The next morning Jamie pulled into the precinct and turned off the engine, watching Eddie stare at the building he put his hand on her knee "Eddie," he said softly "I know you're probably doubting yourself right now, but this is the right decision."

"I know," she said without looking at him "I'm just wondering how many people are gonna be looking at me, knowing what happened, thinking how weak I am, that I shouldn't be a cop."

"No one is gonna think that, hey, look at me," he said shaking her knee. "No one is gonna be looking at you or thinking anything about you okay?"

"Come one Reagan," she scoffed "how many times has something gone wrong and some cop tells me I'm not fit to wear the uniform because I'm a woman?"

"This is not the same thing, this has nothing to do with your job or your performance…get out of my car," he said nudging her.

Eddie got out and leaned against the car as she waited for him to get his stuff "do you think Serge will desk me?"

"No, I told him back to normal as quick as possible, he did say you'd have to do to a short psych evaluation just to see if you're mentally able for the streets."

"Great," she groaned and linked her arm into his "so you're not gonna be with me today?"

"I am," he nodded "you're my partner, you're off the streets, I'm off the streets."

"Thank you," she chuckled "look, people are looking at me already."

"Probably because you're all but holding my hand," Jamie laughed "Eddie, as far as anyone is concerned we were off doing a job for detectives and we can't talk about it."

"Wait here for me?" she asked as they stopped outside the locker rooms.

"I'll be here," he said and pushed her inside.

A few minutes later she came out in her uniform "that was quick," Jamie said from beside her.

"I just threw it on before I changed my mind," she replied and linked her arm into his.

Jamie noticed she kept doing this, he didn't have a problem with her seeking comfort from him. He was actually glad that she knew she could rely on him, but the higher ups will be keeping a closer eye on her for the next few weeks "hey," he said and tugged her into an empty room.

"I'm fine Jamie, don't be worrying," she said.

"It's not that," he said stepping in front of her "I've noticed the last few days that you keep holding onto me. You have to be touching off me when we're watching tv, you want me in the same room as you when you fall asleep, you're holding my hand, you're holding my arm."

"I didn't realise I was doing that…sorry," she muttered and looked down as she blushed.

"No, it's okay," he said quickly "I don't mind, I'm happy you're so comfortable with me. It's just here you have to be careful, you have eyes on you now. People are watching you and your performance, if they see you're too dependent on me they'll split us up and keep you off the streets."

Eddie nodded and looked up at him "I'm sorry, I'll cut it out…I've just gotten used to it being just me and you."

"Like I said, I don't mind, you can hang out of me once we get home," he said earning a chuckle from her "but here you need to keep your distance and go on as we were before."

She nodded again "I got it, I'll keep my hands to myself," she chuckled "shall we got see the Serge?"

"Let's go partner," he smiled and led her out of the room.

Getting to Renzulli's office Jamie knocked and looked down on her "it'll be okay," he said as she shifted uncomfortably.

"Come in!" he called back.

Jamie opened the door "hey Serge, you ready for us?"

"Reagan," he smiled "come in, take a seat."

Eddie walked in and sat down "Serge," she nodded.

"Janko, good to see you," he smiled "how are you feeling?"

"Good, ready to get back out there," she replied.

"That's good, this is what I like to see," he said and stood up "I've been informed of the situation and I just want you to know how sorry I am and I'm here if you need anything. No one else in this precinct has been told anything apart from you were on loan to Danny and Biaz for a while, so you've nothing to worry about here."

"Thank you, I just want to forget about it and move on, getting back to normal routine is what I need."

"Of course, and all that matters to us is your safety and wellbeing," he replied. "Protocol calls that you do a one hour session on the gun range, you speak to a councillor to be assessed, you'll need to pass a physical and you'll be stuck in house today I'm afraid."

Eddie nodded "okay, where do I go first?"

"Councillor Dean is expecting you now, go to the gun range at nine am, physical at ten, take a break and come back to me at midday."

Eddie nodded again "okay, thanks Serge," she said and stood up.

