Work Text:
“Sarah, Charlie’s in the hospital.”
Her heart stops.
Grabbing her keys, she flies out the door, drives the familiar route as if on autopilot.
Please be okay.
Arriving at the hospital, she nods to Joe and Jesse, barely processing their words in her single-minded determination to get to him.
Please. Let him be okay.
She sees him lying in the hospital bed. She knows how much he hates hospitals. Reaching him, she runs a hand down his arm, looks him over. Tries to be all business as she asks him about his symptoms.
They need to work. Need to find Rex. She knows he won’t stop until they do.
Right now, though, it’s enough to see him. To know.
He’s okay.
***
He sees her, sees the desperate man with a knife to her throat.
His heart stops.
In slow motion, he exits the bullpen.
Don’t move, Sarah. Please, just don’t move.
There’s a silent plea in his eyes as he tries to remain calm, tries not to do anything that might escalate the situation.
Wait, Sarah. Please wait.
He doesn’t break eye contact with her until Rex is in his peripheral vision, poised and ready. In an instant, his eyes dart to where the dog waits, hoping she’ll read his signal. Her barely perceptible nod tells him she does. And then everything happens at once.
The dog takes the man by surprise. Gaining the upper hand, Sarah takes him to the ground.
Charlie sends up a silent prayer of thanks as he cuffs the man, helps her haul him to his feet.
They exchange a quick nod.
She’s okay.