A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been following this story. I actually had another idea for this chapter but I was daydreaming in the grocery store tonight (and then I almost got hit in the parking lot because I was STILL daydreaming…) and this came to me. I was intending to skip ahead a bit but thought this might be better. We'll see.
I still don't own Flashpoint. And I'm not nearly as good a writer as W.E.B. Griffin, but I read a line in one of his books years and years ago and I've always wanted to use it in one of my stories. And this chapter finally gave me the chance. So thanks to Mr. Griffin for the inspiration that's never gone away. I hope I can do justice to the line.
Jules and Sam were relaxing in his room—well as much as two people could relax in an ICU room. He had moved as far over to the left as he could in his bed and her head was on his shoulder, her right hand lightly scratching his scalp while her left arm was slung over his waist. His left arm held her close. Occasionally her left hand would gently massage his injured right side, providing a small amount of relief from the pain.
"Jules…"
"I'm staying here again tonight Sam, don't even bring up the subject of me leaving."
Sam's stomach growled, the hospital-provided dinner sitting mostly untouched on his bedside table.
"Are you hungry, Sam?" Jules asked, lifting her head slightly.
"I am, a little. You?"
"Yes, actually I am. Do you want me to go get some dinner from the cafeteria?"
"Probably a good idea. I'll wait here." Sam flashed her his biggest grin.
Jules leaned in and kissed Sam's cheek before standing up and stretching. She was just about to walk down to the cafeteria when there was a knock on the window of Sam's room. Jules and Sam both looked up to see Wordy and Shelley standing just outside the room. Shelley was carrying what appeared to be two Tupperware containers of food.
"Well don't just stand there, get in here!" Sam exclaimed with a look of utter joy on his face. "We're starving!"
Jules walked over and hugged both Wordsworths before making room for the food on Sam's table. She pulled the lids off to reveal hot, steaming chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy. She wheeled the table over to the bed as Sam raised himself up to a sitting position.
"Ummm, you guys didn't bring…" Sam started, stopping when Wordy reached into his pocket and produced 2 sets of plastic utensils. "I guess you did, thanks!"
Jules started to eat before pausing and looking at Wordy. "Wait, who called you?"
"Called me? What do you mean? Shelley and I were at home, Ed and Sophie are watching the girls, and we thought you two might be hungry." Wordy tried to put on his best innocent face. Jules stared him down, not believing a word of it.
"Sarge?" Jules asked.
"Well, yeah. And Ed. And maybe Spike."
Jules shook her head. Their team—no, their family—always looked out for each other. It could be annoying to have all these surrogate brothers at times but she appreciated how they were always there for her.
"So Sam, how are you feeling?" Shelley asked.
"Better after this amazing dinner, thanks! Really, I feel better than I did this morning, I'm sore but I'll survive. Just looking forward to getting out of this place."
"Well, Shelley and I thought maybe Jules would like to get out of that uniform," Wordy started before Jules cut him off.
"I'm fine Wordy, I'm going to stay here again tonight."
"OK, but how about if Shelley takes you home to grab a quick shower and change into something more comfortable? It won't take more than an hour, and I'll stay here and keep Sam company. Then you can come right back here."
Jules thought for a moment. "Don't you two have to get the girls?"
"Ed and Sophie are watching them and they're used to being there so they will be fine for another hour or so. So we're all set there," Shelley replied.
Jules looked at Sam.
"Jules, it would really make me feel better if you went with Shelley. You've been in those clothes for a full day. Go get freshened up. I'm not going anywhere," Sam said.
"OK, you're right; I would like to clean myself up. Thanks Shelley."
"Great, once you guys finish dinner Shelley will drive you and Sam and I can have some guy time." Wordy was glad Jules had agreed. He'd have to thank Sarge for coming up with the idea.
Jules finished her dinner, kissed Sam, and left with Shelley.
Wordy watched Sam as Jules left the ICU with Shelley. He scrutinized the younger man's face as a small smile remained on his face after Jules was gone.
"How are you really feeling Sam?"
"I'm good, really. Sore, yes, but I'll be OK. I am probably going to get out of ICU tomorrow and hopefully a few days after that I can go home."
"OK, just don't be afraid to say if you're hurting. You need to be fully healthy to return to the team, you know that."
"I know Wordy, really I do. Hey, thanks for taking care of Jules when we first got here. Spike and Raf told me what you did for her and I really appreciate it."
"No thanks necessary Sam, you know we all look out for each other. It's the least I could do."
Sam nodded and the two men sat quietly for a few minutes while Sam finished his dinner.
"Sam, you know we're all happy for you and Jules… but if you hurt her, we will kill you. With pain."
"I know man, but you don't have to worry. There is nothing I would ever do to hurt Jules. I couldn't live with myself. We've been given a second chance and it's more than I could have ever hoped for. I'm not gonna mess that up. I promise."
