HELLO!

*excited face* I'm SO excited to be BACK! ^_^ I'm sorry it took me so long to load ANYTHING, but due to health issues, school, and changing jobs, I had no time nor energy. But now I'm determined to see this new fic through. Wish me luck! And I hope you enjoy it. ;)

-Eli

Jamie hobbled along the sidewalk, her cane making a light 'tap-tap' against the concrete. She kept her head down, unwilling to face anybody's curious stare. She kept jerking slightly when people bumped against her, ignoring their apologies in favor of trying to hurry away - as fast as she could with a cane, that is. Grimacing, she stopped and leaned over to massage her calf with one hand.

"Excuse me."

Jamie nearly fell over, scuttling to the side to avoid the mother and her children. Giving her an odd look, the mother shook her head and continued on, cheerfully chattering away to her complaining youngsters.

Jamie took a deep, calming breath, then slowly made her way down the sidewalk. She was so jittery being around people...her therapist said that would fade over time. She rolled her eyes inwardly. Her therapist had also told her that her blog would help her get used to being a civilian again.

She had yet to see a difference. (Though that could possibly be partly her own fault...since she hadn't written anything yet.)

Stopping at a cafe to get a steaming hot latte, she went back outside to settle on her usual bench and people-watch. Jamie sipped at it carefully, her eyes taking in every person that walked by.

The little boy, running down the sidewalk after an older boy who had an irritated expression. Obviously, they were brothers, and the little one was trying to catch up with the other, since they were supposed to walk home from school together.

The old man and woman, meandering along, arm-in-arm. They weren't talking, just silently enjoying each other's company. Coming upon their 60th wedding anniversary-

"Watson? Jamie Watson?"

Jamie's head swiveled, and she stared at the dark man with an American accent standing to the side. He smiled.

"Marcus Bell, remember? You were in New York for the trial?"

The memories of New York hit her like a tidal wave, but she managed to smile back at him instead of grimace. "yes, sorry, hello Marcus." She shook his hand warmly. "I'd get up, but..." she self-consciously tapped her leg with the cane. "My leg..."

He glanced down at her leg. "I'm bit surprised to find you here, actually. Last I heard, you were overseas in Afghanistan getting shot at." He settled next to her on the bench. "What happened?"

She turned and quirked an eyebrow at him. "I got shot."

After a brief awkward silence, Marcus cleared his throat. "So...you're not staying with Harry?"

Jamie merely snorted at that.

"But-"

"Nope," Jamie cut him off, her lips making the 'p' pop.

Marcus thought for a second. "Do you have an apartment in central London?"

"More like on the outskirts, but I'm still sorta in London," Jamie murmured, taking another sip of her coffee.

"Hmm..." Marcus hummed, smirking to himself. "Did you even try to get a roommate?"

Jamie let out a surprised, bitter laugh. "Oh, come one. Who'd want me for a flatmate?"

"Y'know...you're the second person to say that," Marcus said, smiling.

So...waddya think? :) Follow and review, please!