This story started out as The Nurse - but then as I went on writing I decided it needed a more serious title - despite the fact it's a bit silly in places! Influenced by Adele's song I thought the lyrics really suited the tone of the story and I highly recommend the song if you haven't heard it, I'm hearing it from Robbie's point of view. Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think, its really encouraging to know people are reading x R

You've been on my mind,
I grow fonder every day,
Lose myself in time,
Just thinking of your face,
God only knows why it's taken me so long to let my doubts go,
You're the only one that I want.

I don't know why I'm scared,
I've been here before,
Every feeling, every word,
I've imagined it all,
You'll never know if you never try,
To forgive your past and simply be mine.

I dare you to let me be your one and only,
Promise I'm worth it,
To hold in your arms,
So come on and give me a chance,
To prove I am the one who can walk that mile,
Until the end starts,

I know it ain't easy giving up your heart,
Nobody's perfect,
Trust me I've learned it...

The One – chapter 1

It happened so quickly he barely had time to work it through his mind and kick-start his body into action.

One minute they'd been standing on the balcony, talking to this young kid, not even a suspect just there for enquiries. She'd driven; he'd teased her about wearing a skirt for the first time in forever. It was one of those old metal frame buildings, he'd flashed his badge at the door and Jackie had been leaning against the railing above the stairs watching and waiting. There was no urgency, a routine thing; she'd only been half listening as Robbie asked to speak to this Mr. Johnson.

Next minute the kid answering the door pushes past Robbie, darts past Jackie, shoving her in the chest. Racing down half the stairs, jumps over the railings and away. He was still staring after the little bastard before he realised she wasn't at the top of the stairs anymore.

He watched in slow-motion as she slid down the metal staircase, battering her head as she landed.

Immediately he was skidding down the steps behind her, keenly aware of the blood already pooling beneath her head.

"Jackie, shit no..." he seemed all fingers and thumbs as he made a grab for his mobile, pushing redial and getting the station, quickly requesting help, his language none-too-polite as she blinked up at him.

He pocketed the phone, reaching for her, careful not to move her. He knew enough that you didn't move them, despite the fact she was twisted and he was pretty sure she'd broken her left leg from the angle she was in.

"Jackie, stay awake okay," he touched her face, noted how she was quickly losing focus, eyes fluttering shut. "Jacks, come on, open your eyes, keep staring at my face. You know you love my face." He smiled, his weak attempt to lighten the mood.

It happened so quickly. There was no time to react and stop her falling. He must have told himself that a thousand times over in the hours that followed. It didn't stop him feeling any less guilty.

Tapping his pen repeatedly on the desk he stared directly ahead, aware enough to note the silence of the usually bustling office. There was a sense of gloom hanging over them, one of their best, if not the best, was hospitalised and in danger. And more than that, the life of the office seemed to have gone.

"Robbie, you signed that statement yet?" Burke barked, moving to start the briefing.

"Yeah sir."

Burke slapped his shoulder as he passed him, "Don't worry, we'll get the wee bastard."

"I'll string him up by his balls." Robbie quickly added.

"Aye, I'm sure we all want revenge but dreaming up fancy scenarios won't help Jackie now. We need details, I want CCTV from the area, get a shot of this scumbag."

"Sir," a young PC nervously interrupted. "It's the hospital, she's waking."

Robbie was already out of his seat and reaching for his jacket, "Alright, Robbie get down there, but I need you on this."

"Yeah, will be." He called back over his shoulder, it didn't matter whether he'd been given permission or not, he was gone.

He vaguely remembered feeling this sense of apprehension when he'd waited in the corridor during Jamie's delivery.

"She's not up for conversation so don't linger," a rather harsh looking nurse had told him. She seemed the embodiment of 'matron' to him.

"Right," he mumbled, following. "To be honest I just wanna see her."