"Right answer!" Wordy said before reaching into his pocket, "oh, I almost forgot. Ally drew you a picture when she heard we were coming to see you. We didn't tell her everything of course, but she knows you are hurt."
Wordy handed Sam Ally's drawing. There was a house and a dog and birds and the sun and three people, a woman and a man and a small girl. Sam smiled at the preschooler's art.
"Thanks Wordy, and please thank Ally for me."
"Will do Sam. Now, is there a hockey game on or something?"
"Thanks for doing this Shelley," Jules said as they got into the Wordsworth minivan.
"No problem Jules. I'm sure it will make Sam feel better to know you're getting some fresh air and new clothes."
"Yeah I guess, he was pretty anxious to get rid of me, wasn't he?"
"Are you kidding?"
"No, I mean he was practically pushing me out the door."
"Jules, be serious. That man is crazy about you."
"He's—what?"
"Lemme think, how did Kevin put it? Oh yeah… 'Sam thinks the sun rises in the morning because Jules wants it to'."
"What? That's crazy!"
"Just face it Jules, you two are stuck with each other."
Jules turned to Shelley with an incredulous look on her face.
"I'm just sayin'…" Shelley said, using the words Jules had said so many times.
They arrived at Jules's house and headed inside. Shelley made herself comfortable in the living room while Jules showered and changed.
Shelley and Jules—who was freshly showered and changed into her most comfortable sweats and one of Sam's t-shirts—walked back towards Sam's room. They could hear the guys laughing inside, though they were obviously keeping their voices low so as not to disturb the other patients.
"Oh boy, what have you two been up to?" Jules asked as they walked into the room.
"Oh ya know Jules, just guy talk," Wordy said as he crossed the room and pressed a kiss to Shelley's cheek.
"Awesome!" Jules replied in her patented sarcastic manner.
"Well we better get going, the girls have school tomorrow. Sam, I'm glad you're OK. We'll see you again soon," Wordy said before walking over to pat Sam on the shoulder and give Jules a quick hug.
"Thanks for everything Wordy, Shelley," Jules said, hugging Shelley as the Wordsworths walked out of the room.
"I got you something," Sam said when Jules turned around.
"You what?"
"I got you something while you were gone. By the way, my t-shirt looks great on you. It would look even better off of you though…"
"Don't even think about it Braddock. I don't want to get arrested for being indecent in St. Simon's Hospital. And you're certainly in no shape for indecency…"
"Not cool, Jules! Anyway, here, I got this for you."
He waved her over to the bedside and pointed to the world's most uncomfortable chair, upon which sat 2 pillows and a blanket.
"You got me pillows and a blanket?"
"Yeah, I thought if you were gonna sleep here tonight you could at least be a little more comfortable." He smiled at Jules, nodding at her as if to try to convince her of the greatness of his acquisition.
"What'd you do, flirt with the Head Nurse?" Jules replied with a sly look in her eyes.
"Whatever it takes Jules. I just turned on the old Braddock charm."
Jules walked over to the bed. "Save that charm for me, Soldier," she whispered in his ear before thanking him and pressing a kiss to his lips. She took the pillows and blanket and settled herself on the chair next to the bed. She put one pillow behind her and placed the other along the side of the bed as a cushion. Laying her head on Sam's shoulder she waited until his arm held her to his side before draping the blanket over both of them. Her arm again went to his waist.
"Jules…"
"Sam, for the last time, I'm staying. Please, just don't fight me on this."
"But Jules, you hate hospitals."
"Sam, do you want me here?"
"Well of course I do, I never want to be anywhere that is away from you. But you have to work…"
"Actually while I was at the house I talked to Sarge and he gave me tomorrow off, and the next day too if they let you come home. And then we have 2 days off, so I don't have to go to work again for 5 days."
"Well then I guess I'm out of excuses." He kissed her temple and settled back against the bed.
They watched TV for a while longer until Sam heard Jules's breathing become deep and regular. He turned the TV off and just watched Jules for a few minutes. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was. He ran his fingers through her hair and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
"Thanks for staying Jules. I love you," he whispered into her hair.
"Love you too Sam," she mumbled back, barely awake.
Sam took as deep a breath as he could with two cracked ribs, hugged Jules tighter to him, and smiled. He could do this for 1 or 2 more nights, knowing that soon he'd be going home with Jules.
The nurse woke them early the next morning. "So, who's ready to get out of ICU?" She asked, a tad too cheery for Jules's liking.
"We are, but can you tone it down a bit please?"
"Come on Jules, if there was ever a reason to be loud early in the morning, that's it! What do we have to do to get me sprung from this place?"
I know, it's a pretty corny chapter, but there are a lot of reasons I decided to include it. Mainly because this chapter is dedicated to a US Marine named Andrew. He was my Sam. Inside my heart he is still my Sam. 9 years ago tomorrow (19 May) he was taken from me. If I could have just 1 wish it would be to have 1 more hour, because then I know I would get it right. But then I'd just want another hour.