Without A Trace

Thirty-Three.

I pace in front of Thomas's big office doors, puffing heavily on my cigarette. Its been days since the accident happened and Anna is not coping with it well. She screams in her sleep for Lewis and we've had to use her medication a few different times just to keep her at bay.

"For fuck sakes," I say before just letting myself in. I walk across the room to Thomas's desk where he sits there staring at the papers on his desk next to Anna, who is standing next to him with a gun pointed to his head.

He leans up off his hands and looks over at her and points at her defeatedly, "This is why I cant let you go see him Anna. Not when you're like this."

Anna sits there as tears fall down her face, the gun shaking in her hand, "I want to see my fuckin husband Thomas."

"I know, but I cant let you see him when you have a gun pointed to my head," He says lighting a cigarette.

I walk up to her and take the gun from her hand, "You can't go see Lewis if this is how you're going to act. I know you miss him and want to see him but you can't if you're going to make irrational decisions. The last thing we need for you to do is blow a nurses fuckin head off at the hospital."

Anna sits in the chair and sinks in it putting her head in her hands, "I just want to see Lewis. And if you keep me cooped up in this fuckin house any longer I will seriously have a fuckin meltdown like nobodys ever seen."

"Did you speak with him today?" I ask sitting next to her.

"Yes and he says he feels much better today," Anna says wiping the tears off her face. "Did you find who did it?" She asks looking up at Thomas, clearing her throat.

"No. We don't know who did it and we probably wont know since none of us were around besides Lewis. When he gets home we'll discuss it further but I dont think now is the best time to bring it up to him," Thomas says taking a seat in his chair before crossing his hands on his desk, looking over at Anna. "I will have Cora take you to the hospital. But you HAVE to calm down. You cannot be acting erratic up there. I will have Cora disarm you before you go."

Annas eyes light up slightly. Thomas tone grows stern, "I fuckin mean it Anna. You get erratic at all while you're there, and you will not fuckin go up there again. Am I clear with you?"

Anna nods her head, "Yes Tom..very clear."

He nods his head before I take Anna and walk out of the room closing the big doors behind me. I whistle for Ivy as we make our way into the livingroom and she joins us there.

"Tom is letting us take Anna to the hospital. But she has to be disarmed and I want you go draw up a syringe Ivy," I say putting my vest on.

"Cora please I don't need another one-" Anna says getting worked up.

I hold my hand up to her to stop and look at her green eyes, "That right there is why we're bringing one. You cant chill the fuck out, then we will assist you with it," I say looking back at Ivy who is walking in my direction with the syringe. I stick it in my pocket and head towards the door with the girls. Thomas meets us there before I take the pins out of Annas hair and put them in his hand. I take the knife out of her boot and give it to him as well while Ivy takes Annas gun out of her holster and gives it to him. I run my fingers through her belt and take another small knife out of it and give it to Tom.

"Thats everything," Ivy says after giving Anna a really thorough pat down.

Thomas shifts his attention to Anna, "I mean it, this is your one chance," he says sternly before turning and walking back towards his office.

I open the door and hold it open for the girls to file out before I join them closing the door behind me. I walk down the cobblestone road next to Anna who is a nervous wreck.

"Doctors said whoever it was just missed his brain. They dont know how but it was a miracle," She says as she steps through a puddle, causing the water to splash around her feet.

"Yeah well, Lewis is a special man. Can't kill a Shelby that easily eh?" I say sticking the cigarette in my mouth and lighting it. "These men have fuckin steel and iron running through their veins."

"At least he gets to come home in a few days as long as hes stable enough," Ivy chimes in walking with her hands in her pockets. "Michael is working on tapping into the video system for us so we can try and get a clear image of who it was and where they came from. Also if they came with anybody," She says glancing in the small shop windows as we walk by.

"Thats good," Anna says with a small smile. "That's really good."

"When we get there Anna you are to not ask him a single fuckin question about what happened or what the person looked like," I say turning the corner to head towards the hospital, "He doesn't need to focus on that. He needs to focus on getting better so he can come home."

"Alright," She says taking a deep breath. I stop her as we approach the hospital doors.

"I'm serious Anna. His mind is still in a fragile state the nurse said. So do not ask him a single question about it," I say looking into her eyes. She gives me a nod as we head inside and walk up to the nurses station.

Annas hands become sweaty as she wipes them on her pant legs, licking her dried lips, "Lewis Shelby, please."

The nurse flips through the files, "And who are you to him?" She asks meeting Annas gaze.

"His wife. These are his sister in laws as well," She says motioning to me and Ivy.

"Alrighty," she says with a soft smile, "Room 157."

I thank her before walking in the direction to the room. Annas anxiety hightens at the sounds of other screaming patients yelling out in pain or calling for help. We walk up to Lewis room and I stand in the doorway and rest my hands on her shoulders, "Take a few deep breaths before we go in there. Hes got bandages on and might look a little rough. Try and keep yourself together as long as possible eh?" I say sighing softly, "I dont want to have to sedate you here."

Anna takes a few deep breaths before noding. I move out of the way and she steps into the room pulling the curtain to the side.

Lewis sits there with a bandage around his head with multiple bruises along his body and small cuts on his face. Her face becomes hot as she takes a seat next to him, slipping her hand onto his.

She fights back tears as she opens her mouth, "Lewis, I'm here lovey."

Lewis pulls his eyes open before slowly meeting her gaze. He gives a small smile, "Theres my beautiful girl."