Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
timeline: AU set after Diamonds are Forever
Notes: This turned into my version of Jo finding out Henry's secret. This was also a challenge to myself to see if I could finish a story before posting and this one is very nearly finished. :)
summary: Henry knows Jo is far from fragile and doesn't need his protection. What happened with Dunn is a reminder that life was fragile and he has to protect her from his demons.

Doctor Henry Morgan stood in the doorway to the morgue. It was nearly three in the morning on a tuesday; check that Wednesday in early October. There was no one here; Henry had made sure of that. He wanted to say goodbye to this place that had been home more than anywhere else for the last six years. Leaving this life was going to be the hardest of his two hundred year existence. The medical examiner knew it was for the best. Staying was too much of a risk. Too much of a risk for his heart; and for the people he cared about.

Abe would stay behind for a few days taking care of renting out their apartment and finding someone to run the Antique store. Henry was tempted to change his plans so his son wouldn't find him. Adam was a danger that he needed to protect Abe from. With a sigh Henry shook his head he knew Abe would find him no matter how long it took. In doing so he might lead others and that would defeat the purpose of leaving this life.

Saying goodbye to the morgue was the only goodbye Henry had allowed himself. The others would be too difficult. Especially to a certain beautiful homicide detective who had already had enough pain in her life. After a few more minutes of silent reflection Henry shut the lights of the morgue off for the last time and left.

Detective Mike Hanson was sure he was hearing things. He did a double take at Lucas Wahl who was scurrying around the morgue like the proverbial beheaded chicken.

"Gone?"Mike repeated in disbelief. "What do you mean gone?"

"Quit, resigned, no longer employed."Lucas explained as he came to a stop in front of an examine table that held the latest murder victim. "Take your pick."

Mike shook his head as he glanced at the dark office of the lead medical examiner. He was glad he'd arrived ahead of his partner Jo Martinez. She'd had a rough few weeks as it was and to add this to it was not going to make for a pleasant morning. Mike had considered Henry a friend as well so it was more than a surprise to find the doctor had quit.

"He gave no warning?"Mike wondered. "Didn't say anything to you about..."

"Does it look like he gave me any warning?"Lucas interrupted his voice rising slightly. "Sorry...no all I had was a call from our boss saying I had to quote 'hold the fort' until the temporary fill in arrived from Chicago later today."

"What tempoary fill in?"Jo Martinez asked.

Mike swore silently he hadn't heard his partner come in. He turned to face the dark haired woman. Jo was looking from them to Henry's dark and closed office and back again.

"Henry on vacation?"Jo asked. "He didn't mention anything."

"Uh...not exactly."Lucas responded busying himself with organizing tools.

Mike ran a hand through his dark hair wishing he had more information for his friend. Wished he could find Morgan and drag him back. What was that old saying...if wishes were horses?

"What's going on?"Jo asked quietly.

"Henry's gone."Mike stated simply. "Quit."

"He would've told me."Jo protested. "There's been a mistake."

"Got the call from boss man myself."Lucas interjected. "Not Doc but next level boss..."

Jo walked to Henry's office and opened the door and flipped on the light. Even from where he was Mike could see it'd been cleaned out. Not that Henry had ever had that many personal momentos but it had clearly been emptied. Furniture and computer were still there but nothing else as if it was waiting for it's next owner. Five minutes later when Jo remained where she was Mike joined his partner. He could tell she was trying to hold it together.

"Why didn't he tell us?"Jo whispered.

"Some people don't do goodbyes well."Mike offered softly. "I'm sure Doc had his reasons."

Without another word Jo stepped out of the office and walked back to Lucas. Mike sighed and turned the lights off and shut the door. He wished he knew what Morgan's reasons were because right now things weren't making any sense.