When he woke up the first thing he saw was her head lying in his lap. He had her chocolate colored hair tangled in his fingers and he couldn't help but let out a sigh. He felt….rested….not totally because that would probably take months but for the first time in years he had slept deep and safe and it was all thanks to the woman breathing softly against his hip.
He let his eyes drift closed again for a moment, when he opened them she was staring back at him.
"Hi," he whispered his voice raspy from sleep.
"Hi," she said back, "How did you sleep?"
"Good. You?"
"Good."
They smiled at each other for a moment before they heard someone clearing their throat. Both of them turned to see Audrey holding the door opened with her hip, glaring at them, "Well, isn't Chloe shot up, "I, uh….I must have fallen asleep. I didn't mean to…."
"I'm sure."
"Sorry. I just came by to see how Jack was….and I…"
"Well you've seen…and now you can leave."
"Audrey," Jack said, his voice tense and just a tiny bit below yelling.
Audrey paused and her face dropped, "I'm sorry, I…I'm just still so…tired and stressed from everything. I didn't mean to snap at you Chloe."
Chloe gave a small, shaky smile, "That's okay." She turned to Jack, "I'll uh, and I'll talk to you later."
Jack grabbed her hand, "Thank you."
Chloe nodded and walked toward the door, careful to avoid Audrey as she left.
"What was that about?" Audrey said the moment she was gone, "What was she doing here?"
"I had a hard time sleeping and she was keeping me company. We fell asleep and frankly Audrey she's had a horrible couple of days herself, you could've been a little more understanding."
"Under…." Audrey paused suddenly and said nothing for a few moments, "you're right, I'm sorry. I'll….I'll call her later and apologize, okay?"
Jack smiled, "Thank you, I'm sorry I yelled."
Audrey came closer and gave him a soft kiss, "You're still adjusting, and you'll be fine soon, especially once we get you out of here. I'm going to go get the doctor and find out when I can take you home."
Jack nodded and smiled, but inwardly cringed at the word home.
&&&&&&
The doctor told him he needed to stay for at least another 24 hours for observation. He was equal parts upset and relieved at the news.
But when Audrey left and he was alone again in the yellow lights of the hospital he found himself awake, staring at the ceiling and trying to get his eyes to close.
Glancing over at the phone for what must have been the tenth time he made his decision.
"Hi Jack," Chloe said as she picked up. The phone had only rung once and he hadn't said a word.
"You were that sure I would call?" he asked, knowing the answer.
He could hear her shrug, "I heard from Bill that they were keeping you another day so…."
"So," he finished and took a deep breath, "What are you doing?"
"Updating the security on my computer and, uh….looking for somewhere to live."
"I guess that means things didn't go well with Morris."
"He was sober, so that was good, but I decided it would be best if I moved out. He wanted me to keep the place, but I don't really want that. He went to stay with a friend for a few days until I found somewhere."
"Morris has friends."
"Well by friends I meant a blonde with huge tits, not like you and I friends."
"Chloe…" he started, not sure what to say.
"It's okay. I'm…."
"Big tits are overrated."
"What?" she let out a little chuckle.
"Overrated. I mean sure they look good, but hard to work with."
"You are so full of it," Chloe was laughing hysterically at this point and Jack couldn't stop himself from joining in.
"I am not," he promised, "Completely the truth."
As they both calmed down from their laughing fits there was a moment of silence, "So," Chloe finally said, "Did you want me to come up there so you could sleep."
"No, of course not, it's late and you must be exhausted."
"Jack I'm an insomniac, last night was too much sleep. Besides, I don't mind if you…"
"Maybe we could just….talk for a while. I'm not really tired anymore."
He thought he could hear the smile in her voice, "Sure. Since we're on the discussion of big and overrated…."
