The doctor sighed

"All I can do is look Jaime over, explain what I think to the social workers along with your statement, then from there its in their hands. Child Abuse is illegal Mr Duke...I have to take proper action..."

"I know that...meantime...while you're all wading through the red tape a little girl's life is at stake!"

"Sir, she is in safe hands here in the hospital. She's under constant surviellence..."

Luke sighed but managed a nod.

The doctor nodded and started to walk away.

Luke sank into a nearby chair.

Bo swallowed softly and looked to Luke.

"You okay?"

"No...I'm far from it."

Swallowing, Bo put an arm around his cousins shoulders, squeezing gently.

"It'll be ok..."

Luke swallowed, nodding a little. He wished that he could see Jaime. Then, as a thought occured to him he starts thinking about her. "I'm nearby Jaime...you ain't alone...I promise." He didn't know if she could hear his thoughts or not, but if she could Luke would at least be with her that way.

But, sure enough, out of no where her voice rang back at him...even in mind speak she sounded weak.

"Thank you...."

Luke didn't say anything else. He asn't sure what else to say, so he just sat...and waited.

Eventually, the police came into the waiting room, taking Bo away for his statement on what he knew and to conduct the interview with Luke so he could tell his side of the story.

Luke swallowed hard, hating that he felt like a criminal.

After a while, the police left and Bo was allowed to return to Luke's side where they could do nothing but wait. Personally, Bo didn't see what the point was in waiting - the doctor has said it was unlikely Luke would be allowed to see Jaime anyway. But this was important to Luke and so he would stick by his cousin whatever he decided to do.

After several more hours, the doctor came back.

"Mr Duke...Jaime has asked to see you..."

Luke swallowed and stood up, following the doctors to Jaime's room.

The doctor led Luke to Jaime's ICU room and showed him in.

Jaime lay looing smaller and paler than she had done before, hooked up to machines and tubes. Her eyes were closed.

Luke swallowed and sat in the chair by the bed. "Jaime, darlin...it's me...Luke."

Jaime swallowed and carefully blinked her eyes open, looking to him with a small smile.

"How ya feelin?" he asked taking her hand.

She softly squeezed his hand back, swallowing gently.

"Not too bad...weak..."

Luke nodded a little, not sure what to say.

Jaime sighed a little, one hand resting on her stomach, the other in Luke's hand.

"I...told them I ran away with you...."

Luke nodded. "What'd they say to that?"

"They asked me why..." She said softly