False Accusations || Don

Don smiled and patted Brad on the back. "Ok we can do that. Let me just finish up with Detective Bonasera and we'll get going ok?" he asked. Don had a soft spot for kids, teens even, that's just the type of guy he was. It brought his relationship with Brad even closer since the teen was set up for murder.

Brad nodded and smiled a bit. "Ok!"

Don smiled back and locked the car. "Alright, well, we got nothing here, so I guess all we can go on is the evidence. U got your kit with u?" he asked Stella.

Stella nodded. "Yup, in the back of the truck,"she replied.

Don nodded. "U still need me, Stell? I'm gonna take Brad to see Mac." he said.

Stella shook her head. "No, I'll be alright."

Don nodded and patted Stella on the back. "Be careful, Stella. We'll keep u posted on Mac." he said.

Stella nodded. "I will and thanks,"she said, offering him a smile.

Don got into his car and drove Brad to the hospital to see Mac. "Stella says Mac would love it if I brought u by the hospital. And I'm sure you'll be glad to see how much progress he's made. Hoping that's the case, at least." he said, offering Brad a smile.

Brad nodded and smiled just a bit in response. "He'll be ok,"he said with a nod of confidence.

Don nodded and smiled at Brad as he drove to the hospital. "See? Told u the hospital wasn't that far from Mac's apartment. U anxious to see him?" he asked.

Brad nodded. "Very much so. I owe him a lot and believe you me, I'm scared for him. I've seen what those people in the gang can do. And it ain't pretty."

Don nodded and helped Brad out of the car. "Well we really appreciate your cooperation, I know it wasn't easy being interrogated, but u really helped us out, finding this gang, and u can help us find who hurt Mac." he said as they both walked up to the front desk. "Hey how's it going, my name is Detective Don Flack and this is Brad, we're looking for Detective Mac Taylor. He was brought in earlier." he said.

The receptionist looked up and nodded. "Floor 17, Room 618,"she said after a glance to her computer screen. "After you get off the elevator, you'll want to go down to the end of the first hall, take a right and the room should be..."she paused as she looked up a bit, chewing at her lip as she mentally went over where 618 would be, "The third room on your left."

Don nodded. "Thanks for all your help." he said. "Come on Brad, I'm anxious to see him myself." he said.

The receptionist nodded and turned back to her computer. Brad then nodded and smiled a bit as he looked to Don. "Yeah, let's go,"he agreed, looking to Don to take the lead since it just seemed like a smart idea to wait for the Homicide Detective before going anywhere.

Don found Mac's room and knocked on the door before he entered. "Hey Mac, I brought along a familiar face. Brad, come on in, don't be scared." he said, offering the teen a smile.

Mac looked up and smiled a bit when he saw Don and Brad smiled a bit as he joined Don. "Hey, Detective Taylor!"Brad said with a smile. Mac smiled and sat up a bit more with just a bit of wince. "Hey! I see Din got you here with the car in one piece!"he said with a smirk, shooting a glance at Don to show he was joking. Brad grinned and laughed and Mac scooted over to give the teen enough room to sit on the edge of the bed with him. "You ok, Mac?"Brad asked, looking at the senior detective in concern. It was the first time Mac noted Brad actually used his first name instead of "Detective Taylor." Mac shrugged. "I'm alright. Sore and still a bit in pain, but I'll be ok."

Don nodded and smiled, watching the bond between Mac and Brad. "Have they told u anything yet, Mac, regarding your condition or your release?" he asked.

Mac sighed and shrugged. "Not exactly. I just got off the anesthetic not too long ago,"he replied.

Brad looked at Mac, not sure of what to say to him. "I'm sorry this happened to u, Mac. I tried to stop them from hurting u. I guess I wasn't successful." he said.

"No...no, there's nothing for you to be sorry for, Brad,"Mac said, shaking his head and putting a hand on Brad's shoulder. "You are not responsible for this, is that clear?"

Brad nodded. "Thanks, Mac. I just wanna help u guys catch the gang." he said, looking at Don and then at Mac.

Mac smiled softly. "You've done more than you know for me and my team. It's my turn to say thank you and sorry,"he said, all serious as he looked at the teen. "You've already helped us put away several members of the gang and yeah, there's a lot more we need to catch, including the ones responsible for this,"he said, taking a quick, brief moment to pause and indicate the hospital room around them, "And yeah, I probably could've been a bit more careful and this might've not been so bad, but I already know both of you are going to say I shouldn't say sorry for that,"he said, now looking at both Don and Brad.

Brad nodded. "Mac u have nothing to say sorry for. U guys took me in as a precaution. U were just doing your job, no harm in that. I'm not upset that I was taken in. Had u not done that, u never would've caught the guys that came to your place." he said.