"I'm real proud of you kid, and you," he said slapping Jamie on the chest "you've gone above and beyond for your partner, that's loyalty right there."

"Just doing what I can Serge, I guess I'll be at my desk then," he said.

"Good to see you two back," he said and watched them leave.

"God," she groaned "I didn't think I'd have to do all that."

"I know, but they have to make sure you're mentally and physically prepared. I'll walk you to the councillors office, I'll be at my desk if you need me," Jamie replied as they walked down the hall.

"I get attacked and I'm the one that has to prove myself?" she huffed.

"It's not like that Eddie," he said pulling her aside "when I got shot they made me jump through more hoops than this, it's just all by the book so they're covered if anything comes back to bit them."

"Whatever," she muttered and started to walk again.

Break time couldn't come fast enough for Eddie, dropping down at her desk she let out a frustrated groan and slammed her hands down on her desk.

"Take it easy partner," Jamie said looking up from his paperwork, "eyes in the sky remember."

"Sorry," she sighed and pulled her chair around to his side "I was so nervous and jumpy without you and she asked me why. I explained that you'd been a huge help and this was my first time without you. She asked me had I feelings for you and if I thought they effected my job."

"Romantic feelings?" he asked wide eyed "Eddie, this isn't good…what did you say?"

"I said no of course," she said and looked at him "even if I did do you think I'm dumb enough to tell her I have?"

"Maybe it's a bad time to give you these then," he said and lifted a big bunch of flowers from the side of his desk.

"You got these for me?" she asked as a smile spread across her face "aww, Jamie, thank you, they're gorgeous," she said taking them from him.

"Figured you'd be moody or upset…I got you this as well," he said sliding her a burger to her.

"Bacon cheese burger?" she asked with a grin.

"What else?" he laughed.

"You are awesome, we're getting pizza and beers tonight and I'm paying."

"I won't argue with that," he chuckled.

"No really, thank you so much," she said seriously "I don't think I could have gotten through this without you."

"You don't have to thank me Eddie, I'd have been here if you wanted me to or not."

"Janko! Reagan!" Renzulli called.

"Serge?" Jamie frowned as he walked to them.

"Get yourselves down to the five-four, Danny is looking for you."

"Both of us?" Eddie gulped.

"Yeah, he has a few questions, he's already been by your places…dumb nut never thought to check here," he chuckled and walked off "check in with me when you're back!" he called.

"Are you gonna be okay, or do you want me to go by myself?"

"No, let's get this over and done with," she said and grabbed her burger.

…

Arriving at the precinct Jamie walked to Danny's desk and found it empty "Biaz, hey…where's Danny?"

"I'll get him now," she said and stood up "he's been questioning this Nick guy all night, total dick."

"What?" Eddie yelled "he's here?" she panicked and started to walk backwards.

"Eddie, it's okay," Jamie said and put his hands on her shoulder "look at me, it's okay, you're safe, he won't get near you, he won't even see you."

"Do you need to get some air?" Biaz asked "I know this is hard, take all the time you need."

"I just wasn't expecting him to be here, I'm fine," she said and stepped closer to Jamie.

Jamie looked at her with his worried expression "you sure? Coz we can take a few minutes and come back."

"No," she said and turned back to Biaz "what does Danny need?"

"A positive id, he wants you to pick him up out of a line up," she replied.

Eddie nodded "we'll be in the observation room," she said and grabbed Jamie before walking off.

Sitting on the desk she looked at the floor "my heart is racing," she mumbled.

Jamie walked to her and put his hands on her shoulders "you're okay, you can do this, I'm right here."

"Thank you," she said and rested her head on his chest "you make me feel safe…what's so special about you?" she chuckled.

"Pick your poison," he chuckled "my good looks, my blinding smile, my funny humour, my caring nature."

"All of the above," she mumbled and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Sorry to keep you waiting…am I interrupting something?" Danny asked.

"No, she's just a bit freaked," Jamie said and pulled away from her "are you ready?"

