she was surprised to see a doctor standing beside the bed, reading through Sandburg's chart. She frowned. Most of the doctors she knew didn't make hospital visits this late. But then again...she didn't recognize this doctor.

  Maybe he's new and trying to make a good impression.

  "Hello, Doctor," she greeted warmly.

  The man looked up, his green eyes seeming to scrutinize her. For a moment, she was uncomfortable under his gaze. But then he smiled and Leah relaxed. "Good evening, Nurse. You're checking in a bit early, aren't you? The chart says Mr. Sandburg's next meds aren't due for another hour or so."

  She moved closer to the bed, her gaze shifting down to Blair. "I know. I just wanted to make sure he was resting comfortably before I left for the evening." Reaching out, she straightened the blanket covering the young man, tucking it closer to his side. "This patient is...well, rather special to me."

  The doctor smiled again and looked down fondly at the sleeping man. "I feel the same way," he said softly.

  And then, to Leah's surprise, the doctor reached out and brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen across Blair's forehead. His hand lingered for a moment, gently stroking the side of the sleeping man's cheek. "He's very special indeed."

  Leah smiled. Rarely did she meet a doctor who was this open, this caring with their patients. It was refreshing...and more than a little touching.

  She studied the doctor, taking in the trim, athletic build, the neatly groomed beard that hid what she was certain were very handsome features. But what piqued her interest the most was the way the doctor kept fussing over Blair...the careful touches, the expression of genuine concern in his green eyes.

  "I don't think I've ever seen you here before, Doctor," she said after a few moments, "yet you seem to know Blair. Was he a patient of yours somewhere else?"

  The doctor nodded, his gaze never leaving Sandburg. "Yes. I know his history very well."

  And in his voice, Leah could hear sincere fondness. "Seems he's had his share of bad luck," she mused softly.

  "Not bad luck, Nurse. Violence." The doctor looked up again, his eyes taking on a distant look. "No one this young should have so much violence in his life."

  "Perhaps his life will take a good turn soon," Leah offered. "Perhaps he'll be spared any additional violence."

  "Yes," the doctor breathed, "perhaps you're right." Taking one last look at Sandburg, he smiled warmly. Then he looked over at Leah. "Well, I can see our young patient is in good hands, so I'll be leaving."

  "Thank you," she replied to his compliment, smiling in return. "Have a good night, Dr...." Her voice trailed off as her gaze swept over the man's white lab coat, searching for a nametag. She was surprised to find he wasn't wearing one.

  "Grant," the man offered magnanimously. "Dr. Marcus Grant."

  The End