Many, many thanks to those who have continued to provide constructive comments that have helped me hone Gil's state of mind, especially TiaRat, who has prodded me to get it right. This one is winding down although it isn't quite finished. I hope you all will continue to offer comments and suggestions until the very end.
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It was Jim that took Gil home from the hospital. Getting in and out of the car had been difficult for Gil, but the steps at his place were painful and Jim grimaced as he watched his friend negotiate them. Once they made it to the bottom, Jim helped Gil to a chair, where he sat, pale and nauseated from the pain. Jim took his bag into the bedroom and reappeared with the small bag of meds from the hospital. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," Gil answered, still trying to breath. "Just need a couple more minutes..."
Jim knew it was the ribs causing the problem. He knew from his own experience how painful they could be. Hell, just breathing hurts… "You won't feel like too many trips up and down for a few days, so make a grocery list and we'll see that you have what you need."
"Yeah, thanks…"
"You want me to get Hank?"
"Ah, no. I can't take care of him yet; you know, walk him and all…"
"Won't have to. Everybody has signed up for turns."
"What?"
"Yeah, Hodges actually thought of it. There is a schedule for people to stop by and check on you."
"No, oh no….Jim, please…call it off."
Jim chuckled. "Not a problem. Catherine already took care of it. She knew you wouldn't like so many people intruding; not to mention Hodges escalating his stalking by showing up here."
"Good," Gil answered with relief.
"But Catherine and I do have plans to be sure you are covered. So, I'll go pick up some groceries and then get Hank."
"Okay. And Jim…thanks."
Jim waved him off and headed back up the steps. "Catherine said she'd be by in another hour or so. I shouldn't be much longer than that."
"I'll be okay; probably going to stretch out…"
Gil was awakened by the feel of Hank bounding into the bed. Jim managed to get to him before the dog actually assaulted Gil with licks and slobber, but the motion of his body on the bed sent waves of pain through Gil's ribcage. Once Jim had pulled the dog back, Gil eased himself up and then nodded for Jim to release the dog. Hank bounded back onto the bed, licking Gil. "It's okay boy, I've already had a bath today," Gil smiled as he petted the beast.
Catherine stood in the doorway to his bedroom, chuckling. "I know one creature that is very happy to see you home."
"Yeah," Gil smiled. "Sorry about falling asleep but the trip home took a lot out of me, I guess."
"Understandable," she grinned. "No harm."
Jim looked between the two and grinned. "Well, if you two have things under control, I'm going to head back to my place. Need some beauty sleep before my shift."
"Yeah, we're okay," Catherine assured him. "Thanks Jim," she said as he left.
Gil looked across Hank's head to Catherine standing on the other side of the room. "So now what?"
"Up to you. Do you need more rest? Or I can fix us something to eat…"
"I'm not really hungry."
"Me either, actually."
Gil looked at her, wanting to say so much but unable to say anything at all. As she watched various expressions play across his face, she realized he was stuck. Easing her way towards him, she sat on the end of the bed. "So, you glad to be out of the hospital?"
"Yeah, I think so…but it hurt like hell getting here."
They sat quietly for a few minutes and then Gil began to talk. "Cath…" She looked at him with such wide, expectant eyes that it gripped his heart. "That night…I didn't…Sara just showed up."
"I know."
"And at the hospital…I needed to tell her…something." This was harder than he thought it would be. "I needed to let her know that I didn't blame her for what happened. She…well…I backed away from her; that's why I feel down the steps."
"Okay," she said calmly.
"I just thought…well, I didn't want her to leave thinking…"
"It's okay Gil. Really, you don't have to explain it to me."
"But I want to. I want everything out in the open; I don't want you to have any doubts…about me and Sara, I mean."
"Gil, you love her. I get it."
"I'm glad you understand it because I'm very confused right now. The only thing I do know is that whatever Sara and I had, it's gone. It died a slow death after she left and now it's gone. A part of me will always love her but…"
"Now maybe you kind of understand why I had such a hard time after I divorced Eddie. You never understood why I still had feelings for him but I did, even though I couldn't live with him anymore."
"Yeah…I think I do." His eyes brightened as he realized she did understand.
"So, you need some time to grieve your loss and figure things out. I know you do. I understand, Gil. I'm here for you as a friend until you are ready for something more. And if you decide there isn't anything more, I'll still be your friend."
He smiled at her, wishing for more now. But he knew it was too soon. He would have to wait to say the words that he wanted to say now. In time…a little more time…
"So how about we watch a movie?" She asked.
"Sounds good, but it will have to be on this TV. I'm not up to climbing the steps just yet."
"Okay, have a preference?"
"Nothing that will make me laugh," he smirked.
"Yeah…okay. I'll go pick a couple and you can choose."
She came back a few minutes later after browsing his selection. "I'm going to bring over a stack of movies because copies of Meer Cat Manor just doesn't do it for me. But I did manage to find these two. She held up 'Othello' and 'Manhunter'.
"I'll let you choose, but I don't know if you'll like 'Othello', its Shakespeare.
"I know and I've seen it and I do like it. But I think the guy in Manhunter is a hottie, so I'm choosing that one.
Gil smirked. "A hottie? A guess you like the brooding type?"
"I dunno, he kind of reminds me of you….a younger you, of course."
"No resemblance what so ever, unless you count the beard."
"Whatever…" she replied as she put in the movie. Then she settled in the bed next to him.
They watched the movie, Gil dozing through most of it and as it ended, she curled up next to him to sleep. He woke up sometime later, at first startled by her nearness, but then relaxed and drifted back to sleep, a smile settling over his features.
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Yeah, I know...short. But it is a necessary transition. As always comments are welcome, although I realize there may not be much to say about this one. But you're gonna like the next one!