Brave Enough

Twenty - Eight

4 AM -

The phone rings from inside Buck's room. "Hello?" He answers on the fourth ring.

"I'm looking for an Evan Buckley. I'm a Kennedy Baines a nurse at James' hospital," Buck sits up in his bed.

"This is Buck. Is she okay? Is the baby alright?" He runs a hand through his hair.

"They're both fine. James is up and alert asking for you and Cleo. I was given permission to call and allow you into her room," Kennedy says.

"We'll be there in fifteen minutes," Buck jumps out of bed throwing on pants and a shirt. "Thank you," He says before hanging up. He packs a bag of toys for Cleo and some snacks. He lifts Cleo out of bed and runs out the door locking it behind him. He straps Cleo into her car seat in the back of James' car.

"I'm Evan Buckley. A nurse named Kennedy Baines called me," Buck says to a honey eyed nurse at the desk. She smiles.

"Hello Buck. Come on with me. I'm Kennedy she's this way," Kennedy says leading Buck into a hospital patient room. "She started asking for you as soon as she woke up. Then she started panicking. She's about to have a sonogram because she didn't believe the baby was okay," she looks at Buckley holding Cleo in his arms. "It's why I was allowed to have you come in. So you could see your child for the first time."

      Buck's step falters a bit at the thought of seeing his child. He loved children and loved helping James raise Cleo. But the thought of being a dad scared him a little. The door opens and James' head turns to him. She smiles. "Hey Buck. I'm sorry," she says.

       "Babe why are you sorry?" Buck asks her.

       "Because I was attacked. I heard you panicking. And then you got stuck with Cleo. And the baby. Oh our baby. Buck I was going to tell you at dinner..." she trails off. She flinches as the nurse squeezes a glob of gel on her stomach. Buck sits in the chair still holding Cleo. The minute the wand hit her abdomen you could hear a strong heart beat. James starts to cry uncontrollably. "Buck. I can understand if you don't want to be a father yet. But I can't lose this one too. I can't go through it again," James says.

"Baby. We're doing this together. You and me. We'll raise our baby and Cleo together. Maybe a few more," Buck says wiggling his eyebrows making James laugh. But then his eyebrows narrow. "James what do you mean this one too? Were you pregnant before?"

She looks away, "a year and a half ago, before I left Colin, I found out I was pregnant. I thought it would make him calmer. But it just made him more angry. He yelled. 'Billie you should have been more careful. Billie you whore. Billie get an abortion.' I refused. I told him no I would not have an abortion. So he hit me. He knocked me down and kicked me until I...," James pauses.

"James, did he force a miscarriage?" Buck asks. She won't look at him but tearfully nods. "Baby I will never let him hurt you again."

"I was in so much pain. But he got called into work while I was in the hospital. So I snuck out while there were no doctors. I got a bus ticket and never looked back. I started going by my first name because I never told him my first name. He always assumed that because I went by Willa and Billie that my first name was Willamena but it's my middle name. I changed everything over to James and then he started calling again. At odd times at night."

"Congratulations on the little ones. Would you like to know what you're having?" Kennedy says. James and Buck both look in shock at the nurse.

"Little ones?" They both ask.

"Yes. I've picked up a second heart beat. Looks like twins. Both healthy little beans," Kennedy smiles again. "You two are going to have a busy house. It will be wonderful."

***

"911 what is your emergency?" Maddie answers the line.

"Help please send help. This is officer Thomas Mathers. I was escorting suspect Colin Timers to the jail. He's escaped and taken my gun and taser. He's armed and dangerous. Suspect is a tall white male, dark hair, with brown eyes. He has a cross tattoo on his right bicep and a jagged scar on his right eye. I've been shot and I am bleeding out," officer Mathers says. "I'm on the corner of Halst and Poler. Please send help."

        "Okay Officer Mathers please stay on the line I'm sending help your way," Maddie says. Trying not to let the fear in her slip into voice.

       "All available units officer down. Corner of Halst and Poler. Suspect is Colin Timers tall white male, dark hair and a visible scar over his right eye. Suspect is armed and dangerous. Medical assistance needed," Maddie calls over the radio.

        "Officer Grant responding. Back up requested," Athena says.

        The alarms ring at the firehouse. The call is spoken through the speaker. "Alright no one alert Buck. He will do something reckless and get himself hurt or arrested," Bobby says as Hen and Chimney leave in the ambulance.

       "Have you heard anything? How is she?" Eddie asks.

        "They said she's going to be okay. They just need to get the bleeding under control," Bobby responds.

        "I need to tell you something Bobby. But I really need you not to tell anyone. I've already spoken to Athena and the admitting doctor. But I think it's something Buck needs to hear from James," Eddie says nervously. Bobby nods. "Bobby when we got to her her skirt was slightly pushed up and her underwear was around her ankles."

        "He raped her," is all Bobby could say. Anger rippling through him. "I'm surprised Athena was so calm when we spoke. She and Maddie love that girl like she's their own child." Bobby stops talking. "Eddie. Maddie took that call. Maddie is probably terrified right now."

***

       Two officers arrive at the hospital to guard James' hospital room. Buck climbs off the cot leaving Cleo snuggled with her stuffed bear. "Um Hello? May I ask what's going on? They've already caught her attacker. Why would you be guarding her door?" He asks the officer.

       "Sorry kid. We assumed you and your girlfriend had been informed. Colin has escaped and shot an officer. The three of you are under protective services until further notice. The nurses will be bringing you a cot shortly."