"They're on their way in, Janko, evidence is strong against him, we've video footage of the restaurant and from a bodega across the street…it caught the attack, Erin's office won't prosecute unless we have a positive id."

"Why not?" Jamie asked annoyed, "you've got him on tape, you got his DNA from her under her nails."

"They could argue that the bodega footage is dark and across the street, the restaurant footage only proves she was with him and they left at the same time," Danny said and looked at Eddie "you were dating him, they'll use the DNA against you from another time...if at any point you want to stop just let me know."

"I'm fine, and I never slept with him or went back to his," she said and stepped up to the window.

Danny looked at Jamie for a moment before he nodded and knocked on the glass, he could see his younger brother was close to losing it.

Erin entered the room and closed the door behind her "Eddie, I'm just here for everyone's protection," she said glancing at Danny "if you see the guy point to him and we'll do the rest. If you're not sure you can take your time."

Eddie nodded and slid her hand into Jamie's as the lights came on.

"I'm right here," he said stepping closer to her.

Danny and Erin gave each other a knowing look before Danny banged on the window again "take your time Eddie have a good l-"

"Number three," she cut in.

Danny looked back at Erin and turned back to her "are you sure?"

"Yes," Eddie nodded.

"Do you need more time?" Erin asked.

"No, it was him, I won't forget his face any time soon."

Jamie stared at Nick who was in fact number three, clenching his fists he took a step closer to the glass wishing it wasn't there "what I'd give to be on the other side of this glass right now," he growled.

"Two wrongs don't make a right Jamie," Erin sighed.

"Are you kidding me?" he yelled whirling to face her. "Do you really think I care what happens to me right now!"

"Cool it kid," Danny cut in "so that's your final decision Janko?"

"Yes," she replied without taking her eyes off him.

As they walked out and rounded the corner Danny stopped as all the men were led his way "what are you doing?" he yelled "you're supposed to bring them the other way!"

"Corridor is blocked off," the officer said.

"Well then leave them in the room! You don't parade them this way!"

Jamie watched Nick look at Eddie with a smirk on his face "don't you look at her," he snapped and pushed Danny out of the way "you think what you did was funny?"

"Jamie, stop!" Eddie yelled.

"Danny do something!" Erin yelled and she pulled Eddie aside.

"You attack my partner and think you can get away with it!" he growled and grabbed his collar.

"Easy, kid, easy," Danny said and pulled him away "get them outta here!" he yelled and shoved Jamie around the corner "that was stupid Jamie, really stupid."

"The guy was smirking at her like he was proud of what he's done Danny!" he yelled back.

"Of course he was, he was trying to get a reaction out of her and you gave it to him!" Danny yelled back.

"I'm sorry okay," he sighed "I lost my cool, he was just looked so smug."

"Well you better pray you haven't just ruined this case! Or gotten yourself an assault charge!" Danny yelled and stormed off.

Erin walked to him "you need to control that temper of yours, we have him nailed to the wall Jamie, leave me to do the rest of the work," she said and walked off the other way.

Scrubbing his hands over his face he stood up and walked to Eddie "I'm sorry, I completely lost it."

"It's fine," she mumbled and started to walk "I got him, that's all that matters."

"Are you mad at me?" he asked as they drove back to their own precinct.

"No," she sighed "I just wish I hadn't seen him…feeling kinda down now," she said honestly.

"I know what'll cheer you up," he said and pulled in behind an ice-cream truck.

Eddie chuckled and climbed out "I don't think one will do it."

"Get what you want, my treat," he said and tugged her along to the truck.

A few minutes later they sat on the hood of their car with ice-creams "hey Jamie," she called. As soon as he turned to her she shoved her ice-cream into his face "now I feel better," she giggled.

"Hey," he laughed and wiped his face "I'm gonna be all sticky now…that was uncalled for."

Eddie laughed again and pulled tissue from her pocket "here, let me get it," she said and stepped between his legs.

As she wiped his face he looked up at her "what's with the staring?" she asked without looking.

"Trying to read you," he said and grabbed her hips as he slid off the hood.

