Chapter 7
Now that their newfound feelings were out in the open, Julie and Pete no longer felt the need to hide them. Yet, out of respect for their two companions they kept their desires in check. Pete holding Julie's hand was automatic, and occasionally he would rest his hand on an arm, shoulder, knee, or even her face, but everything else was kept light on the surface. On occasions when they found themselves alone, their lips found each other, content right now under the circumstances, to be kept light and airy, but kisses still the same.
The doctor's were in awe of the quick recovery she was making. She didn't bother to share that it wasn't their medicine that was curing her; it was Pete. Most waking hours of the day, he could be found at her side. She liked to be wheeled around the grounds outside for fresh air and that was their one place they could sit under one of the big trees, holding hands and exchanging light kisses. But Pete wheeled her all over the hospital, too. The nursing personnel noticing his devotion and attentiveness towards her would smile as they saw him taking her to the day room...The younger nurses being almost envious.
Meanwhile, Linc and the Captain tried to juggle their time of being there for them and giving them time alone to explore their new found romance. Greer especially had his work cut out for him… He had a case to crack and needed to make sure he had everything necessary to not only capture Monte Wilcox, but have a case that will put him away for a long, long time. His attempted murder of Julie made it a priority. Between going to the hospital to visit her and spending time at the office gathering evidence and proof he was swamped. But he needn't worry because Julie was never alone anyway, Pete made sure that that.
The doctors were quite impressed at the rate that Julie was improving. Her gun shot wound was healing nicely and the broken rib was not of a huge concern although they understood that it was painful for her. After 6 days, they told her they would probably be releasing her the next day, but although she had made tremendous progress, they didn't want her staying by herself for at least two weeks.
The captain offered, explaining that he had plenty of room but the flaw in his plan was that he would be away at work most of the time, thus leaving her alone, which is what they didn't want. Linc offered her the opportunity to stay with him, but it was Pete that finally arranged a workable plan. He knew she'd be more comfortable at her own pad so that's where she should go - he would simply go and stay with her, using vacation time he had accumulated. After he suggested it, her large eyes searched his face to see if this was something he really wanted to do. The look in his eyes said it all...affectionate affirmation that warmed her heart. She sent her own message to him with her soft sable pools... her way of thanking him, silently.
True to their word, the doctors released Julie the very next day. The wound from the gun was puckered and slightly swollen and causing her some pain, but the rib pain was worse. They gave her some mild pain killers, but explained that some pain was to be expected; it was just part of the healing process. However, she was given strict orders that even though she was going home, she wasn't to do anything. Pete smiled when he heard the nurse say that because he knew from experience it would be easier to tell a water filled cloud not to rain than to tell Julie not to do anything in her own apartment. Hopefully, he had everything covered, though. From the moment he was informed that she could not be alone he had formulated a game plan...
He had been to her apartment the night before and stayed well into the morning hours. He cleaned everything he could see that he thought she might see a speck of dust on. He had went to the 24 hour grocery store and stocked the cupboards and even prepared two nights' dinners ahead of time so all they had to do was heat up the containers and dinner could be served. He had stripped her bed and washed her bedding so it would be nice and fresh for her, and he had even added an extra touch of sprinkling rose petals on and around the bed. Then finally he had purchased candles and made sure there was enough of them in every room to be able to turn the lights off and get that burning glow. He though he was ready, or more like hoped he was ready, because the only Judge that really mattered was her.
All three of the guys were happy to see her looking like her old self compared to what she looked like just one week ago. They wanted to do something special for her and knowing how she loved the beach, they thought they would take her there for a short picnic. They wouldn't keep her out long as to tire her out, but the fresh air and scenery she adored might just be an extra dose of good medication.
When they arrived and exited the car the sea air was like a healing balm. With Pete's arm supporting her, Julie took a deep breath.
"It's so good to be here," she stated, her eyes looking to the ocean.
"The perfect cure for whatever ails you," Greer said with a smile.
He and Linc carried the blanket and picnic basket, leading the way while Pete gently escorted her. They decided to set up a spot halfway between the parking lot and the ocean's edge. Once the blanket was laid out, he slowly helped her to sit down on it, taking a seat beside her to be her support if she needed it. Greer and Linc settled themselves down as well
A long standing joke between them was that when one was hungry, the others only had chicken, so it was appropriate that the picnic lunch centered around chicken and its regular side dishes. The men must have been starved for they finished most everything in one large gulp. Julie, however, had really not regained her appetite, and all the coaxing in the world by Pete could not make her eat anymore.
After lying on the beach for a little while, Julie said she wanted to go for a little walk. After all, she'd been in a bed for a week now. So Pete extended his hand, helped her to her feet, then wrapped a protective arm around her. He reasoned with himself that he was really trying to keep her warm as the air had turned a little chilly, but he had a second motive: he wanted to be close to her.
He learned of the third reason, which he hadn't thought of at the time, and that was to keep her upright and stop her from falling. Given her still weak condition, her gait was unsteady walking across the sand, heading to the ocean's edge.
Still worried, Pete asked, "How are you doing?"
Julie replied, "Okay so far.. As long as I can hang onto you."
"Don't worry, angel. I'm not letting go." Ever he told himself.
They didn't go far, but Julie took deep breaths of the sea breeze, something she had missed terribly. But, the further they walked, the less steady she was becoming and it was taking most of Pete's strength to keep her from falling.
"We're heading back...I think you've had enough," he declared.
Too tired to respond Julie just nodded.
