A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Heres the lead in to more Jamko drama! Has anyone else read the description for tomorrow nights episode? It says "Jamie and Eddie face choices that will affect their futures in the department and their relationship" I can't wait! Until then enjoy this chapter :) I don't own Blue Bloods
Back at the precinct later that night Eddie was changing back into street clothes after an uneventful tour. She was waiting for Emily to get done so they could go out tonight, something else to get her mind off Jamie. Emily finally came out and they were ready to go. They were walking out as Sarge and Decarlo, Jamie's partner, were walking back in from their tour. Renzulli stopped the girls.
"Janko, I got a message from the commissioner that Jamie was released and is staying with his dad in Bay Ridge for a few days. Decarlo and I are heading over there in a bit and I think it'd be a good idea if you came too."
"Oh we were just heading out for a couple drinks maybe tonight-"
"I have to finish out some paperwork here before we go. There's time for you girl to have a drink before we head out" sarge interjected knowing after everything that had happened this week she would need a little prodding to get over there.
"Uh okay I guess so. Just call me like 20 minutes before you're ready to go?" Eddie said
"Perfect I can just pick you up on our way" sarge replied.
"Well that'll be good!" Emily said excitedly after Renzulli and Decarlo were out of earshot.
"Good? Not exactly what I was thinking" Eddie shot back
"Come on! I think it would give you some closure to physically see that he's okay"
"Em. Jamie and I have only had three conversations this week. The first one he yelled at me, the second I yelled at him, and the third he thought he was dying. I really don't know if I want the first time I see him after all that to be in front of my boss in the commissioner house" Eddie argued
"Okay so you might not get some private time with Jamie to talk but it might make it easier to work things out later if you at least get the initial awkwardness over with." Emily urged
When they got to the bar Eddie ordered two beers, one for each girl, and a shot of tequila.
"Janko what are you doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Tequila? Really? That's how you want to show up at the commissioner's house? Drunk?"
"It might make this easier"
"Easier or embarrassing?"
"Fine no tequila." Eddie grudgingly agreed
Emily was doing a good job helping Eddie keep her mind off everything. They talked, ate, drank, and laughed, something Eddie hadn't done in a few days. Then eddies phone rang. It was sarge.
"20 minute warning Janko" he said
"Okay I'll be ready" she replied and they hung up
"I'm so nervous what do I even do? What do I say?"
"Eddie you have nothing to worry about! You know Renzulli he's got a big mouth. Let him handle the talking and you just be there"
"I don't want to do this"
"Yeah but you need to so good luck"
Fifteen minutes later Eddie was climbing into the backseat of Renzulli's sedan. Madeline who had waited around at the precinct sat shotgun. Renzulli and Decarlo made small talk and Eddie chimed in occasionally. Bay Ridge is way out there. Eddie thought to herself as this drive seemed to take forever.
"Janko you ready for this? You've been pretty quiet" Renzulli asked
"I'm fine" she insisted as the pulled up in front of a large brick house set up on a hill with a long green lawn out front.
"Good because we're here" Renzulli announced
Eddies heart was racing as they made their way up the steps to the house. The thought she might pass out as Renzulli rang the doorbell. The commissioner answered.
"Tony! It's good to see you! Jamie just got home a few hours ago and I'm sure he'll be glad to see the three of you" Frank welcomed them amicably
Eddie followed Renzulli inside. To the left she saw a large dinner table, must be where all those infamous family dinners take place she thought. The followed the commissioner past a quaint kitchen into a living room where Jamie was sitting in a chair. He was wearing sweat pants and a large NYPD sweatshirt, his right hand was poking out of the right sleeve but the left arm was in a sling tucked under the sweatshirt. He had a book in his lap that he was reading.
Jamie was surprised to hear the doorbell ring and his surprise only grew as his father led Renzulli followed by Eddie and Madeline into the room. As Emily had predicted Renzulli led the majority of the conversation talking about everything from the Jets to the weather to a couple big cases. Madeline chimed in now and then and Eddie stayed basically silent.
Most of the time Renzulli was talking Jamie was thinking about what he would say if he got a chance to talk to Eddie. But He wanted their fist conversation after all this to be private. What's there to be said? How do you move past something like this? She made a small mistake he made a big mistake then fate screwed things over so bad it's hard to recover. Hey Eddie I'm sorry I yelled at you for changing partners without asking me then slept with my ex girlfriend? That doesn't seem like the right thing to say. Ignoring everything doesn't seem right either.
On the other side of the room Eddie was having the same struggle. What could I even say. I'm glad you're okay? I'm sorry I switched partners I just thought we were getting too close to the line between friends and more than friends. I guess I was wrong? No that's not right.
"Janko you've been pretty quiet. You got anything to add?" Sarge shook her from her daydream
"Uh, I'm glad you're okay Jamie" she said awkwardly
"That's all you got Janko?" Sarge asked
"You've really been doing an excellent job covering everything please continue" she replied with a slight hint of sarcasm
Renzulli rolled his eyes and continued talking.
