"I don't see what the problem is," Eddie Janko said, trailing behind her partner as they hurried up the block.
Jamie scoffed, "Of course you wouldn't. You're like a garbage disposal."
"What's that supposed to mean, Reagan?" Eddie scowled at his back.
Jamie briefly turned his head to look at the short blonde, "It means, I've never seen you turn down food. So of course you would think Danny's Mac and cheese-from-a-can would be perfectly fine."
"Cheese is cheese," Eddie shrugged, resting her hand on her gun as they got closer to the building they were supposed to enter.
"Cheese is not cheese. That didn't even taste normal," Jamie groaned, "It was disgusting."
"I'm sure it wasn't," Eddie said, "You're just picky."
"Fine," Jamie said, pulling out his own gun, "Next time Danny cooks that nasty shit, come over and try it out."
Eddie grinned, "Why, Jamie Reagan, are you inviting me to the famed Sunday night dinners? As your date?"
Jamie's ears went bright red and he stuttered, "What? No...I was...shut up, Janko."
Eddie laughed, "I love teasing you, Jamie."
He looked back and rolled his eyes at her before pounding on the door to the brownstone, "NYPD! Open up!"
The next few seconds moved both quickly and incredibly slow.
Eddie watched in horror as the door exploded, sending Jamie careening backwards down the steps. His head thunked against the sidewalk and there was blood all over his chest.
"Oh my god!" Eddie shrieked, running forward and falling to her knees next to Jamie, "Jamie? Jamie?"
She grabbed at her walkie, "Requesting a bus at this location. Officer down! Get a bus here immediately!"
Her hands roamed around Jamie's chest, trying to find where he was hurt.
"Jamie? Jamie? Reagan? Please answer me! Please," she pleaded, tears springing to her eyes as she heard sirens.
There was just so much blood and he was so pale and oh my god he was probably dead. He had hit his head so hard.
Eddie sniffled back tears, "Hold on, Reagan. They're coming. You're gonna be fine."
The EMTs rushed up, pushing her out of the way to get to Jamie.
Eddie stood back, hands slick with Jamie's blood, and watched as they loaded him onto a stretcher.
Just before the door to the ambulance closed, Eddie startled and jumped forward.
"Wait, I'm his partner. I want to come," she called, climbing up into the ambulance.
The EMT closest to her nodded, "Please just stay out of the way."
Eddie nodded and wedged herself against the far corner of the ambulance, nervously chewing at her lip.
There was a lot of shouting and beeping and medical jargon being tossed around. Eddie was having trouble keeping up.
When they pulled into the emergency bay at Lenox Hill, Eddie made herself as small as possible so the EMTs could rush Jamie out.
She stumbled out of the empty ambulance, dazed and unfocused. Rubbing absently at the drying blood on her hands, Eddie wandered into the ER waiting room.
It was complete chaos in there. People were everywhere, crying, screaming, talking. It was too much.
Stifling a sob, Eddie spun on her heel and went right back out the door. She leaned against the side of the building, sucking in deep breaths.
"Get it together, Janko," she mumbled to herself, "Go back inside and find out what's happening to your partner."
Exhaling a breath, she kicked away from the wall, straightened her back and walked into the ER waiting room.
She bit on her lip and looked around for a doctor. Spotting one, she hurried through the crowd, not so gently pushing people out of the way.
"Hey!" She called, reaching her hand out to touch the doctor's forearm, "My partner was just brought in. Can you tell me anything? His name's Jamie Reagan."
The doctor turned to face Eddie, a weary look on her face, "The cop? He was rushed into surgery. I can't tell you more than that. I'm sorry, if you'll excuse me."
Her beeper going off, she ran down the hallway.
Eddie sighed. Surgery. Of course. But that meant he was alive. He would be okay.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The Reagans!
Her eyes popped open. Jamie's family. They had to know.
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts list.
She had Erin's number from... something. Eddie couldn't remember why Jamie's sister's phone number was in her contacts, but she was so glad that it was.
Erin picked up after two rings, "Reagan."
Eddie cleared her throat, her voice was raspy, "Hi, Erin? It's Eddie. Janko. Jamie's partner?"
