John's eyes followed the gentle rise, and fall of her stomach while he grasped her limp hand in his as if it was the only thing holding him to this world. The steady beeping of her heart monitor was music to his ears while the rest of the room was silent. John leaned forward resting his elbows on the pale yellow colored blanket that was draped across her waist as he continued to trace her body with his gaze. Her skin was still pale, but the hollow look to her face was receding easing his worry. John lifted his gaze away from her to the IV stand near her that was steadily dripping fluids back into her body. Joss was severely dehydrated from her days of being violently ill. Her doctor had taken several tests, but her tentative diagnosis was food poisoning.
Her doctor had administrated a shot to cease the nausea for Joss, but had been extremely worried about how dehydrated she was. Joss had increasingly became unresponsive, her pulse erratic, and the doctor had thanked him for bringing her in when he had. John closed his eyes not wanting to think about the implication that had they waited any longer to get her to the hospital Joss could have died. John felt the hot burn of tears behind his lids knowing he couldn't live without her.
Her kid was a wreck, and felt like it was his fault for not pushing his mother into the hospital sooner. Taylor hadn't wanted to listen to him that Joss was stubborn instead he took on the burden of guilt all on his young shoulders. John was going to have to get through to the kid that his mom would be pissed off when she awakened to find out he was blaming himself. John had finally gotten Taylor to agree to go down to the kitchen, and get some food with Harold. Taylor was fiercely protective of his mother so he had to bargain with him to get him to agree, and her kid had only one stipulation that John stayed with his mother never leaving her side which he had readily agreed too. John wasn't about to leave her side. John opened his eyes peering down at her, and smiled softly at the restful look to her face. Joss had been out for the past nine hours sleeping since just moments after he had brought her into the hospital.
"You scared me Joss when I went into your apartment, and found you like that I was scared. Nothing scares me Joss, but the thought of losing you." he whispered quietly as if she was listening to him. He brought her limp hand up to his cheek resting it there closing his eyes leaning into her. "You weren't supposed to mean this much to me, but you do. I wanted to walk away from you because I needed you too much, and I wanted you to have a good life which I am afraid I can't provide. But even though that would be the selfless thing to do I can't." he paused wishing he would hear her voice, but the doctor warned him that she was doing what her body needed to do, and that was resting.
John drifted back to the car ride when she had uttered so quietly that she loved him. He wasn't sure if she meant the words or not, but either way it shattered all his defenses he had to keep people out to keep her out. John felt open, and exposed in a way he never been with a woman before not even with Jessica. He would do anything for her if she told him to leave, and never return he would. If she told him to hold her forever he would do so because he was hers forever, and for always. He brushed his fingers across her hand he continued to hold.
"Joss I know I am a hard man to get along with, but thank you for not giving up on me. I promise to make it up to you for pushing you away for so long wasting time together."
"Are you in love with my mom?" John sat straight up in the chair turning his body a little, but never letting go of her hand to look at her young son. "Its cool if you are." he said as he moved closer towards him.
"Taylor, I didn't realize you were back from eating."
"Mr. Finch is still down there eating, but I ate quickly to come back to sit with my mom, and you. But you dodged my question Mr. Badass." the kid let a small smile flicker on his face. John hadn't seen the kid smile since he had been at the hospital by her bedside awaiting for her to awaken. He pulled up a chair to sit beside him pausing to sip his bottled water. "So are you in love with my mom?" John sighed knowing the kid was going to persistent until he got an answer just like his mother.
"Yes."
"I knew it." Taylor grinned slapping him on the back. He shook his head at the kid's exuberance. "I could totally tell you loved my mom back when you were over the other day. You looked at her funny, and I knew you were a goner. My mom is amazing though, so its no wonder you fell in love with her."
"That's just great a teenager can tell what I'm feeling before I even know." John shifted his gaze back onto Joss so he didn't have to see Taylor's smug look anymore.
"As long as you treat my mom right we won't have any problems."
"I would never intentionally hurt your mother Taylor." he ran his other hand up her arm softly with just his fingertips wanting to touch her.
"I know which is why I trust you with my mom's heart." John turned to look away from his love's face to look at her son. "Welcome to the family John now that you're in you will never ever get out again."