"So Reagan whatcha reading?" Renzulli asked
"Oh just some book I found upstairs in my old room" Jamie replied casually
"What's it about?" Renzulli asked trying to make conversation
"It's just some book I had from college. Some law stuff"
"Kid you're reading law books on your days off?" Sarge asked surprised
"Always good to brush up on some stuff." Jamie said this time with a hint of nervousness in his voice. In all honesty what Sydney had said about how he could be an asset to her firm resonated with him. He wasn't ready to admit it to himself much less to his family or his boss, but there was a small voice in the back of his mind, possibly his mothers voice, telling him to consider it.
"So sarge when can I get back to work? I mean I know it will be desk duty but" Jamie changed the subject
"Whoa Reagan you been outta the hospital for only a couple hours and you already wanna get back to work?"
"Anything but sitting around here all day" Jamie said
"I heard that" Frank said from the other room
"I know dad" Jamie replied
"Well kid today is Thursday. Despite what you might think you need some time off so check in with me again on Monday and we'll see"
"I'll be ready" Jamie assured him
"Well since these girls are being uncharacteristically quiet I guess we better let you get some rest"
"Thanks for stopping by. It was good to see everyone" as Jamie spoke he looked Eddie straight in the eye. after 2 years together they had a way of talking without words. Their eyes carried white flags today. Surrender, no more fighting but still some work to be done before peace.
"Feel better Reagan" Eddie said as they walked out.
Once they got to the car Sarge laid it on Eddie.
"Janko what was that?"
"What? I have the right to remain silent" she said jokingly
"You been his partner for two years, you saved his life and all you could say was feel better? I know you can do better than that"
"Maybe I can't do better than that" she retorted bitterly
"Janko"
"You're the one who made me come in the first place. I said what I had to say"she argued
The rest of the drive was pretty quiet.
"Sarge, I'm sorry I was out of line" Eddie apologized as the got back to the precinct
"Maybe it's my fault. This is tough on you and I guess you weren't ready" Renzulli replied
"I shouldn't have acted like a child"
"Just go home and get some rest. Long tour tomorrow" sarge replied and they walked away.
Damn it. Now I've screwed up with my boss, and my best friend. Could this week get any better? Eddie thought to herself as she walked to her car.
Over the next few days Jamie threw himself into recovery mode. He didn't push his limits, he took all his medication right on time, and he changed the gauze exactly as the nurses showed him. He needed to move on. He needed to go home, and go back to work. Even if it was modified assignment. By Sunday dinner he was feeling and looking much better.
"Jamie you're looking much better" Linda started after they said grace.
"Trying to get back to normal" Jamie replied
"How's your partner doing with all this?" Erin asked
"Being new on the job it's never easy but Renzulli's got a close eye on her" Jamie replied
"I'd hardly say Eddie is new on the job hasn't it been two years?" Linda asked
"Eddies not his partner anymore" Danny informed his wife
"Since when?" Linda asked
"Monday" Jamie replied in matter of fact tone
"So how's Eddie handling this? I saw her the other day" Linda followed up
"Touchy subject honey" Danny told his wife
"I'm sorry Jamie I don't mean to be nosy" Linda apologized
"It's fine I'm just ready to get back to normal"
"Speaking of normal, we have a conflict" Frank said "pop and I have to go to Pennsylvania tomorrow evening for a retired cops funeral. So we won't be here to take care of Jamie"
"Dad I'm a grown adult I'll be fine" Jamie argued
"He could come stay with us but I hate to say it dad I think he's right" Danny said
"I can go home at least until the next surgery" Jamie insisted
"I can check up on him" Erin offered
"Then I guess it's settled." Frank said.
Monday morning Frank helped Jamie get his stuff back to his place then dropped him off at the precinct where Jamie insisted he was ready for work. Besides the bills piling up Jamie didn't know why he was so eager to get back to work. Maybe it was the sense of normalcy or maybe it was the chance to see Eddie. Jamie went upstairs and found Renzulli in his office.
"Reagan what are you doing here?" Renzulli exclaimed with a smile but also a hint of concern.
"You said Monday I could come back"
"I believe I said Monday we would talk"
"Come on sarge! I can't sit home any longer please"
"Fine I guess I can find some paperwork for you to do but don't push it. I need you healthy so you can get back on the street" Renzulli insisted
The day passed slowly. By five o'clock Jamie was more than ready to go home. The whole day he didn't see Eddie once. They needed a chance to work things out but that moment would be hard to come by. As he was getting ready to go Eddie's friend Emily came whirling past his desk. She stopped and back tracked.
"Reagan? Surprised to see you back so soon" she said
"Here I am" Jamie said with a one armed shrug
"Hey listen I'm glad to see you back because I didn't know how to contact you otherwise. Eddies birthday is tomorrow and a bunch of us are taking her out after tour. She thinks it's just the two of us going out for drinks but I actually have a reservation at this Italian place a few blocks from here. I really want you to come but I know it's short notice and you've got a lot going on" Emily explained
"Yeah no problem I'll be there. Just uh give me the details and I'll be there" Jamie replied