"Oh, hi Eddie. What's going on?" Erin asked, sounding a little distracted.
"It's Jamie. There was...he got shot, or something. I'm not really sure what it was, but it was horrible and he was knocked down stairs," Eddie babbled.
"What?" Erin shouted, "Shot? Where are you? Is he...?"
"Lenox Hill ER," Eddie sniffled, "He's in surgery. But I don't know anything other than that."
"I'm coming right there," Erin said and Eddie could hear papers shuffling and a desk drawer being slammed shut, "I'll call my brother and the others. Just...try and find out more, okay?"
Eddie nodded and then remembered that Erin couldn't see her, "I will. I'm so sorry, Erin."
"It's not your fault. I'm coming now," Erin paused, "Thank you, Eddie."
Eddie opened her mouth to respond, but then realized she was listening to empty air.
Eddie slid her phone back into her pocket and looked around the waiting room again, searching desperately for someone who could give her answers.
Once she realized that no one was going to stop long enough for her to ask her questions, Eddie decided to take a seat and wait for the Reagans to appear.
"Hey, Janko," Danny Reagan's voice broke her out of her daze.
Eddie's head snapped up and before she knew it, Danny Reagan was enveloping her in a hug.
She stood awkwardly in his embrace until he let her go.
"Do you know anything?" His voice was calm, but Eddie could see the fear in his eyes.
Erin hovered just behind him, her own eyes wide with barely repressed fear.
Eddie shrugged, "I don't...I couldn't find anyone to tell me anything."
A blonde woman stepped forward and she patted Eddie's arm, "I'm Linda. Danny's wife. I'll find something out. Don't worry."
Linda squeezed Danny's hand and hurried off.
"What happened?" Erin asked, sinking into a plastic seat.
"We got a call about a domestic," Eddie started, "Jamie pounded on the door and the next thing I see is him getting thrown past me as the door explodes."
"It was a trap," Danny scowled, agitatedly running his hand through his hair.
Erin dropped her head to her hands, "I can't..."
Eddie suddenly remembered that their oldest brother had been murdered on the job. That would explain the fear and also possibly the hug Danny had given her.
"What happened?" Frank Reagan appeared next to Erin.
Eddie snapped to attention, one hand by her forehead in a salute, "Sir."
Frank sighed, "As you were, Officer Janko."
Eddie nodded and sat back down stiffly, highly aware of the situation she was in.
"It was a trap, Pop," Danny said, "Kid was blown back as the door exploded."
Frank looked weary beyond his years as he sat down heavily, "Is he going to be okay?"
"He's in surgery," Linda's voice interrupted, "It'll be a while."
Eddie awkwardly stood up, "Um, this is obviously a family matter. Now that you're here, I'll just...go."
She grabbed her hat and headed for the door.
Erin reached out to grab her wrist, "Eddie, please, you're Jamie's partner," she paused and her eyes twinkled with a secret despite the worry lines on her forehead, "We want you here too."
"I don't know," Eddie said, feeling uncomfortable.
Erin smiled at her gently, "Please, stay. Jamie would want you here."
Finally, Eddie nodded and sat back down in her seat. She still couldn't help feeling like she was intruding on a private moment. Jamie was her partner, yes, but he wasn't her family. He wasn't her son or brother. He wasn't anything to her, not really.
But, she thought, twisting her fingers together, she'd be lying if she said she wanted it to stay that way.
Jamie was her partner, and she wanted him to be more. They'd had something, she knew. He had kissed her, for Christ's sake. But he'd put distance between them, in that way, the past few months.
She chewed on the inside of her cheek. He had stayed the night a few weeks back, after her first...well, she still didn't like to think about that. But he hadn't tried anything and he'd stayed on the couch.
But just having him there was good enough for her.
"Hey, Eddie?" Linda said softly, touching her forearm.
Eddie startled, "Sorry. I'm just a little..." She waved her hand in the air, at a loss for words.
Linda smiled, "Oh, I know, honey. Do you want to come grab some coffee with me? Let these guys have a minute?"
Eddie looked up. She hadn't noticed that the commissioner, Danny, and Erin had huddled together.
She nodded and stood on shaky legs, quickly following Linda down the hallway.
"How long have you been a cop?" Linda asked as they walked.