"Well, can't make promises but the fact she's awake is a good sign. We obviously need to keep an eye on the swelling, nasty bang." She slowed as they reached the private room. "Quite badly bruised as you'd expect. Broken leg, possible broken arm, banged up her back pretty badly."

He rubbed his forehead, "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, steeling himself for going in.

Once again he thought out-loud, "I'll kill the little bastard!" as he entered the room. He wasn't used to seeing her looking weak and fragile, but that was exactly how she appeared now. Her head was bandaged, stitches adorned her face and he cursed again, that pure, pale skin scarred.

Standing beside the bed he rested his hand very gently atop of her fingers, there was some kind of tube coming out of the back of her hand, pretty much the only part of her not cut up and bruised.

"Hey," he whispered, attempting a smile as she slightly opened her eyes.

She blinked at him; he took that as a hello.

"Bets going on, how long it'll be before you're back dolling out orders whilst hobbling round on one-leg."

She tried to smile but winced instead, her dry lips parting slightly to reply.

"Don't speak," he squeezed her fingers, "sorry, shouldn't make you laugh."

He sat down beside her, "I'm sorry Jacks, should have seen it coming."

She frowned, moving her head very slightly to the left then right, her fingers flexing beneath his.

"You'll be alright," he said, standing again, leaning over and kissing her forehead. "We'll make sure, and I'll be right here."

Her eyes were closed again as she drifted back to sleep, the drugs doing their work.

It took only a few days to track down and charge the said individual, rather longer to stop Robbie heading into the cells and kicking the life out of him, and considerably longer again for Jackie's wounds to heal.

Two weeks later and she was still in hospital, though sitting up now and practically back to her usual chatty self.

There'd been a steady stream of visitors to her bedside, her oldest brother had even driven over a couple of times bringing their mother with him, though she didn't really want her to see her in such a state.

The nurses though had a pool going over how many times the cheeky DI would 'pop in'. He was becoming quite the bedside attendant, going in to see her almost daily.

"You can't play that," he said as she dropped the Queen of Spades.

"I can."

"Not in these rules."

"These are the rules I played by as a kid."

"God, we're safer with dominoes." He teased, gathering up the cards to shuffle again and handing over a couple of grapes to her.

She promptly popped them into her mouth. "Thank you," she smiled as she chewed.

"Glad it's fruit and not fivers. You're bleeding me dry."

"All part of the fun," she moaned a little as a sharp pain hit her back.

"Sit back, don't stretch, I'll move the table closer."

She would usually complain about being fussed over but she still felt so damned sore and tired that she really didn't mind.

"Got an itch," she complained, leaning her head back as he dealt.

"Somewhere I'm allowed to scratch?" He quipped, turning over the cards in his hand.

She smiled, glancing across at him. "Behind my knee."

"Okay," he laid his cards down and got up, moving to her right leg.

"No, my left, right up the bloody pot."

"Ahh, well, I tried."

"Very trying."

"I'm doing you a favour here," he protested.

"I know, I know."

"Can I write something indecent on your pot?"

"Not unless you wanna keep those pretty-boy looks."

"One more game then you'll have to go DI Ross," the nurse said as she brought in Jackie's meds. "Shouldn't be gambling anyhow."

"And it's for grapes, such a precious commodity." He winked at her, settling back in his chair as the charm was easily turned on.

Jackie rolled her eyes as she surveyed the moment, he never changed. Pretty young nurse and he was practically salivating. She swallowed her pills and handed the small paper cup back.

"She's too young for you Robbie." She said as the door closed, leaving them alone once again.

"I'm not that old." He grumbled.

"Could be her dad."

"Hey, I've only got a few years on you."

"Yeah, but I'm not trying to date her."

"Didn't say I wanted 'dating'..." he smiled, laying his cards down.

"Oh right, just a night, I forget you don't use the word 'commitment'."

"I could do, if the right woman came along."

"Can't keep playing the field hey..." she yawned, leaning back again.

