Chapter 10

I must have been able to get back to sleep, because I was now waking up beside Morelli. For a change it was me that was spooning him. He was a little lower in the bed than I was, so that my head was just above his. My arm was wrapped around him. I sleepily thought of how many mornings I had woke in the reverse position with Joe. It was always comforting having his arms around me, as if he were protecting me from the outside world. Of course, Mr. Happy also often made an appearance during those wake up calls, but I digress. Hoping that Joe got some of the same comfort sleeping in my arms that I have received in his, I gave him a quick peck on the head and got up to face the day.

First things first: I turned on the coffee maker. While the coffee was brewing I began listening to my messages. There were only 28 new ones to listen to. Ugh! The first few messages were from various friends and family members; my mother wondering where I was, my Grandma looking for a ride, Valerie called so I could hear Lisa say "Momma" and so on. Lula called just to check in. Connie called saying she knew Lula had already called but she was calling again "just so I can get that primate of a cousin of yours off my back!" Good job Connie, call made. One message made me smile. It was a simple "Yo."

The next few calls were from my mother and I could hear the tension in her voice increase with each message. "Stephanie, please call me right away. It's really important." There were similar messages from friends. I was glad I hadn't listened to these last night. They would have really freaked me out, not knowing what was going on. My coffeemaker beeped that my morning brew of life was ready and I decided the rest of the messages could wait.

As I stood gulping down my elixir of life Morelli came out of my bedroom. While he still looked pretty exhausted he also looked incredibly sexy. He'd pulled his jeans on and put on his shirt. If only he'd buttoned his shirt or put on his shoes and socks. I don't know what it is about Morelli in bare feet in my apartment that turns me on, but it does. Maybe not wearing shoes makes him look comfortable, like he belongs here. I turned to pour him a cup of joe, just to help me get my eyes off of him. After all, this really wasn't the time to be letting my hormones run amuck.

"Thanks, Cupcake." as he accepted the cup of coffee.

"How'd you sleep, Joe?"

"As well as can be expected. Thanks for letting me crash here, Steph. I really didn't want to be alone." Looking over his cup he continued "And you're the only one I wanted to be with."

I gave Joe a tight smile, not knowing what to say.

"Sorry. I'm overtired. I'm out of my mind about Tony. And I'm having a hard time editing what I say to you. Look Cupcake, you know I love you. You know I want to be with you and no one else. And I know you're not ready to hear that from me just yet and that you don't want to deal with our relationship. I've been trying hard to give you your space..."

I softly interrupted "Joe, you've been doing great giving me my space. I really appreciate it."

"So."

"So."

After that bit of uncomfortable almost silence I couldn't believe the next words that popped out of his mouth: "Want to go to the hospital with me today?"

"Joe, I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Me either. But it might help keep me sane around my mother and grandmother." Then he looked at me with such affection and smiled at me like I was the only other person in the world. "Who would've thought that I'd be looking to you to keep me from going crazy when you're usually the one driving the express to crazyville."

Even though I gave him my best 'Burg eye roll, I couldn't help the chuckle that slipped out. Then I realized the gravity of the situation. "Really Joe, I don't think …"

"I'll protect you from Grandma Bella and I'll spring for Pino's for dinner."

Crap. I hadn't had Pino's for a couple of weeks. Between being low on cash and the guys at Rangeman including me in their dinner plans Pino's had been conspicuously absent from my diet. "That's playing dirty, Morelli."

"You know me. The dirtier the better." And there was that smile again.

"Why don't you go over to the hospital and give me a call from there. Maybe there will be things going on that will need your attention and I'll just be in your way."

"First, Stephanie, get this straight. You will never be in my way. Second, if I leave here without you I know you'll never make it to the hospital."

Rats. I should have known he wouldn't fall for that. So I just gave in. "OK. I'll go with you. But if Grandma Bella starts giving me the eye I am out of there."

Kissing me on the forehead, "Thanks. And I'll protect you from the eye."

"I'll need to take a quick shower first. How about you?" At the teasing smile I rolled my eyes, again, and said, "No, that isn't an invitation."

When I got out of the shower Joe was on his phone with Gazarra. The guys at the station were all wondering about Tony and he was filling them in. I overheard him say that he just spoke with the hospital and there had been no change in Tony's condition. After he finished his call he went to take a quick shower. I called my mother to let her know Joe had told me what was going on and that I was going to spend the day at the hospital with him. I'm sure that left my mother wondering and hopeful. Next I called Ranger.

"Yo."

"Yo, yourself."

"Babe. How's Morelli's brother?"

"Oh my God. How do you know that already. Never mind. Don't answer. They still don't know yet. Physically they did some repair work but he is still in a coma."

"Are you ok? Do you need anything?"

"Thanks, Ranger. I'm OK."

"Tell Morelli Rangeman is pulling for his brother.", and then he was gone, hung up, as usual, with no warning. Yeesh!

Joe came out of the bathroom, freshened up. "That was Ranger. He said to tell you they're all pulling for Tony."

Joe looked at me incredulously and shook his head, as if to clear it, and said "Ready?"

I nodded my head, picked up my jacket and we headed for the door.