Joss slowly blinked her eyes open feeling slightly better thanks that the constant nausea gone. Where the hell was she? Joss flicked her gaze across the white room not recognizing it. Slowly bits, and pieces came to her remembering John carrying her saying she needed a doctor. Joss smiled slightly thinking about how he bullied her into going to the hospital which was sweet that he cared so much about her. It was nice to know he cared about her as much as she cared about him. Things were a bit fuzzy, but she recalled being carried into the hospital in his strong arms, and a swarm of doctors asking questions that her foggy brain was having a hard time thinking of answers too. She swallowed a little her throat hurt from the vomiting, and it was so dry. She needed something to drink which she hadn't had any urge to do for like days. Joss shifted her gaze around the stale room looking for something to drink when her gaze landed on the most adorable sight.
John had the most uncomfortable looking chair pushed near her bed his hand linked with hers his head leaning to his left while his long legs sprawled out in front of him. His suit jacket was wrinkled, and his hair appeared rumpled from running his hands through it. God where was her cell phone when she needed it to take a photo of the big strong man looking so adorably rumpled. She tugged on his hand a little, and his eyes snapped open as if he had just fallen asleep. His blue eyes landed on hers looking sleepy, but alert. John sent her the sexiest lopsided grin that made her pulse race even if she still felt like crap she wasn't dead, and that smile was potent stuff. He shifted cringing only for a moment when he rolled his shoulders a bit before lifting her hand up to his mouth pressing his warm, and soft lips against her skin. He brought it back down to the bed after a moment.
"Hey there beautiful."
"Hey John." oh god that was her voice what happened to it? "Water." he nodded grabbing a glass of it that was on the table beside her. She narrowed her eyes on the IV piercing her arm flicking her gaze up to the bag dripping something into her body. First water then answers from John. She lifted a little, and her body screamed in agony. She must of made a sound because John gently pushed her back down.
"Just lean your head forward Joss." she did as he said without a word for once deciding he was right. Joss eyed him while he placed the glass to her lips helping her drink a few greedy sips before he brought the glass away from her mouth. "You want more?" she shook her head leaning her head back on the pillow reaching for his hand again.
"What happened?"
"Your test results came back negative which makes your doctor happy that her tentative diagnosis of food poisoning is correct. Taylor confirmed the fact that you came home from work days ago complaining of not feeling well."
"Yeah I bought a quick meal from the lunch wagon as the day progressed the worse I felt." her voice still sounded a bit raspy, but since drinking some water helped her talk a bit easier. "I can't believe I thought it was just a really bad flu bug." she should have known it was something worse then just a mere flu bug since it was taking too long to recover. She had just thought it was because she rarely got sick so it was taking longer to get better.
"Your vomiting was easily taken care of your doctor gave you a shot to stop the nausea for you, but it was your dehydration that scared everyone. You were dying." Joss stared into his eyes seeing the unshed tears forming in his blue depths.
"The IV?"
"Getting more fluids into you since you are severely dehydrated."
"Is that why I felt so out of it?"
"Probably a combination of the dehydration, and the vomiting."
"I feel extremely weak, but better without the constant nausea present." he nodded his head.
"Your doctor said that you were going to have to stay here for at least another day or two for observation to make sure you are recuperating fully." well that held no appeal, but she wasn't going to argue with him about it. She could clearly see the concern in his eyes for her, and she wasn't going to make things worse for him or her son. Which speaking of her kid where was he?
"Where's Taylor?"
"He's around the hospital somewhere with Finch. He wanted to get you flowers, and a card." Joss smiled he was such a good kid.
"Is he alright?"
"Scared for you, but he's holding his own. When he found out that you were going to be alright he perked up." she nodded, and suddenly she realized she didn't know what day it was?
"What day is it?"
"Saturday evening." she blinked amazed she had been out of it for almost a day.
"The last thing I remember was sending Taylor to school Friday morning. The rest is a bit fuzzy I remember you coming over, and picking me up." in those oh so strong arms of his holding her like she weighed nothing at all. She had felt small in his arms, but so safe knowing he would protect her.