Stilling her hands, she looked down on him, resting them on his shoulders she stepped closer to him, just as she lowered her head she jumped back "all done," she said quickly and hurried to her side of the car.

"Damn it Reagan," he muttered to himself and walked to his side.

…

The rest of tour had gone by painfully quiet, both afraid to speak to each other just sharing awkward glances and smiles every now and then. It was finally time to go home, Jamie was ready and waiting outside the female locker rooms for her-time to break the ice "hey," he said when she walked out.

"Hey, ready?" she asked.

"Yeah," he nodded and took her bag from her "still on for pizza and beers?" he asked as they walked.

"Sure, order or collect?" she asked as they climbed into his car.

"Order, I need to get a proper shower," he said as he pulled away.

"Hey," he said a few minutes later "I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to freak you out or anything, I just slid off the hood."

"No, it's okay," she sighed "it was me, I made it awkward, I stupidly went to kiss you."

"But you didn't," he said "we've been together day and night for three days now Eddie, it was bound to happen. At least now it's out of our systems."

"Yeah," she agreed "you've been there for me a lot, I'm living at your place, feelings are changing-but, like you said, it's out of our system now."

"Exactly," he replied and pulled into his spot "you order while I go clean this ice-cream off properly."

"It was funny," she chuckled as he let them in.

"Speak for yourself, I could smell it off my shirt for the rest of the day," he said.

"That's what you get for not having your spare in your locker."

"You're wearing it," he reminder her.

"Oh, yeah, forgot mine weren't washed…sorry," she said sheepishly.

"It's alright," he chuckled and threw his phone and keys down "won't be long," he added and walked off to the bathroom.

A few minutes later Eddie jumped as his phone rang on the counter "Jamie!" she called "your phone is ringing! Will I answer it!"

"Who is it?" he called back.

"Uh," she said and picked it up "Dana!" she called in.

"No! don't answer it!" he called back.

"Okay!" she called back and silenced it, looking down at the girls' name again she got a pain in her chest. Shaking her head, she locked the screen and walked to the sofa "he is allowed to see girls you know," she muttered to herself.

"What?" Jamie asked coming out in just sweats.

"Girly movie?" she asked quickly "I was gonna sa-" she stopped talking when she spotted him shirtless. Looking him up and down she swallowed hard, he was so fit, he was so gorgeous, the things she wanted to do to him right now.

"Uh, Eddie?" he asked looking at her with raised eyebrows and a smirk-he too had seen her stare.

"Sorry, um, girly movie or action?" she said and looked back to the tv.

"Action," he said and walked behind her "what's on the box?" he asked leaning over the back of the sofa.

"Um," she said all flustered "damn it Reagan! Go put a shirt on! I can't concentrate!" she yelled.

Jamie laughed and stepped back "didn't know I was such a distraction," he said and walked on to his room "pizza is here!" he called as his buzzer went.

"You wish!" she called after him "I wish," she muttered to herself and went to get the pizza.

A while later they lay on the sofa watching a movie "Jamie?" she mumbled and put her beer down.

"You tired?" he yawned and pulled her closer.

"Do you think this is weird?" she asked "us, lying on the sofa together like this?"

"No," he said and tugged her waist closer to him "this feels totally normal…why?"

"Just asking," she said and looked back to the tv.

"Is this about me coming out with no shirt? Am I on your mind?" he teased.

"Stop it," she giggled and turned her head "this feels totally normal to me too."

"Then shut up and watch the movie," he chuckled.

"Hey," she said and poked him "that's not nice."

"Hey, stop that," he said and wriggled away from her "I can't defend myself, my arm is under you and you've my other one locked with your elbow."

Eddie laughed and went to move, but squealed and grabbed him round the neck as she fell instead.

Having nothing to hold onto he came with her "ow," he groaned as he landed on top of her.

"Yeah, ow," she wheezed from under him.

Lifting himself up onto his elbows he looked down on her "are you drunk or something?"

