Well...It's been a very long year and I won't bore you with the difficult tale of my life. I know this is short, but I really wanted to get something out.
Carlos carried a sobbing Katie down the hallway to the waiting area. Both of his arms were wrapped around the little girl, who was clinging to him tightly, so he kicked the door, hoping someone would open.
Brooke opened the door. "What happened?" She asked.
Carlos shook his head as he walked past her and sat with Katie in one of the armchairs. "Shh, shh hermanita," he whispered as he gently pulled Katie up so her head was resting on his shoulder.
"What's going on, is Kendall okay?" James asked as he watched Carlos try to calm Katie.
"He's fine, he just had a bad dream," Carlos told him.
James started for the door but Carlos shook his head again. "Don't. Mama Knight is with him and they just gave him something so he'd sleep," Carlos said, trying to keep his voice quiet.
"But..." James started.
"He's right, Darling. Let's wait a little while and then give Jen a break," Brooke said, taking his arm and pulling him back to the seating area.
"Is she okay?" Logan quietly asked Carlos, watching the little girl cry into his friend's shirt.
Carlos ignored him as he softly started singing one of Katie's favourite songs, a lullaby called Song of the Sea, from a movie they had gone and seen together.
After a few minutes, Katie had calmed down and curled up in Carlos' arms. She finally drifted off to sleep, listening to his soft voice.
Gustavo watched as Jen and Olivia calmed Kendall down. His anger was growing again as he contemplated the options for dealing with the press. Bower knew one of the boys was there and wouldn't stop until he had a story. He motioned for Freight Train to join him and walked out into the hallway.
"The paparazzi is already here. I wouldn't put it past them to dress up like hospital staff, so NO one without the proper credentials goes in that room," Gustavo ordered.
Freight Train nodded. "No one will."
Gustavo saw Antonio walking down the hallway and headed towards him. "Officer Garcia, we need to talk."
Antonio nodded and followed Gustavo back to Kendall's room. "Gustavo, please call me Antonio."
"Offi-Antonio, Carlos and I ran into paparazzi in the cafeteria. Security booted him, but I know these people and they will be back. We need to decide what to tell the press and we need to do it soon," Gustavo told him.
"What were you thinking?" Antonio asked.
"I'm not sure. At first, I thought about just saying he was in here for appendicitis, or something like that. But, the fact people saw him in the park may raise suspicions. We need to say something that will explain that, in case it comes up."
"I agree. Maybe we should just say he was mugged and the police are investigating," Antonio suggested.
"That would work, but I want to okay it with his mom and doctor, first," Gustavo said.
"Probably a good idea. We'll need to brief the boys on what they can and can't say, and make sure one of us is with them at all times."
"They won't be going anywhere without security. I've already called three bodyguards I've worked with in the past, one for each of the boys, they should be here later today. Freight Train will be staying with Kendall, here and at my place," Gustavo told him.
Antonio smiled at him. "You're a good man, Gustavo. You're loud, but a good man."
"Well, if people would listen the first time, maybe I wouldn't have to yell so much," Gustavo said with a half smile.
"You chose the wrong boys for that," Antonio chuckled, patting Gustavo on the back.
"I wouldn't change it for the world," Gustavo said. Or maybe I would, he thought sadly, looking through the window at Kendall.
Antonio went into Kendall's room and watched Jen as she tried to comfort her son. She was softly humming as she held Kendall's hand and gently rubbed his fingers. The teen had fallen back to sleep but must have been dreaming, as he was making small movements in his sleep.
His anger grew again, but he pushed it down and walked over to the bed. He gently squeezed her shoulder. "When you can, we need to discuss what to tell the press," he said quietly.
Jen sighed and nodded. She didn't want to think about any of that right now, but knew they needed to do something before things got out of hand. "In a few minutes."
Olivia tapped his arm and gestured for him to follow her to the other side of the room. "Any idea what you're going to say?"
"Probably that he was mugged and found in the park. Chances are someone saw him and that would be the simplest explanation," he told her.
"Vague is better," Olivia agreed.
"Gustavo is going to arrange a small press conference, but we need to be sure of what we're going tell them ahead of time."
Olivia nodded. "This isn't going to be easy for anyone."
"No, it's not," Antonio said.
Jen tucked Kendall's hand under the blanket, reached down, and kissed his forehead. "It's going to be okay, baby. I promise."
Kendall mumbled something but didn't wake, so she went over and joined Antonio and Olivia. "So, what's happening?"
Antonio explained what had happened in the cafeteria and Jen's eyes teared up. She shook her head, trying to clear it. "What are we going to do? They will never stop, they never do," she said.
"Gustavo is arranging things now, we're just going to tell them Kendall was mugged and leave it at that," Antonio told her.
"I don't think I can do this," Jen said, feeling very tired.
"You don't have to. Gustavo and Kelly can handle it, I will be there to back them up," Antonio said.
"A-Are you sure? Won't they think it's strange that I'm not there?" Jen asked.