"Little over a year," Eddie said, "I never thought I'd see this though."
"Oh, honey, no one ever thinks this will happen," Linda said, "I can't even imagine."
She shook her head, "Jamie will be fine. He comes from a very stubborn family."
Linda laughed as if they were both in on a joke.
Eddie cracked a small smile, "He is pretty damn stubborn."
"You think Jamie's bad? Spend some time with Danny," Linda rolled her eyes, "He's impossible."
Eddie paused, "Do you...is he going to...?"
Linda stopped in her tracks, "Jamie's in the best hands possible. I don't know what hit him or where, but you got him here fast and that's going to make all the difference."
Eddie nodded.
"Do you mind if I hug you?" Linda asked, tilting her head, "It's just, you look like you could use one."
Eddie nodded; she really could've used a hug.
When Linda's arms wrapped around her back, Eddie couldn't help it. The dam burst and tears started running down her face.
Linda squeezed her tighter and rubbed circles on her back.
"Shh, let it out," she whispered, "It's okay. It's okay. You've been through a lot."
Eddie pulled away a few seconds later, sniffling and wiping at her eyes, "Sorry, I don't usually-"
Linda waved her hand, "Oh, don't even worry about it. I'm a mom, I'm used to some tears. And you need to let it out."
Linda squeezed Eddie's hand, "Let's go grab that coffee now."
Eddie clung to Linda, feeling lost and comforted all at the same time.
They went another two hours without any update on Jamie. Frank had left half an hour before, to check in with Garrett and Gormley, but he had promised he would be back.
Danny was flipping through a deck of cards nonsensically.
Erin was jotting down notes on a case file she had found in her bag, but her eyes kept darting to the ER room doors, waiting for a doctor to come through.
Linda had her head leaning against the wall, her eyes shut and lips moving in a silent prayer.
Eddie's thumbs tapped against her phone, playing some stupid game to pass the time.
"Family of Jamie Reagan?" A male voice broke through to all of them.
The poor doctor was suddenly swarmed for four very anxious people.
"We're his family," Erin said, slightly breathless.
"How is he?" Eddie blurted.
The doctor smiled, "He'll be fine. Whatever exploded near him sent bits of wood and metal into his torso, there was also some buckshot. The hit to the back of his head wasn't so bad. No internal bleeding, just a strong concussion. He's being stitched up and moved to recovery now."
The four adults visibly sagged in relief.
"Oh, thank God," Linda breathed, reaching out to grab Danny's hand.
"When can we see him, Doc?" Danny asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"A nurse will come and get you," the doctor said gently, "Typically it's only two people in ICU at a time, but I'm this case, we'll make an exception."
Danny nodded, "Thank you," and despite his best efforts, his voice cracked a little.
The doctor clapped him on the shoulder, "My pleasure. Thank you for your service."
He nodded at Eddie too. She smiled weakly back.
"Oh god," she mumbled, her legs feeling weak.
"He's okay," Erin sighed, "He's okay."
They all sort of stood around in a huddle, waiting for the nurse to come and get them.
About twenty minutes later, they were ushered down the hallway to Jamie's private room.
Linda and Eddie hung back a little, giving Danny and Erin some much needed time to make sure their younger brother was okay.
Jamie was still knocked out, and he would be for another half an hour at least, according to the nurse. So, Erin and Danny each pulled up a chair and sat on either side of the bed.
"Jesus, kid," Danny said, "You scared the shit outta us. Don't do that again, okay?"
Erin simply reached out to squeeze Jamie's hand, "Get better soon, little brother."
After a while of sitting with him, Erin got up to call Frank and let him know what Jamie's situation was like. Linda took Erin's seat, and Eddie cautiously stepping into the room to stand against the wall.
Her partner looked, frankly, like shit. His head was wrapped up in gauze, and there were little cuts all over his pale face. The hospital gown covered his chest, but Eddie could see it was bulky with bandages. He looked like death warmed over.
Danny's phone went off, interrupting the quiet of the room. He fished it out of his pocket and looked at the screen.
"Shit," he said, standing up, "I gotta go. According to Baez, we caught a lead on the Johansson case."
He kissed the top of Linda's head, "Let me know if anything changes."
