Title: Faith in Love! # 7

Started: 13th June 2002

Finished: 18th June 2002

Disclaimer: They aren't mine.

Genre: Angst

Rating: G

Summary: Does Jonesy survive the hit and run?

Author's Notes: I felt like I had written myself into a corner with this part. But it's finished now *wipes brow with relief*. Thanks again for the feedback…please keep it coming. It's great to get, as I then know I am on the right track! Penny, you're such a star! Caterina, Trudi and Rel, thanks for all your encouragement.













~*~*~*~*~



"Sergeant Gallagher won't be in today, Stewart you're in charge," Tom announced when he arrived at the station the morning after the hit and run.

Jo waited until Tom went to his office before complaining, "What is this? Some sort of holiday camp. She takes off to Melbourne for two days, is barely back an hour and now she isn't coming in at all today. 'And' she gets up our noses if we're a second late for our shift."

"She's at the hospital Jo, with Jonesy," PJ interrupted Jo's ramblings to explain Tess' absence.

"So, we're all worried about him, what makes her so special she can have the day off to sit by his bed?"

"Give it a rest Jo. You don't know what you're talking about," PJ walked away from the font counter towards his office.

"Well tell me then," Jo demanded following him.

"Leave it Jo," PJ demanded. "Now, have you got the name on that rego for me?"



***



"Boss, I'm back," Jonesy announced after knocking and entering Tom's office.

"Umm, excuse me Jones, back?" Tom queried.

"Yeah, back on active duty."

"Well, that is good news Constable."

"You're telling me, one week in hospital and three weeks behind a desk, enough to drive anyone insane," Jonesy turned to open the door. "Guess I'll go tell the Sarg now."

"Not so fast constable," Tom's words stopped Jonesy immediately. "I've noticed things are a bit tense between you and Sergeant Gallagher."

"Nothing I can't handle Boss," Jonesy muttered.

"Jones, it bothers me when two of my members are finding it difficult working together. I didn't want it to come to this but you did request a transfer."

"Yeah I know Boss, I 'was' hoping that after the accident…" Jonesy's voice trailed off.

"That Tess would let you know how she felt?"

"How did you know Boss?"

"Son, as I told Tess a few weeks ago, I've seen it all before. It's easy to see when Tess is umm…happy."

"Yeah, well she isn't right now, is she?" Jonesy muttered. "I don't know what the problem is Boss, I swear when I was unconscious I heard…no, you'll think I'm stupid."

"Jones, I don't want to pry into your personal life with Tess, 'but' it is affecting your work and hers. Talk to her, I think you'll find she's just scared of getting hurt again.

"Again?" Jonesy questioned.

"She 'still' hasn't told you! Look, I've already said too much, Jones talk to her or I'll have no option but to fulfil your request."

"Boss, please, told me what?" Jonesy pleaded.

"I'm sorry Jones, this is something you have to sort out yourselves."







***



The day passed slowly for Tess, it seemed there was always someone in the room checking on Evan. Each time she asked how he was the answer was always the same, 'he's stable'. She sat holding his hand, she laid her head on the bed, she stood. Kate bought some sandwiches in, but they remained neatly wrapped on the table at the end of the bed.

When the room began to darken Tess stood and walked to the window, she closed her eyes and circled her neck, willing the stiffness to go.

"Tess, you need to go home and have a shower, get some clean clothes," Tom placed his hand on Tess shoulder. She hadn't heard him enter the room, her whole being tied up in thoughts of the man she loved.

"Boss, I'm not leaving till he wakes. I can't! Have we got the bastards that did this yet?" Tess asked.

"PJ's working on it, we'll get them Tess."

"Yeah, I know," Tess said quietly as she was once again left alone.







***

"Haven't you got anything better to do?"

Jo, sitting at her desk, had her head buried in a trashy magazine.

"Making the most of Sergeant Ice Queen's absence," Jo laughed.

"Sergeant Ice Queen? Where the hell did that come from?"

"Before your time mate. But she's been reverting to form in the last few weeks."