He watched her carefully, her eyelids were already drooping, he got up and moved her pillow slightly. "No, not forever."

Sliding the cards from her hand he gathered them up.

"I'm okay," she mumbled.

"You're falling asleep, we'll play tomorrow, though I reckon that hand was mine." He chomped a grape, helping her ease down and pulling the bed sheets over her arms. "What fruit would you like tomorrow?"

"Chocolate," she smiled, eyes closed.

"Right, matron ull love me for that."

"Hmm..."

"Night." He flicked off the bedside light.

"Goodnight, thanks for the cards."

"You're welcome," he brushed her hair back, watching as her breathing deepened and evened out.

1 week later

He watched her from the door; head leant to one side as she stared docile at the television. He could hear the drone of a newsreader bringing yet more bad news. For a moment he waited, just watching, happy to see she was on the mend, yesterday she hadn't been able to sit for long for the pain in her back.

Finally he gently tapped the door, her broad smile greeted him.

"Hi," she said, genuinely happy. "Thank god you're here, I was going stir crazy, can't stand being here on my own all day."

He laughed, "A bored Jackie, not a thing I've encountered that often." He leant forward and kissed her cheek. "Hi."

"Hi, are those for me?" She asked, indicating the bunch of flowers in his hand.

"For my date later actually."

"Ha, bloody ha." She swiped at him whilst leaning forward slightly to smell the flowers. "Thank you."

"You're welcome; I'll stick them in here shall I with the others?"

"Sure, you gonna bring flowers every day you visit?"

"I might." He sat down beside her. "Sorry it's so late, didn't think they'd let me in."

"With your charms?"

He shrugged, reaching forward to touch her grazed cheek, "Already healing."

"Not ruined my looks?"

"Definitely not." His hand slid down her arm to where her hand laid on the bed, for a moment the room was silent, so many things left unsaid yet communicated in his look.

"So, you er, gonna stay for a while? I need the company, starved of knowledge! What's the latest case? Office gossip?"

"Just try and relax. Get better."

"I'm just lying here day after day, my brain's wasting away."

"As if."

"Actually, I am starving," she leant into him as if conspiring; "Do you think you could sneak a pizza in?"

He laughed, "Where?"

"I don't know, under your jacket, come on, you're usually good at stuff like this."

"And how guilty will we look when they come in and I'm stuffing a pizza box under the mattress."

"Hopefully I'll be getting out of here soon so it won't matter."

"Don't rush it."

"Aww, bless your concern." She squeezed his hand. "There's a film starting, stay and watch it with me?"

He shrugged, "Don't have any plans."

"How treasured I feel."

"You should, this is probably some chick-thing." He settled back in his chair.

"Oh, I need the loo; best go before the film gets going. Can you help me?"

The look on his face was priceless, open-mouthed and wide-eyed.

She laughed mercilessly, "I meant to get out of bed, not in the bathroom!"

She cackled and giggled in that childish way she had, and he sat watching her, shaking his head.

"Well, someone sounds happier. Cheering you up is he?" The young nurse moved to Jackie's bedside to check her over.

"Thought I wanted him holding my fragile old body over the loo."

"Goodness, trying out for a new job DI Ross?"

"Alright, alright, honest mistake."

"How's the arm?" She asked, indicating Jackie's newly free arm.

"Better. Think I'll be able to hold a cup of tea soon."

"Good, let's see."

She gently lifted it up, bending at the elbow, "See, much better."

"Yep, I'll see what I can do about that tea."

"Thank you."

She turned her attention back to Robbie as the nurse left, holding her hand out to him. "So, help me out of bed now."

"Sure," he sat forward; holding both hands as she slowly turned and gingerly dropped her feet to the floor, a sharp intake of breath reminding both of them of her injuries.

"Don't rush," he quickly said.

"I'm not." She paused, feet placed on the floor, his hands still holding her. "Bit dizzy."

