The Long Wait Ends

Her eyes never leaving Sam's lax face, Jules sat in a chair at his bedside in the ICU cubicle. Though the hospital had a strict policy about only one person being allowed in the room, they bent the rules today. They had to, or someone else might end up hurt.

No, Jules wouldn't be jabbing someone's bicep if they didn't allow Ed to join her in her bedside vigil, nor would it be Ed throwing his weight around to get his way. Nope. Dr. Fraser made the call because Ed was the only person who broke through Sam's fog when he woke in the recovery room and went totally berserk.

A well-meaning post-op nurse was scared to death, and the surgeon, Dr. Crandle, who came to check on his handiwork, was now sporting a black eye. Both could've been dead if Ed hadn't been on his way back from the restroom and overheard the commotion. Ed was the hero in both the nurse's and surgeon's eyes.

Ed had swooped into the room to find Sam fighting to stand … his leg not supporting his weight … as his bandaged hands flailed about at anyone who came near him. Crandle was on the ground—Sam's powerful hit cold-cocked the surgeon. The frightened nurse was racing for the phone to call for assistance as two orderlies grabbed Sam, but unfortunately for one, his efforts were met with a hard blow from Sam.

Using his most authoritative tone, one akin to Blaze's, Ed had barked, "Stand down, Blondie. That's an order." At which point, Sam stilled, and his drug-clouded eyes locked onto Ed's steel blue ones for a brief second before crumpling to the floor, unconscious.

So, the long wait to see Sam extended further. With the help of orderlies, Ed got Sam back into bed, but Sam had managed to mess up a lot of the hard work the surgeon had done in the first round of surgery. They had to call in another orthopedic specialist because Crandle couldn't operate with one eye constantly watering and in the process of swelling shut.

Dr. Rugger spent several hours repairing the damage to both the hand Sam used to punch Crandle and the orderly and to his leg from trying to stand. After which, Dr. Fraser approved Ed to be in post-op in case Sam became confused about his surroundings again. Then after an extended time in recovery, due to an erratic heart rhythm, Dr. Rugger had Sam moved to ICU, wanting constant monitoring of his patient's vitals after two grueling back-to-back surgeries.

That's when Jules was allowed to join Sam and continued her long wait. Part of her wished he would wake so that she could tell him thank you for saving Spike. But a greater part wanted him to sleep through the night peacefully after all he endured today. In a way, she wasn't ready to face reality … or to view the depth of pain that would reflect in Sam's eyes when told the extent of his injuries.

She mentally kicked herself for one random, selfish thought … if Sam couldn't return to SRU, he could be the one to provide a stable home life for their unborn child, of course, after he or she was born. She could return to the team with the knowledge at least one parent was no longer putting their life on the line daily.

Jules sighed and glanced at Ed, who sat across from her, his hand still holding the bedrail so tightly his knuckles were white. She understood witnessing Sam in full soldier mode must've caused terrible memories for Ed. Though Ed never revealed, thank God, the things Sam conveyed to him the night he listened to the torture Sam endured when he was held captive, Jules comprehended it was as horrific as the scars on Sam's body suggested—maybe more so.

She also knew Ed never liked ordering Sam … though he did it when necessary … for Sam's good. She allowed a wan smile to appear, she had another person to thank, and she didn't need him to wake up to do so. "Ed."

Tearing his gaze from Sam, Ed peered at Jules. "Yeah."

"Thank you."

His eyes scrunched. "For what?"

A real smile bloomed. "For being you. For doing what you did today. For everything."

Ed shrugged. In his mind, he didn't do anything special … only being a friend and teammate and doing what was expected of him as team leader.

"Don't discount your actions. You kept Sam from hurting others and himself—"

"Stop!" Ed's hand squeezed the railing. "He's lying in this bed because of my decision."

"No. And don't belittle his decision to save Spike with your unfounded guilt. We both know who Sam is … he's a protector and is willing to give his life trying to save ours. Sam's going to need our support, not pity or us questioning his action. He did the right thing, and there's no way you could've foreseen the circumstances of today's call … or the outcome. I'm thankful they are both alive … and will be okay in time."

His fist relaxed somewhat at Jules' light admonishment. She spoke the truth, although the weight of leadership still pressed down on him. But he recognized Jules needed his support, too, instead of wallowing in his self-recriminations. So he released his hold on the bed's rail and leaned back, ready to leap into action if Sam needed him to play Blaze again. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Glad you see it my way." Jules yawned and arched her back. While more welcome than standing, these chairs were not the most comfortable furniture to sit in for hours.

"Why don't you go grab some coffee and stretch your legs?" Ed suggested.

"No. Not until after he wakes. I need …" she trailed off, still somewhat uncomfortable about displaying her love for Sam, even though the chief had cleared them to stay on the same team for now.

Ed only nodded. He got her gist … if it were Sophie in this bed, he wouldn't be moving an inch. He would offer to go get coffee, but he didn't dare leave … for Sam's sake as well as Jules'. She would be devasted if Sam woke in super-soldier mode and hurt himself further. He sighed, in it for the long haul … Sophie understood he wouldn't be coming home until after he assured himself Sam would be alright.

They dropped into a companionable silence only broken by the steady reassuring beeps of the heart monitor. The nurses came and went, and Sam slept on as Jules and Ed maintained their quiet vigil, both believing Sam wouldn't wake until later in the morning based on the doctor's estimation after the stress his body underwent.

So, when the clock displayed three-twenty, both were surprised when blond lashes flickered and lids opened to reveal blue eyes.

Jules moved slowly so she didn't startle Sam. Though she wished to hold his hand or caress his left bicep, she did neither because of the injuries. Instead, her fingers gently brushed his temple and ran through his hair, aware he found the motion comforting. Keeping her volume soft, she said, "Hi, Sam. You're safe. Spike is safe. I'm here, and not going anywhere. Sleep now, my love."

She didn't know if he registered anything, but after his eyes appeared to fleetingly connect with hers, his lids closed and his head slightly leaned into her touch. Jules smiled with relief and leaned down to tenderly kiss his cheek.

Ed felt like a voyeur as he observed the affection Jules exhibited for Sam. On most days, in most situations, he wouldn't peg the ex-soldier and feisty profiler as a compatible couple, but here and now, he saw what lie in Jules' heart. Her abiding love shone true in her eyes. And Sam … for a moment, Ed thought he glimpsed what he would describe as a lost soul who found his home … perhaps they were soulmates after all.

Standing to stretch his legs and back, Ed said, "I think that is a sign I can go grab us some coffee."

Jules's cheeks pinked up as she had forgotten Ed was here and witnessed her PDA. Sam had been her whole world the moment his eyes opened. "Yeah … make mine extra strong."

Nodding, Ed moved to the exit but halted and turned back to Jules. "Hey."

Jules tore her eyes off Sam to peer at Ed. "What?"

Ed smiled broadly. "I'm glad you two stuck it out … it was a twisting and difficult path for you both … but I think the long wait to be together, somehow makes it sweeter."

Jules only gapped at Ed's back as her team leader pivoted and strode down the hall. But her attention snapped back to Sam, shocked when his raspy voice said, "Ed's right."

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Sorry for the long wait ... life got busier than I expected. Oh, and for those wondering (and patiently waiting) ... WOUNDED HONOR, the 3rd book in the Strike Force Zulu series is now available on Amazon as an ebook, paperback, and hardcover.