She nodded, "Be safe."
Danny winked at her, "Always am."
He squeezed Eddie's arm on his way out, "Thank you again, Eddie."
She smiled weakly, "I didn't do anything."
"You were there. That's all that matters," Danny said, running off down the hallway.
Linda looked up at Eddie, "Sit down. You're making me nervous; like you're going to bolt."
Eddie smiled sheepishly and sat in Danny's vacated seat, "I've been thinking about it."
Linda laughed, "You'd better get used to these crazies."
Eddie's eyes widened, "What?"
"Eddie," Linda said softly, "We're not blind. And Jamie's got a set of loose lips on him, if you get enough alcohol in the boy. Something's going on here. You don't have to say anything, but just know, that if the time does come, the Reagans will welcome you with open arms."
Eddie was dumbfounded. She sat and gaped at Linda. The older woman laughed, not unkindly, "I'm sorry for butting into your business. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've got a mother's intuition."
She used her free hand to touch the back of Eddie's, "I'm going to head out and give Henry an update. Sit with him, talk a little, maybe it'll wake him up faster."
Linda left the young officer frozen in her seat. Eddie's mind was spinning with everything that had happened.
But she was fixated on what Linda had said. Jamie and his loose lips. What had he told them? Had he mentioned their kiss? Did he have feelings for her?
She groaned, Damnit Jamie Reagan.
Eddie rested her fingers against the back of Jamie's hand, careful to avoid the IV drip.
"Hey Partner," she said, "You really, really scared me. Oh my god, I thought you were dead. Please, please don't ever do this to me again."
She sniffled, but there were no tears to come, "I've spent more time with your family today than I have with my own family in the past like three years. They really love you and they kind of scare me a little bit. When you wake up, I'm going to kill you for leaving me with them. And then I'm going to make you explain what Linda means about your loose lips."
Eddie babbled on for a few more minutes, only stopping when Jamie groaned.
"Oh my god," she exclaimed, watching him intently as he opened his eyes.
"What happened?" he rasped, blinking against the harsh fluorescent hospital lights.
"You don't remember?" Eddie asked, now concerned about his memory.
"Did I get shot?" he asked hoarsely.
"Kind of," Eddie laughed from the sheer joy at seeing Jamie wake up, "A door exploded and there was some king of buckshot behind it. Then you flew back off the steps and hit your head and you were bleeding and Jesus, Jamie, I thought you were dead."
Jamie managed a weak grin, "You won't get rid of me that easy, Janko."
She laughed, "Good, because I like having you around."
He coughed, "Does my family know?"
"Yeah," Eddie said, getting up to grab a cup of ice chips, "They're here. Or at least some of them are. Maybe? Danny just left a few minutes ago. Linda either left or is in the hallway on the phone and Erin was on the phone with your dad. But they were all here from the beginning."
Jamie nodded, eyes closing again, "Have you been here the whole time?"
"Yeah," Eddie said quietly, "Your family's really great. They were really nice to me."
"Course they were, stupid," Jamie said, the corner of his lips turning up in a smile, "You're my partner."
"Wow," Eddie deadpanned, "Half an hour out of a three hour surgery and already he's insulting the one who called the bus for him. Classy, Reagan."
"Would an invite to Sunday night dinner make it up to you?" Jamie asked, opening his eyes.
Eddie nodded, her eyes bright with tears and her hand tucked into Jamie's, "Yeah, it just might."
He tightened his fingers around hers, "Good, because I want you there."
She glanced down at their intertwined fingers and said, "There had to be a better way of asking me out than getting hit in the chest with buckshot."
A/N: Hey guys! I have more Jamko goodness for y'all. I was really excited to write this one, so I hope you like it. The storyline of the door exploding on Jamie came from an episode of Chicago PD this season.
I purposely left it a little open-ending, so please don't ask me to continue this one. If I come up with another idea that's in line with the timeline this story set up, then I'll post it, but for now, I don't plan on continuing this one.
I have a couple more Jamko prompts that I'll be working on over the next couple of days, but school and life are getting a little busier for me, so I may not be able to post as much as I have been lately.
Come and drop by my inbox and we can chat about Jamko! :)