"If I was this wouldn't have hurt," she chuckled "sorry," she said and slid her hands onto his shoulders "I thought I had more room."

"It's okay, but you have to let me go so I can get us up," he said looking down on her.

Staring at him for a few seconds she lifted her head and inched closer to him, leaning in the rest of the way she kissed him slowly and sweetly and pulled back.

Looking down on her he stared at her for a few seconds before he leaned back in and kissed her the same as she did.

Pulling him fully down to her she rested her head back on the floor and deepened the kiss, swiping at his lip she waited for him to open his mouth so she could slip her tongue in.

As she slid her tongue in he gripped her hips and battled with his own tongue. After the need for air became great he pulled back "Eddie," he panted.

Lying back as she tried to gather her own breathing she closed her eyes tight and ran her hand through her hair "I don't know what the hell just happened," she said and looked up at him "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

…

They lay on the floor in silence just staring at one another until Jamie pulled himself up and held his hands out for her "guess it wasn't out of our system," he said and pulled her to her feet.

"No, guess not," she sighed and sat down "do you want me to go?"

"What? No, don't be crazy," he said and sat beside her.

Looking over at him she smiled and reached out to move some hair out of his face "you're a pretty special guy Jamie you know that? I think the world of you."

Taking her hand away from his face he held it in his own "you're pretty special to me too, but we can't go there Eddie."

"I know," she said and stood up "so I'm just gonna go to bed," she said and hurried off.

"Hey, wait," he said and followed her to the room.

Stopping at the door she turned back to him "I'm tired," she lied.

"I know, just wait a sec," he said and stopped in front of her "don't go to bed with us being all awkward."

"Can we just forget it?" she asked, "night Jamie," she said and leaned into kiss him on the cheek.

Just as she did he stepped forward and she caught his lips, instead of moving away like she should have she grabbed him and kissed him again.

Jamie slid his hands onto her waist and around her back, locking them in place he backed her up against the door as he deepened it. Moving one of his hands above them to hold their weight he used his other hand to pull her flush against him.

"Jamie," she moaned as shivers ran down her spine.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked as he moved onto her neck.

"Oh god!" she cried and threw her head back against the door.

"I'll take that as a no," he said as she pulled him closer.

Deepening the kiss further she started to run her hands up his sides taking his shirt with her, pulling back she pulled it over his head and threw it to the floor.

"Is this just a decoy so you can check me out again?" he chuckled.

"I was not checking you out," she said as her hands ran up and down his chest.

Sliding his hand onto her cheek he titled her head up "liar," he mumbled and kissed her hard.

Kissing her for a few seconds he pulled back "as much as I'd like to bring you in there," he said nodding behind him "I just can't do it, it doesn't feel right…I'm sorry," he sighed.

Blowing out a deep breath she leaned against the door "I know," she mumbled "it doesn't feel right to me either," she said and looked at him "I don't wanna ruin anything with us at work."

"Me either..I'll sleep in the spare room," he said and kissed her on the cheek "night Eddie," he said and walked off.

Eddie closed her eyes and sighed heavily "pull yourself together Janko, you can't have him," she muttered and went into the bedroom.

The next morning Jamie groaned as his alarm went off, reaching out to turn it off he groaned again as his head thumped. He'd only had three beers last night but his head felt like he'd had ten, he almost jumped out of his skin when another alarm went off behind him. Rolling over he squinted and watched Eddie sit up and turn it off "morning," he sighed and lay back down.

"Morning," she yawned and snuggled back into the covers, neither questioning why she was in the bed with him.

"We have to get up," he said a few minutes later.

"I know," she grumbled "but I'm so tired, I barely slept last night."

It dawned on him why she was there, sitting up he tugged the covers off her face "did you have another nightmare?"

"Yes," she sighed.

"Why didn't you wake me?" he asked.

"Because things were awkward with us, so I just sat up for a while then forced myself to go back to sleep. After I had it again I came in here at like five thirty, and snuck into the bed."

"You should have woken me," he said and rolled out of the bed "get dressed I need a large coffee this morning," he added and walked to the kitchen.

