The next morning, Gael and Irene arrived at the hospital and Braxton went to the Maynards' for a break. This was becoming their routine. Braxton stayed with Marissa overnight, then took a break for a few hours while her parents sat with her. One of them would go to the cafeteria and bring lunch back to the room, where they would eat while Marissa had as much as she could handle of what was on her tray. They were happy to see that she was finally eating some solid food. Later in the afternoon, when Braxton was there, they would go have their supper, then he would go have his. They all sat with her until Gael and Irene left for the night around 10 or 11pm.

This particular morning, Marissa had gone back to sleep and Irene was knitting a sweater. She had found a craft store and picked up some needles and yarn on of their breaks from the hospital. She didn't get enough time to knit at home, but she had plenty of it now. It kept her busy while Marissa slept.

Gael was surfing the web on his daughter's notebook in tablet mode. He was reading the news and came upon an article: “Explosions Rock Compound in Upper NY State” the headline read. Below it, it said “Compound thought by FBI to belong to a drug cartel”. He read the article. Fires caused by the explosions had burned all night but most were now extinguished. None of the buildings were intact. Most had been reduced to a pile of rubble, a few had a wall or two still standing. So far, no survivors had been found, but first responders were far from finishing their search.

The article stated that the compound was the focus of an investigation into a drug cartel by the FBI. An informant told the paper that most of the Cartel's members except for the mules and escorts were there for meetings. Quite a few mules and escorts had run away and the bosses were trying to figure out a way to put a stop to it.

Gael finished the article and handed the notebook to Irene. She read the article. Looking at him, she said “That has to be the compound Marissa was at.”

“It sounds like it. Reenie, her troubles may be over if there were no survivors.” He wouldn't admit it to anyone but himself, but he was glad.

“Gael, those were human beings who perished. We cannot be happy about that, no matter how much it may benefit us.” Irene knew her husband well enough to know what he was thinking, even if he didn't voice it.

“We are probably never going to agree on this, but I still love you, Reenie.”

“And I still love you, Gael.” She leaned `toward his chair for a kiss.

Later in the morning, Rex Avery called Gael. Marissa was still sleeping. Gael took his phone to the family room so that he would not disturb her.

“Gael, have you heard about the explosion in New York?” Rex asked.

“Yes, I read about it online this morning. Is that the compound where my daughter was?”

“We believe so. Gael, I know you didn't do this, but I have to ask - did any members of your family know about the compound?” Rex hated asking these questions. It was usually upsetting to people who had already gone through enough with their loved ones.

“You mean Rissa's brothers and sisters? Yes, most of them know. The youngest ones don't.”

“I'm going to have to verify their whereabouts last night. It's just routine, I'm sure none were involved.”

“I can guarantee you they weren't. Irene and I raised them better. But I understand your position. Go ahead and talk to them, you have my permission to call the house. If they are at home now, chances are they could not have done it - it took us 14 hours to get here.” Gael would have bet his farm on the fact that none of his children were capable of killing anyone let alone multiple people, unless it was in direct defence of life. “What does this mean for Marissa? Is she safe now? The article I read said that everyone except mules and escorts was there, according to an informant.”

“We are looking into that, Gael. We need information on their informant - ideally, we need to find out who the person is so we can talk to him or her. Trouble is, reporters are quite tight lipped on who their informants are, like we are about ours.

“I do think that Marissa is probably safe at least for the time being. If anyone with any type of seniority in that cartel is still alive, their priority is not going to be your daughter. They wouldn't even suspect her of causing the explosion - they would know that she's in no shape to be doing that. They will be concentrating on rebuilding and also finding the person responsible. I have to go, but I'll call Marissa on Skype when I get a moment this afternoon.”

When Marissa woke up, Gael and Irene told her what had happened at the compound. Gael showed her the news article so she could read it. “What does this … mean?” she asked. Her speech was a little better than the previous day. Two days in a row of improvement - her parents were hopeful the trend would continue.

“We don't know for sure”, Gael told her, “but it's possible your troubles with the Cartel are over - if all of the higher level employees and founders are dead. Any of the lower level people, the mules and escorts, wouldn't know about you.”

“So, I wouldn't have … to tes-testify or go... into witness protection?” Marissa couldn't believe her good fortune, though it came at a cost of human life, some of which might have been people in the same position she was - forced to be there.

“It looks like that is a good possibility, honey”, Irene replied.

“Thank God. I don't … want to leave … you all again.” Suddenly, a huge burden was lifted from her shoulders. She'd been dreading the day she would have to leave her loved ones behind a final time and never see or hear from them again.

“What is important is your safety, Rissa”, Gael said. “If going into Witness Protection is recommended by the FBI, then that is what you should do.”

“I think she has to testify to get into the protection program, honey”, Irene told him. “If they are all dead or can't be found, there will be no trials. Let's wait and see what Rex Avery says.”

Braxton returned to the hospital at what had begun to be his usual time of around 2:00pm. Gael updated him on Rex's call. I heard about that explosion on the radio on my way to Gideon's”, he said. “I wonder who blew the compound up?”

