This is the last chapter! I'm not completely satisfied with it...or the whole story, for that matter. I guess that's what happens when you don't know where you're going with it when you start. Anyway, I have an idea for a new story, but I want to get the big picture plannned before I start anything. All I know right now is that it involves Jordan and Woody going undercover, but not as a married couple like most of those stories are.

I appreciate the reviews. Enjoy:-)

Chapter Ten: Present Beginnings

The waiting seemed to go on forever. Jordan paced a continuous path between the rows of chairs…Garret and Max on one side, Bug, Lily, and Nigel on the other. All of them watching the trail of her skirts.

After an eternity, the doctor finally stepped over to them. "Detective Hoyt?" he asked. Everyone nodded, but as Jordan was standing, the doctor addressed her specifically.

"He'll be fine," he said. Jordan let out the breath she was holding. The doctor continued, "He was shot through the left shoulder, so the bullet missed everything vital. The surgery went well; Detective Hoyt is recovering in a room down the hall."

"Can I see him?" Jordan asked.

The doctor nodded. "He'll probably be asleep, but I don't see any harm in it. Room 311." He pointed in the direction of the room and left.

Jordan glanced back at the others and walked briskly to his door. She paused at the entrance, wiping her hands on her dress. Quietly, she slipped inside.

Woody was indeed asleep. His face was a bit pale, and there was a huge bandage around his shoulder, but otherwise he looked all right.

Jordan walked silently up to his bed and sat down on it. She was careful not to make noise, but the movement woke him up anyway.

"Hey," she said once his eyes focused.

"Hey," he answered back, his voice hoarse. "I'm in the hospital?"

Jordan almost laughed at his question. "Yeah…do you remember what happened?"

Woody closed his eyes briefly. "Yeah…Kahill?"

"You got him," Jordan replied. "He's dead."

Woody sighed. "Good…that's good." Then he looked at her. "Now he can't hurt you."

Jordan smiled. "I know." She paused and looked down at her hands. "I was worried about you…I thought that you'd…I thought…."

Woody took her hands. "I know," he said softly.

Then he reached up and ran his other hand gently—almost timidly—through Jordan's still-down hair. It got caught halfway down. He tenderly pulled the offending leaf from her dark tresses.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

Jordan started to nod, but the evening's stress caught up with her and she felt tears prick her eyelids. Not wanting them to fall, she closed her eyes tightly.

"Come here," Woody said. His outstretched arms guided her to lie next to him, her head resting on his chest. After a few minutes he kissed her forehead, causing Jordan to look up.

She didn't know how it happened, but in the next second Jordan found her face millimeters away from Woody's. His hand cradled her face, and he kissed her.

The kiss was heaven. Jordan absolutely melted in his embrace. She realized that she was so taken with him that she was shaking…and she hoped that he never stopped.

But why was Nigel calling her?

Jordan felt her body shake again. "Jordan," the British voice continued to call. "Jordan, wake up."

She opened her eyes slowly. Nigel was standing over her, his hand on her shoulder. "Sorry we're so late, Love," he apologized. "Traffic was awful."

Jordan looked around, still a bit disoriented. "Where is Mr. Stevens's body?" she asked, remembering where she was.

"He's all loaded up and ready for transport," Nigel answered. "You were out to the world, so I thought I'd just let you sleep a bit longer."

Jordan flashed him a small smile, but her dream stayed in her head and motivated her out of the chair. "Thanks Nige," she said. "I uh, I have to go do something. Will you take him back and prep him? I'll do the autopsy first thing tomorrow."

"Sure thing, Love."

Jordan went to the precinct, but Woody had already gone home for the night. Knowing that he wouldn't answer a call from her cell phone, Jordan decided to go to his apartment.

He wasn't home yet, but Jordan didn't want to wait any longer…she wasn't sure she'd bet able to do this tomorrow. Instead, she took a seat next to his door to wait for him.

The wait wasn't long. Woody soon turned the corner, a bag of Chinese food dangling from his hand. He stopped short when he saw Jordan sitting on the floor.

"The autopsy done?" he asked gruffly.

Jordan blinked a few times, confused. "Oh…no. It's not," she said while standing up. "Nigel didn't get there until about an hour ago, so I'm going to do it tomorrow."

Woody gave an exasperated sigh. "So what do you want?" he asked while fishing his keys out of his pocket.

"I…I…," Jordan blew out a breath. There was no turning back now. "I want the ring," she blurted.

It was enough of a shock for Woody to pause just as the door swung open. "What?" he asked.

"I know, it's terrible timing and everything…but I want to wear your ring," she said.

Woody shook his head and went inside. Jordan followed him before he could shut the door on her.

"Really, Woody. I'm serious," she started. "I…I wanted to accept it the first time…I was just…afraid. You know me. I thought that if our relationship changed that I'd lose you."

"And now?" he asked angrily.

Jordan faltered. "I'm sorry," she answered softly. "I'm so mixed up…I never thought that by not letting our relationship change, I would lose you anyway."

Woody looked at her for a beat. "Why should I believe you?" It was an honest question, not asked in bitterness.

She spread her hands out to him. "I can't say anything to make you believe me…but," she took a deep breath. "I love you."

Jordan looked up at him, hoping that she hadn't made a huge mistake. Woody didn't say anything. He just stood there. After a while, Jordan dropped her hands and turned to leave…she had to get out of there before Woody saw her cry.

"Wait."

She stopped, but didn't turn around. She heard him leave the room, and then heard a drawer open and close. He came back and stood in front of her.

He tipped her face up so that she could see his. "I don't know if I should do this," he said, almost to himself. "I love you, too, Jordan." He held up something to her.

It was the ring. Jordan gasped. "You really kept it?" she asked.

"I couldn't give up on you," he said. "Even though I was angry, I couldn't bring myself to take it back…to give up."

Tears did make their way down Jordan's face this time. "I'm so sorry, Woody."

He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Then, Woody drew her into a hug. "It doesn't matter now," he said. "Now we're okay."

Next, he kissed her, and it was even better than in her dreams. And this time, there was no Nigel to interrupt them.