"Your doctor said you needed the rest because your system had been under such stress from the vomiting, and diarrhea. She also said your severe dehydration was also a factor for your need to sleep a lot." she stared at him fully realizing he hadn't been exaggerating that she could have died. If he hadn't bullied her into the hospital by just plucking her up, and taking her here she could possibly have not made it. She had been so stubborn, and it could have cost Taylor his mother. It was an eye opening experience she needed to take better care of herself she wasn't indestructible, and this was a lesson she learned the hard way.
"Thank you John." she held onto his hand tighter feeling sentimental over him not leaving her side. She turned her gaze away not wanting him to see the love she felt for him afraid he would surely balk at it.
"You have nothing to thank me for Joss." she felt his fingertips on her cheek bringing her eyes back to his.
"I scared you, and my son because of my own stupidity." she bit her lip lightly not going to cry over it.
"You weren't stupid Joss just stubborn." he smiled lightly before bringing his lips down on her forehead briefly. "But don't do it again to me." he whispered as his eyes bore into hers. "I don't think I can handle losing you."
"Well good news you are stuck with me." her eyes felt heavy as sleep beckoned again, but she didn't want to sleep she was scared to close her eyes afraid of how much more time she would lose if she did.
"Rest Joss stop fighting it."
"Hold me John I want to sleep in your arms."
"Joss I don't think the doctors will like that."
"So what it will make me feel better having your arms around me, and I promise to sleep like a baby as long as you hold me." he looked at the door as if waiting to see if a doctor, or nurse was going to show up to scold him. But when no one showed up he stood up taking his suit jacket off throwing it onto the back of the chair he had been sitting in. Joss scooted close to the side where her IV was hooked into her arm patting the bed next to her. John slowly sat on the bed beside her pausing long enough to first take his dress shoes off, and then to push the covers down to her feet before stretching out his long legs beside hers. John grabbed the covers pulling them back up, and over them to their waists. Joss undid the top three buttons of his crisp white dress shirt which earned her a look. "I'm trying to get you a little more comfy." she whispered before laying her head on his strong chest.
"Uh-huh I think you are just trying to seduce me detective." she smiled at his soft murmur.
"Always." she yawned, but her answer earned a soft rumble of laughter out of him. John held her close to him tucking her close to his side, and she snuggled into his embrace slipping his one leg between hers to burrow into his warmth. Joss's body ached, and hurt everywhere but it felt instantly better with his big body pillowing hers. Joss grabbed his hand in hers loosely linking their fingers laying it low on his abdomen. His thumb was gently rubbing circles on her dark skin, and she sighed in content as her eyes slowly began falling down as she yawned again.
"Joss."
"Hmmmm?" she tried to keep awake, but he was the best pillow out there. Insomniacs should sleep on top of him they'd be out like a light, but then again he was hers. She tightened her hold on him unconsciously as she slowly drifted off.
"Did you mean it?" his voice was soft.
"Mean what?"
"Did you mean what you said in the car?"
"I-I don't know John what you're talking about." she yawned struggling to stay awake, and to remember what he was talking about.
"Relax darling we'll talk about it when you feeling better. You need to rest now to get your strength back."
"I just need you, and Taylor." she whispered before falling asleep once more.
Author's note: AWWWWWWW there's only one more chapter left :( unless I add the bonus chapter which I might knowing that I can't end it without it turning smutty! But anyways hopefully this was worth the torturous cliffie I left the last chapter on :)
Since this story is almost over... :'( I do have a tiny request I have an idea of doing a theme type story for them, and I was hoping you guys could give me different one word prompts starting with each letter of the alphabet it would be a story containing 26 separate one shots going from A-Z using the prompts you give me :) Any word don't matter to me lol but I need all of the letters so if you guys could help me out I greatly appreciate it. You can give me them through PMs or reviews whatever you prefer if I get a lot of a certain letter I will keep the prompt you give me and I will use it for another one shot or something :) :) So I thank you if advance and if there is any letter left I will bug my friends into giving me some prompts lol. I wanted to let you guys get first crack :)
TONIGHT's a new POI episode YAAAAAAAAAAAY! Will we, or won't we get a scene with our peeps my vote is NO because they love to torture us Creese-ers!
Thanks for reading, and reviewing as always it keeps me motivated to update regularly, and keep me writing lol so I do thank you all so much :) :)