"Give it a moment."

She closed her eyes for a second, "God, I hope this passes quickly. Hate being an invalid."

"Yeah."

She slowly opened her eyes and they seemed to shine to him, bright and alive, those chocolate orbs drawing him in.

He leant in, brushing her hair back with one hand, and very tenderly kissing her lips.

It was a sweet, intimate moment, full of comfort and care.

"You'll be back to full kick-ass Reid mode soon." He said.

"Hope so," she said, perhaps a little breathless. "Help me up then."

He did as she asked, guiding her around the bed to the door of the toilet.

"And don't listen at the door," she snapped as she went in, gripping the handrail.

"Yes boss." He sat on the edge of the bed, watching the start of the movie. "You alright in there, you're missing the opening bit, never be able to follow the story."

She clattered the door, leaning heavily against it as she swung it open.

"I'm done, what have I missed?"

He took her arm, helping her back into bed. "Some chick in a red cloak and her daughter walking to some windy village."

"Intense."

"Ahh now I know why you've chosen it, chocolate."

"Shame you brought flowers tonight."

"I try to rotate the gifts."

She laughed, "You don't have to bring me anything, my little cupboard there is getting blocked up. You've brought me more gifts over these past few weeks than in all the years you've known me."

"A considerable time as well."

"True, at least you know me fairly well."

"And you know me too well." He settled back in his chair as soon as he was sure she was comfy. "Hope there's no sexual moments in this film, can't be sitting here watching that kind of thing with you."

She laughed, loudly, "Sexual moments. Robbie Ross the prude, now that's a new one."

The next day

"Now you'll like this," he promised, placing a bag on the bottom of the bed. "Keep complaining about your mind slipping away."

"Robbie, I told you not to keep bringing gifts."

"Peace of mind," he offered, "here." He handed across a thick, and heavy, book. "Unsolved crimes, work your way through it, solve any we could hit the jackpot and retire."

"So if I solve them we both get rich? Handy that."

"Yeah well, I can be your sounding board."

"You often are," she mumbled, opening the first few pages. "Thanks Robbie," she smiled, noting he'd even left a message inside the jacket for her. "Thoughtful."

"Can't have you keep watching films about chocolate, all temptation you know."

"Mmm..." she was already reading.

"Don't read it now, you have company."

"Sorry." She snapped it shut. "Look, I have news. They say I can go home, probably have to hire somebody though."

"What for?"

"Need home help, until I'm fully recovered. Still dizzy at times, my leg's not healed yet and my back still twinges so I shouldn't be looking after myself."

"I'll do it," he offered promptly.

"You?" She laughed.

"Yeah, I can make you cup of tea and stuff. No need to waste money on some stranger."

"How exactly?"

"You can come stay with me, always said I should repay the favour from when my flat was flooded."

The memories of the time he'd lived with her for a week rushed back in a moment of sweetness, she'd loved having his company, had missed him when he'd gone, though neither of them had ever really talked about it.

"I've got a spare bedroom," he said. "Might be nice, having a flatmate."

She raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure about this? I'm gonna be lying around a lot feeling sorry for myself and watching daytime TV."

"Sounds like my weekends." He quipped as he stole some of the biscuit from her plate. "We'll be alright, can still play cards then, though for money not fruit!"

"Remember I'm not at my sharpest, don't go fleecing me."

"Wouldn't dream of it. God, these biscuits are shite. I'll get ya some decent ones in."

She smiled, "And plenty of tea."

"Of course."

"You're absolutely positive Robbie, because I don't want to be a burden, I can call my mother if need be."

"Wouldn't that drive you to an early grave?"

She laughed, "Quite possibly yes."

"Then it's fine, I wouldn't want you suffering anymore." He touched her hand. "Really Jacks, I want to, still feel bad that it was you got pushed down the stairs and not me."

"Yeah, I do too."

"And there's that wit the office is sadly lacking."