"No, it's perfectly natural that you would be with your son, not speaking to the paparazzi, while he's in the hospital," Olivia said.
Jen nodded. "Okay, thank you."
"There are other things we need to discuss, but it can wait until after the press conference," Antonio said.
"Like what?" Jen asked.
"The police found the boys' car and there were bottles of shampoo samples in the bathroom. Officer Jordan is going to drop off the bottles, check out the car, and then he'll be back here to go over everything," Antonio told her.
"What about Griffin?" Jen asked quietly.
"He's still awaiting arraignment. It will probably take a while and it's unlikely he'll be granted bail," Antonio said.
"What if they do let him out? If he did this, he could do something else!" Jen said, trying not to panic.
"Honey, he's being charged with several class 'A' felonies, I doubt he'll be granted bail. If he is, he'll be ordered to stay away and probably be under house arrest and wearing an ankle bracelet. He won't get near any of you," Antonio promised.
"B-But..."
"Gustavo has also hired bodyguards for each of the boys and Freight Train isn't going anywhere. He will be watching over Kendall, here and at Gustavo's when he's released," Antonio said.
Jen nodded. "Okay, everything is going to be alright?" She asked looking from Antonio to Olivia.
Olivia gave her a small smile. "It will be, and we are all here for you and the children."
"Thank you," Jen said as she fought back more tears.
Antonio pulled her close.
She broke down, wrapped her arms around him, and sobbed into his shirt. "M-My baby!"
"I know, honey. It's going to be okay, we'll all get through this and I will see to it that Griffin pays for what he's done," Antonio promised.
Griffin sat in stony silence as the guards made the rounds for the second time since he'd been placed in the cell.
"Finally decided to be quiet?" One of the guards asked.
"You will be very sorry, once my attorney gets me out of here," Griffin growled.
The guard shook his head. "Trying to add more charges to list?"
"I don't think you understand who you're dealing with," Griffin said smugly.
"I know exactly who I'm dealing with, and like I said before, keep it up and you'll be getting a cellmate," the guard said, looking at Griffin coldly.
"Your threats are duly noted and will be discussed with my attorney and your superior officers."
The guard took a step closer to the cell bars. "You just don't get it do you? You may be hot shit out in the 'real world', but in here you are the lowest of the low, and you would do well to remember that all of those stories about what happens to pedos and rapists in jail, are true."
"I AM NOT A PEDOPHILE!" Griffin yelled.
"Keep yelling about it, see how far it gets you," the guard chuckled, as he started back down the row of cells.
"I will have your badge!" Griffin threatened.
"You should stop before they make good on their promise," Sands called out from his cell.
"They aren't allowed," Griffin huffed.
"Don't be too sure. The jail is overcrowded and the only reason you don't have a cellmate is because you haven't been arraigned yet. Don't give them a reason because you won't like having company," Sands warned.
"If it's so crowded why don't you have a cellmate?" Griffin asked.
"My temper," Sands said simply.
"What about it?" Griffin asked.
"You don't want to know," Sands told him.
"The job offer still stands," Griffin said, still hoping to convince the man to work for him.
"You still don't know anything about me, how do you know you'll like having me work for you?"
"I need people who are committed to doing the right thing and I think you could help me find the person responsible for what happened," Griffin said carefully.
"What if I find out you're the one responsible?" Sands asked, watching Griffin closely.
"You won't, because I did nothing wrong. Once my attorney gets me out of here, I'll be able to track down the doctor who was drugging the boy and he will know more."
"You'll pay my legal fees and clear things with the parole board?" Sands asked.
"Definitely." Griffin smiled.
"And my pay?"
"Two thousand a week, to start, plus expenses, and a five thousand dollar sign-on bonus. You'll be guarding the young man once he's released from the hospital and into my care," Griffin told him.
"That's quite a chunk of change," Sands said.
"That's just the beginning. Once you've proven your loyalty to me, the sky's the limit."
Sands stood there, mulling the offer over. "Besides a salary and legal fees, I want full medical for my family. Prepaid for five years, regardless if I stay working for you or not, that's non-negotiable."
"You'll have the very best," Griffin promised.
Sands shook his head. "I don't need your idea of the very best. My doctors, my choice, COMPLETE coverage."
Griffin smiled again. "Done."
Sands stood up and looked over at Griffin. "If you try to screw me over, you'll find out how bad my temper can be. Still want to hire me?"
"Without a doubt," Griffin said.
"Well, then I guess I have a new job," Sands said.
"Yes, you do," Griffin said, mentally congratulating himself on his new acquisition.
Kendall heard soft whispers and tried to focus on them. He thought he could hear his mother, but the voices faded in and out. A few moments later, he heard a man's voice and felt a surge of panic go through him, although he wasn't sure why. He tried to open his eyes but his body refused to obey his simple request. He tried to move his arms, but the only response he could feel was a slight twitching in his hands and legs. He heard a loud beeping as his chest tightened up and could feel tears start to fall from his unopened eyes.