If the Captain and Linc hadn't been there, he might have just swept her up in his arms and carried her, but they were there so he resorted to Plan B. Keeping a tight grip around Julie while trying hard not to aggravate the broken rib she still had, when they reached camp he announced that it had been a long outing for Julie's first and it was time for him to take her home. Linc and the Captain looked at her and noticed that once again she had lost her color and was pale so they, too, agreed with Pete, telling him to just go. All that they had to do was to throw empty items and plates away, and pack the few things that came with the picnic basket and they, too, would be on the way.
Julie dozed on the way home, but woke long enough once to see Pete driving well under the speed limit.
"This isn't like you," she pointed out. "Where's Mario Andretti?"
Pete glanced at her, his expression hidden by his sunglasses. "That's cute, honey...very funny."
A blast of horns behind them sounded and Julie said, "If you keep this up, you're gonna get a ticket for being a road hazard."
"Huh," he retorted. "When were you reassigned to traffic duty?" He glanced in the rearview mirror at the growing line of cars behind them. "I'm in the right lane, let them pass me. I'm transporting a patient right now."
"I'm not going to break," she told him, "and we'll never get home if you keep going that slow," she finished as the other cars whizzed by them, some giving them dirty gestures and others yelling obscenities.
"I just didn't want to hit any pot holes too hard and aggravate your rib."
"You won't Pete. Drive normal, for me...please," she pleaded.
He glanced over at her with apprehension at first but couldn't help bursting into that lopsided grin that she had always loved. "Okay," he agreed.
He sped up a little as Julie fell back asleep.
He helped her into her pad, feeling that maybe they had worn her out just a bit since she felt more like a ragdoll than a person. Much to his disappointment, she assured him she could change into her bedclothes without his help. After she had, he helped her into bed, then sat next to her. He held her hands and gazed into her eyes before leaning toward her and kissing her, a gesture she was happy to return.
"I can't believe this is happening," she gasped.
"Me either, but I'm glad it is," he returned.
"Oh me too," she said as a yawn escaped her.
"Well thanks a lot. I'm glad I'm that exciting," Pete mocked her.
"Sorry," she said with a wicked grin.
Pete just gave her his million dollar smile. "Tell you what, why don't you get some rest while I get your prescriptions filled?
Julie yawned while she nodded her consent.
"You be okay?" he asked to which she nodded again. He helped her slide down into a sleeping position, covered her up, kissed her on the forehead, and quietly made his exit. He swore she was asleep before he got to the front door.
Julie hadn't realized just how tired she was until she awoke hours later to the succulent smell of something cooking. She sat up a little in bed, wincing at the pain in her rib to see Pete wearing an apron and busying himself in the kitchen. The sight made her smile.
Pete must have sensed her eyes upon him because he whirled around to look at her. "I didn't wake you, did I?" he asked worriedly.
"No," she assured him. "Sleeping is all I've been doing for the past week anyway."
"You need your rest to get better," he informed her.
"I know," she said with a shrug. "I just wish it was faster."
"It'll happen, angel. Just give it time."
"What are you cooking? It smells great."
Pete grinned. "Pot roast with vegetables," he informed her.
'My favorite?" she asked incredibly.
"Just for you m'lady," he answered.
"A girl could get used to this," she cooed.
Pete didn't answer back, he just winked at her as he lit candles and turned out the lights. Going back to the kitchen, he fixed a tray of food and brought it up to the little loft that held Julie's bed. When he had her all settled, he went back to the kitchen and fixed himself his own tray of food, joining her on the bed for their first dinner together as more than just friends and partners in crime. Sometimes they ate, sometimes they fed each other, they clinked their glasses in a toast, and stole a few vegetable tasting kisses.
"I never knew you were such a romantic," Julie told him.
"I think there's a lot of things about me you don't know," he teased.
"It's going to be fun finding out," she smiled, as he leaned in for another kiss.
After Pete cleaned up from dinner, he moved Julie's little TV to her vanity, The two of them laid close to each other in the bed, watching their limited choices of the night's agenda. Every once in a while, he would lean over and they would kiss, the way they were learning to, under the circumstances. It wasn't what either of them would have chosen to be restricted to doing with both of them being in the same bed, but Julie was far from healed and any other activity might harm her, the last thing Pete would ever do.
A little while later, Pete caught both of them drifting in and out of sleep. Getting up, he turned off the TV.
"It's time to put little angels to bed," he announced, helping Julie to a sleeping position, then kissing her on the forehead.
"Pete?" she questioned.
"Yes angel"
"You really don't have to stay. I'll be fine until morning cause you're not going to get any sleep on that sofa. You're too big for it."
"I'll fit just fine, and there's no way I'm leaving you alone. Doctor's orders, remember?"
"Yes, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Besides," he countered, "I wouldn't get any sleep at home anyway. I'd be too worried about you being alone."
Julie sighed, knowing she wasn't going to win the argument, no matter how right she was. There just wasn't any reasoning with a stubborn Pete Cochrane.
Pete changed into a t-shirt and shorts from the bag he had packed before picking up Julie. Grabbing a pillow and blanket from the closet, he settled down on the couch for a good night's rest. Thirty minutes later, neither of them were asleep. Pete had done nothing but wrestle with a couch that Julie had been right about; it was too small for him. And Julie had done nothing but listen and watch him wrestle with it. Making a conscious decision, she smoothed the bedcovers out then called to him. "Pete?"
"Sorry angel. Am I keeping you up?"
"Pete, come up here, will ya?"
Glad to be away from the couch, Pete climbed the stairs thinking that Julie needed something. He stopped in his tracks when he finally realized that Julie had pulled the covers back on the side of the bed opposite her wound, inviting him to join her. He cocked his head, then looked at her.
"Are you sure about this?" he whispered.
"Positive."
Slowly, Pete climbed into the bed. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, make love to her, but she wasn't up for much of that so he settled for a kiss. Together they settled to a cuddle position and within minutes they were both fast asleep.
