AUTHORS NOTES:::

First off, Please forgive me for not updating in nearly three years. I had many many things going on, to where getting out of bed to go to work, much less do ANYTHING was the most, agonizing chore EVER! I recently got back on the computer to see what, if any, of my writings could be salvaged. It's going to take a bit of time, But bear with me. Please. THANK YOU!

Anytime You need a Friend:

Chapter 44

Spike thanked the Doctor and hung up the phone. He turned to the rest of the team and smiled. They couldn't mistake his grin. They swarmed him hugging and congratulating. Spike was trying hard not to cry. He just had to figure out what to do with Amelia so he could go up and see Callie. Sam made the decision for him. He and Jules would hang at the house until Spike got back, and Greg would drive Spike.

"Take your time Spike, Jules and I aren't doing anything else. Give her hugs from us though." Sam said, leaning back in his chair. Spike nodded, taking his dishes to the sink. The others started cleaning up the messes they had made and left to go home one by one.

Spike ran upstairs to get his jacket, as it was a little chilly. He could barely move in a straight line. He found that he was so nervous about seeing Callie. He couldn't figure out why though. He made a mental note to ask Greg if Callie would be facing charges for kidnapping Sanchez. He hoped not. He stopped by Callie's room, to grab the bag that he had packed for her to keep himself busy one night and hurried back downstairs.

"Spike? You ready to go? I'm ready whenever you are." After a couple minutes, They were on their way. Spike was excited, but also a little apprehensive. He wondered just how alert Callie would be and if she would still be awake when they got there. He was concerned that she might still face charges for what she did to Sanchez prior to him assaulting her. He knew too, that she'd have a bit of a hard road ahead of her.

He was tapping nervously on knee when Greg nudged him. He looked over guiltily. He knew that Greg might get annoyed with the constant repetitive movement, but he hoped he had understood that Spike was obviously nervous. He patted Spike's shoulder and continued to drive in silence, using the lights but no siren. Something that Spike was very grateful for. He sipped the coffee that he had grabbed on his way out.

"Spike? She's ok. She is awake, and you are hopping around like you sat on an anthill. You're giving me a complex, and that doesn't happen very often, so stop and relax. She will probably have to be questioned for her involvement; You know that." Spike nodded absently. Then realized that Greg probably couldn't see his face in the car. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

"I know Boss, I'm sorry. I'm just nervous I guess. I'm afraid that I don't really know what to say to her. Which reminds me. Is she going to face charges for having kidnapped Sanchez? She's going to need to know this information, and so will I, so I can give Sean the headsup." Greg answered that he didn't know, but that he would check for sure in the morning and they drove the rest of the way in silence.

When they got there, Spike waited patiently until Greg had parked the car and shut it off before unlocking the doors. Spike tried not to bolt, and Greg finally just looked at him and told him he'd catch up. Spike dashed off, Hitting the elevator before Greg even closed his door. Greg was purposely dawdling to give Spike some time alone with Callie, before he popped in to see how Callie was doing for himself.

Normally they wouldn't be allowed in that late at night, visiting hours and all, but the Dr. was making an exception. He knew that Spike would be frantic when he got here, so he wanted to work with him. Team One had helped him out when people had broken into his home and tried to kill him and had nearly killed his pregnant wife. So he saw this as returning the favor in a very small way.

When Spike got to the correct floor, he forced himself to stop and slow his breathing. He didn't want to alarm anyone nor did he want to scare Callie. When he felt in control of his breathing, he walked slowly to the front desk on the floor. There was one, lone, young woman sitting there and Spike cleared his throat before getting there to make noise. She looked up and smiled.

"Hi Mr. Scarlatti. Dr. Spokane said to expect you. I think he was taking bets on how fast you would get here. You used the lights and siren didn't you? I just checked on Callie, and she appeared to be sleeping, but I am sure that she will wake up quickly if you speak to her." Spike nodded and smiled at her, thanking her for taking good care of his daughter, nodding his head at the lights and siren comment.

"When will Dr. Spokane be back around? I wanted to talk to him about discharge in the future at some point. I know Callie probaly won't be ready for discharge for a few weeks, but I just want to get a jump on the changes and preparations that I will have to make for when she does come home." The nurse nodded and paged the Dr. Spike smiled at her gratefully and turned towards Callie's room.