“I am thinking the 'informant' who gave the reporter the information on who was there at the time. Probably someone who'd been in there and maybe mistreated.”

“That would make sense”, Braxton agreed. “I could get into what the person's mental status could be like, but that would just bore you all. What is important is what it may mean for Marissa.” He was thinking the same thing Marissa and her parents were thinking - that his friend's troubles with the Cartel might be over.

“I might not have ...to go ...into witness protec-protection.”

“Is that what the plan is?” he asked. This was the first he was hearing about it.

“It's been mentioned”, Gael said. “She has been resistant to the idea, though, so I think Rex dropped it.”

“Marissa, if you need to go, then go”, Braxton said. The thought of being without her again was making him feel like the world had dropped out from under his feet, but Marissa's well being came first.

Marissa was shaking her head. “No. Not without my … family. End of … story.”

Braxton decided to let it be for now. “Okay, Marissa. I don't want you getting upset. Right now, you need to concentrate on getting better.” He motioned to Gael to go out into the hallway. “I'm going to talk to your Dad for a few minutes, I'll be right back, sweetie.”

In the hall, Gael suggested they go to the family room so they wouldn't be in the way of medical personnel. Once there, he asked “Is this about the witness protection program?”

“Yes. It would kill me to lose her again, but if it would keep her safe, she has to go.”

Gael sighed. “We feel the same way, Braxton, but Marissa has been firm. She won't go without us and her siblings. They said we could go, too, as we were threatened, but that farm has been passed down a few generations in my family. I'm not leaving it.”

“What's more important - your farm or your daughter's life?”

“It's not feasible for us all to go. Some of my children have families of their own. At any rate, it's likely a moot point as without any trials, Rissa wouldn't qualify for the program anyway. It sounds like anyone who knew about her and about the Cartel's vendetta against her probably perished in that inferno. And if I'm being honest, I have to say I'm glad it happened - the explosion, that is. If it means my daughter is safe from those criminals.” As an afterthought, he added “Please don't let that go any further.”

“Of course not, Gael. And, if you are wondering, you are not abnormal for feeling that way. Nor are you alone.”

Gael and Irene went for coffee to take a break. Braxton sat with Marissa. “Your speech is getting better, Marissa.”

“Yes. It is very … nice. But, a ways … to go yet.”

“Don't rush it, honey. Be patient.” He smiled at her. “How do you feel?”

“Still very tired. Doctor says … my numbers are the ...same as yesterday”, she replied. “I am disappointed.”

“You have to be patient with that, too. Do you realize how close you were to death when you were taken to the hospital in Syracuse?” She looked at him. “I've been told that if that doctor had waited even a few more hours, we wouldn't be here right now.” His eyes were watering up just thinking about it. “My point being that it is going to take you a while to recover.” He reached over the rail and took her hand in his, lifting it up so he could kiss it.

Just then, Marissa's tablet buzzed. Braxton looked at it. “Rex Avery is calling on Skype. Do you want to take the call?” Marissa nodded. He tapped to accept, then propped it up in front of her water jug so she could see without having to hold the device.

“Hi, Rex”, Marissa greeted the FBI agent. “Braxton is with ...me. He can ...stay. It is okay...with me.”

“Hello, Marissa and Braxton. I don't have anything new on the compound, but I have some information on the woman that came to your room, Marissa. We've analyzed the substance that was injected into your IV. It was pentobarbital.”

“That's an anesthetic, isn't it?” Braxton asked.

“Yes. In high doses, it causes death in a short time frame. It's used in veterinary euthanasia and in the death penalty in some states.”

“I'm going to venture a guess and say it was probably injected into Marissa's IV in a high dose.”

“Your guess would be correct. Also, at autopsy, two more syringes were found on the woman's body, tucked into her sock. Each of them had a high dose of the drug. We don't know why she had three with her, perhaps a back up supply in case something went wrong.”

“She really was trying to … kill … me”, Marissa said.

“It looks like it. Your friend here saved your life”. Rex told her. “At the dose she had in those syringes, you'd have been dead within minutes. And, since it would have made you go to sleep, if a nurse came in, she'd have thought you had dozed off - until your monitors went off signalling loss of cardiac and respiratory function. That is, if she had gone unnoticed. Fortunately, she didn't. We don't have toxicology back yet on what she might have taken to kill herself, nor do we know who she was, but we are putting her image on media and social media in an attempt to find out.”

After they said goodbye to Rex, Marissa said “I owe you … so much. Thank you ...for saving my ...life.”

“I am just glad I was here and could act fast enough.”

“I need a Braxton hug.” She held out her arms and he pulled her to him. She was still too weak to sit up on her own. Braxton held her tight and kissed the top of her head. Marissa clung to him for a few minutes, then lay back down against the raised bed. He saw that she was crying and gently took her hand in his.

“What is it, sweetie?” he asked as he reached for the box of tissues.

“They wanted me … dead”, she replied. “Why? What did I … do to … deserve this?”

“You didn't do anything, sweetie.” He dried her tears with some tissue. “None of this is your fault.”

“But, why? Why ...did they pick …me?” Braxton could see the confusion in her expression.