Just as he pulled his shirt on his buzzer went "what?" he frowned, it was just after six am, who would be calling this early "who is it?" he said into the intercom.

"It's Dana," came a voice.

"Damn it," he sighed "come up," he said and buzzed her in, opening the front door he walked to the sofa to put his shoes on.

"Jamie?" she called form the door.

"Come in!" he called back.

"Hi," she said sticking her head in.

"Hey," he replied, "what brings you here so early?"

"You never called me back last night, we were supposed to meet up remember? I thought it was weird when you didn't so I thought I'd stop by and see if you were okay."

"Sorry," he sighed "I forgot all about that, I've things on my mind."

Dana looked beyond him to see Eddie coming out of his bedroom "Eddie? hi," she said and looked at Jamie.

"Dana," she said surprised "hey," she said awkwardly.

"It's not what you think," Jamie said, "Eddie is staying here while her place is being painted."

"In your room?" Dana asked.

"I fell asleep in there, he was watching hockey I wanted to watch a movie, he wouldn't budge so I went in there," Eddie said quickly.

"Yeah, so I went to the spare room," Jamie added.

"Sure," she laughed "anyway, now I see you're okay, I'll leave you to it…call me when you're free to meet again, bye Eddie," she said and walked to the door.

Jamie walked with her "thanks for checking on me, and again, I'm sorry about last night."

"She's even cuter out of her uniform," she smirked.

"It's not like that Dana, seriously."

"Uh-huh," she smirked again "I better head, see ya," she said and kissed him on the cheek.

Eddie watched them and sighed, why did that sting so much?

…

"You never told me you had plans with her," she said when he walked back to her.

Jamie shrugged "I forgot I made plans with her, I wasn't in the mood anyway."

Eddie sighed again "I would have been fine by myself you know."

"I didn't want to leave you after the day you had, can we just forget it?" he asked and grabbed his keys.

"Okay," she said and followed him out the door.

Along the drive Eddie glanced at him a few times "what's on your mind Janko?" he asked without looking at her.

"I think it's time I went home," she said quickly.

"What?" he asked and looked over at her "so soon? Are you sure you're ready?"

Eddie nodded "it's been almost a week now, I'm back at work, I'm back to routine, I'm fine Jamie. I need to go home, the longer I'm at yours the harder it's gonna be…I'm too dependent on you, I gotta learn to be on my own again."

Jamie pulled in at the precinct and turned off the engine "is this because of last night?"

"Part of it," she nodded "but mostly because I need to get back to normal."

"Eddie what happened last night won't happen again if that's what you're worried about," he said. "We're both tired, we'd have a few, it was a heat of the moment thing."

"I know," she nodded "but it's given me the push I needed."

Jamie sighed, he didn't think she was ready to be alone just yet "what if you have another dream?"

Eddie shrugged "I'm a big girl, I'll just have to deal with it."

"Eddie, I've heard the screams and cries, you were totally freaked and scared," he said frustrated.

"I thought you'd be happy to have your apartment back and not have to worry about me," she chuckled.

"I'm still gonna worry and I told you you could stay as long as you wanted," he replied.

"And now I want to go home," she said and opened her door "we're gonna be late," she added and climbed out.

"Eddie," he said and hurried after her "will you at least take the day to think about it?"

"I don't need to think about it Jamie, I'm ready to go home…I don't think you are," she said and turned back to him "why do you want me to stay?"

He wanted to blurt out that he never wanted her to leave but it wasn't about him or his feelings. "I just want you to be really sure you're ready so soon."

"So you want me to wallow and feel sorry for myself?" she asked.

"No, I want you to be okay and not just tell me you're okay so I'll back off."

Eddie stepped closer to him "I'm okay Jamie, you've helped me through this, I'm back to myself. I just need to get on with it so I'm going home and that's the end of it," she said and walked inside.

Jamie watched her go and sighed he was nowhere near ready.

A/N hope you all enjoyed this one, see ya soon JJ.