He went to her room and opened the door. She was laying on her back, rubbing her eyes. He could see that her leg was straight out, and had a brace around it, keep her leg straight and immobile. He still thought she was beautiful. She was his daughter, and while he grieved for her pain, he was still proud of her for trying to right what justice system failed to do. He was caught up in his musings, he failed to noticed that Callie was looking right at him.

"Daddy? I've missed you. So very much and I am so sorry for what I did. I hope that I didn't bring shame to your name." Spike flew to her side and started crying. They hugged for the longest time, ignoring everything but the two of them. Spike had so many things to say, but they didn't matter at that moment. After a few moments, he sat back, looked her over, taking a visual inventory and they talked.

He told her what Amelia had been up to with preschool, with home, How she got into trouble by her teacher for punching a little boy because he had been flipping up her skirt and was, in her words, Annoying. He glossed over how work had been going for also filled her in on all the things that had been going on with the team. He told her that they'd all be up probably in the morning to see her.

"Dad, Dr. Spokane was in, and told me what all they did to my knee, I'm lucky to be alive. I want you to know first hand, I wasn't going to kill Sanchez. I was just so tired of no one doing anything to protect me. it wasn't fair. I was tired of living in Fear. I know he's going to keep coming after me. Where is Amelia right now?" Spike Smiled. He realized that no one had been able to tell her.

"Amelia is in bed at home. Sam and Jules are hanging with her until I get back. Greg drove me here and the others I presume are at home. You will probably be here a few more days, and I am sure you are looking at some serious rehabiliation for your knee. I will bring Amelia by after school tomorrow, if you are up to it. I know she's eager to see you as you are her." Callie nodded and settled back.

After a couple hours of sitting and talking with her, Spike bid her goodnight, saying he needed to get back to Amelia. Callie nodded and made him promise to bring her tomorrow after school. Spike had already planned on keeping Amelia out of school and getting food from McDonalds to have a little picnic with Callie. He was also going to call Sean to come in and talk to Callie just in case they tried to go after her for kidnapping Sanchez.

"Callie? How are you feeling? I won't take too long, just wanted to give Spike some time with you, before I popped in." Greg came in and sat down after giving her a hug. She smiled and readjusted her leg before answering.

"Honestly? Grateful to be alive. and embarressed at the complete lack of control that possessed me to go after Sanchez. Am I going to be arrested?" She looked so anxious. Greg shook his head.

"I don't know. I do know that the detectives want to interview you. And Spike and I will be here when they do that. You aren't going through that alone.I don't know when they want to do that." Just then there was a knock on the door frame.

"Spike, Greg. How are you both tonight? Callie, How are you feeling? I'm going to do a quick exam, if thats alright with you." Callie nodded and reached her hand out for a shake. Dr Spokane sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her.

"Nice to meet you Dr. Spokane. Thank you so much for taking care of me. How soon do you think I might be getting out of here? I know probably not for at least a couple weeks." Dr Spokane laughed and shook his head.

"Not for at least three weeks Callie. You had a lot of traumatic things happen to you recently and there's a lot of things to be looked at, considered, Gone through. You're going to have alot of different therapy. Physical, Mental, Occupational. We will check your progress every 3 days and see where we stand at the end of the three weeks."

Callie sighed. She knew it was going to be a long road, But she had hope that she would be ok. She wasn't talking to the hospital shrink, She would talk to Gary. Him, she trusted. The hospital shrink was a dick and she didn't like him. She was pulled from her musings when the Dr. stood up and stretched.

"Don't worry Callie. You'll do fine. Now, I suggest that you relax, get some rest. You'll feel better tomorrow. Spike, Greg, I will see you later." He left the room and Spike looked at Greg. Greg hugged Callie again and said good night, told Spike he would wait for him downstairs and left. Spike hugged Callie as tight as he could without hurting her and kissed her forehead.

"I will be be back tomorrow some time sweetie. I love you. I will bring Amelia too. And I might even bring you something to eat for lunch. Just text me." Callie nodded and pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes. Spike said a small prayer over her and walked out the door, letting her rest.

As soon as he left, Callie sat up and bowed her head in prayer. She also resolved to call Gary the next morning and have him to come see her so they could make plans for therapy. After a few moments, she lay back down and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep, calm about whatever the next day would hold.

*****SECOND NOTE:: Thank you for being so patient with me. Things have been crazy, yes, but they are getting better. I am working on more chapters and hope to post some more before the year is out.