“I don't know.” His heart was breaking for her. “I do know one thing, though.” He thought this was the perfect time to bring up the issue of her seeing a therapist.

“What?”

“That you need to talk to someone.” She shook her head no. “Yes, you do.”

“No”, she said in a firm voice. “I'm tired ...I want to sleep.”

“You are avoiding the issue”, Braxton replied. “I'm not letting you do that this time.”

Marissa sighed. “I only want to talk to …. you. Or Chris.”

“I can't be your therapist, Marissa.” He resisted the urge to remind her that she'd rejected him as a therapist last year. “You can talk to me, but I can't be your therapist. Chris is fine, if you can Skype with him, but you really should talk to someone *here*. I have suggested to Dr Hale that someone from Psychiatry come and see you. He agreed and he's just been waiting until you can talk better.” Marissa was shaking her head again. “Why not, Marissa?”

“I don't trust anyone … else.”

“Why not? Did you see someone when you left Denver? Remember I'd been trying to get you to?”

“Yes. She sold me … out.”

“How?” Braxton was a bit suspicious of this accusation, but he was willing to hear her out.

“She told the Cartel … things I told her.”

“What things?”

“That I was tired … of working for them. And ...I asked her... how ...she ...could do it - how she... could work for...them.” Marissa had grown to regret that, though she would probably still be with the Cartel if they had not tried to have the authorities catch her.

“Are you sure she was working for them?”

“Yes. My boss suggested her...to me. I could only...see... someone who was working ...for them. My boss ….told me that...what I said to her...was confi-confidential.”

“What makes you think she told them?” Braxton hated the thought that a fellow therapist would work for such people.

Marissa fidgeted a bit before answering. “The next trip I ….went on, they made me...have an x ray at … at customs on my way home. They …. said that someone...had called in a tip...that I was carrying … drugs.”

“What happened, Marissa? You didn't go to jail.”

“I don't know … they didn't see any … drugs on the x ray. Then, a few trips later … I found bags of drugs ...in my luggage at the...airport. They weren't supposed to … be in there. They tried...to get me caught because ...they were tired of me.”

“How did you find them - the drugs?”

“I saw scratches on the lock … on my suit-suitcase. So I went...to the restroom and...looked inside.”

Braxton was starting to understand why Marissa was distrustful of therapists. “Okay, honey. I understand why you don't trust strangers now. But you really need to talk to someone.”

Marissa's eyes went wide and she gasped. “I just remembered something, Braxton.”

“What, sweetie?”

“Dr Lambert put me on ...Zoloft. I haven't had it since.... since they took me from the ...farm.”

“That is a problem. Were you throwing up?” He knew that it wasn't a good idea to go off anti depressants without weaning off them.

“Yes. At the compound.”

“That is an effect of stopping suddenly. Was the Zoloft helping?”

“Yes, it was. I was so … depressed. I didn't want ...to do anything.” That was the one good thing that Dr Lambert did for me, Marissa thought. Though it didn't cancel her selling me out.

“It's really important that you start taking it again, honey. You have a lot to go through after you recover from this. You don't need to be getting depressed again. I have seen a difference in you from when we were in Denver. I'd thought it was from being kidnapped, beaten and left to die, but it may also be from not having your medication. Dr Hale could prescribe it but it would be better for a psychiatrist to. Do you know what the dose was?”

“I don't remember, but … Gideon knows. He got a copy...of the prescription faxed to him...so that he could give it to me after … I went home. I didn't take it with … me because I was afraid that...if I got caught with it at the border, I'd ...be arrested.”

“Okay, we can get the information from him. Has he been in to see you yet today?”

“No … he is in surgery all day.” Gideon had told her he might not be able to go see her, depending on what time he was finished for the day.

“So, you will talk to someone?” Braxton was hopeful she would say 'yes'.

“Yes, but not a ...woman. Sorry.”

“You don't have to be sorry. It is understandable. I'm glad you agreed to let someone come see you.”

Marissa had fallen asleep again when Gael and Irene returned. Braxton talked to them in a quiet voice by the door. He filled them in on the Skype conversation with Rex and the talk he had had with Marissa afterward. Irene gasped when he told them about the pentobarbital found in her IV line. “You truly saved her life”, she said to Gael. “How can we ever repay you?”

“No need to, Irene. I'm happy that I was here and able to pull the cannula out in time.” He was amazed that he'd been able to yank it out from under the tape that was holding it in place - but the fear of something happening to Marissa had caused his adrenaline to run and that was probably what gave him the physical strength.

Gael was fit to be tied at hearing that it was confirmed that that woman had tried to kill his daughter. “For her sake, it's a good thing she's dead”, he said, clenching his fists.

“Gael, Irene - I'm going to make a suggestion. Marissa has agreed to see someone from Psychiatry. I think both of you could also benefit from talking to someone. I know you don't have insurance down here, so I can make some calls. I know a few therapists who will take some patients on a sliding scale basis.”

“We can pay our way, Braxton” Gael said. “I have to agree, I think we should do it, at least for a while. What about you, Reenie?”

“Yes, it is a good idea.”