"She's never struck me that way, she likes things done by the book, but an ice queen – nah! Must admit she hasn't been very happy lately though? You got any idea why?" Jonesy wondered aloud, sensing that he may get some much needed information from Jo.

"Buggered if I know, she never tells me anything. Come to think of it, I don't know if she has any friends," Jo giggled.

"That's a bit harsh Jo, I like her," Jonesy said in Tess' defence.

"Yeah, well you've made that pretty clear haven't you? I don't know what you see in her, Jack was the same…yes sarg, no sarg, three bags full sarg."

"Jack? He was the one I replaced right? Were they…together?"

"I 'don't' think so – Jack was way too young for Tess. She would never go out with anyone from work." Jo paused for a few moments, "Come to think of it, she once said to me – something about work and romance …it was almost like she had been involved with someone at work. But Jack? Nah – just can't see it."

"Going to get the lunches Jo," Jonesy grabbed his hat from his desk; he needed to get out of the station, needed to think. Jonesy knew Tess would be involved with someone at work, she'd been with him so what would stop her being with another member and the boss had said he thought she was scared of being hurt again.

***

As the lights in the hospital corridors were turned off, Tess was once again plunged into darkness. At least in the dark no one could see how the last few days had affected her. Her skin was pale, her eyes were puffy and bloodshot form crying – she'd always wanted to be a 'pretty crier'.

Tess still sat by his bed holding his hand. She listened to the incessant beeping of the machines that were monitoring his vital signs. She could hear the nurses gossiping in the nurses' station but couldn't quite work out their words. How could life go on for them when the man she loved lay motionless in this bed?

"Evan, you have to wake up, c'mon you're tough – fight it Evan, for me please!" Tess pleaded.

Tess twisted uncomfortably in the hard chair, she wasn't used to sitting for such a long period, her back ached, her neck was stiff. She looked at the narrow bed Jonesy lay on – surely no one would mind, and it would be providing comfort. Tess didn't question whom it would comfort, if she thought about it at all she would have realised they would both derive some sort of benefit from it. If unconscious patients benefited from human voice surely they would garner something from touch. Gingerly Tess climbed onto the bed careful not to disturb anything attached to Jonesy. She curled her body close to his, nestled her head in the hollow just below his shoulder, finally Tess reached across his body with her free arm, resting her hand at his waist. The familiarity bought fresh tears to her eyes, if only he were awake, if only his arms were holding her close, if only he would reach down and plant a soft kiss on the top of her head like he had so many times before.



***



Jonesy dumped the box of lunches on the charge counter, "Tess still not back?" he asked Jo.

"What is it with you and your Sergeant?" Jo questioned.

"Nothing at all, just making an observation," Jonesy was quick to answer. "PJ in?"

"Yeah, got his head buried in the prosecution case for those idiots that hit you."

"Righto, I'll just drop his lunch in then," he said grabbing a sandwich from the box. Before entering PJ's office he stopped at the kitchenette and made them both a cup of coffee.



***





The nurse walked back to the nurses' station motioning for her colleague to follow her.

"What is it, Sarah?"

"Just want you to see something."

They both looked into the room to see Tess, her head still on Jonesy's chest, fast asleep.

"What should we do?" Sarah asked.

"Leave them, if Mel says anything I'll deal with it. She's been sitting there for the last two days. At least now she is sleeping and who knows, this may make the difference to Constable Jones."

***



"Make it quick," came PJ's voice in answer to Jonesy knock at the door.

"Sorry PJ, I need your advice."

"Can it wait? I'm really busy," PJ asked absorbed in what he was doing.

"Nope, if I could ask someone else I would, but I think you're the only one that can help. It's Tess, PJ. Ever since the accident she's been distant, snappy even. Has she said anything to you?"

"You need to talk to Tess, mate."

"Yeah well I have but she won't tell me anything. I need to know how I can make things right again."

"Mate, she sat by your bed the whole time, doesn't that tell you anything?"

"You would think so wouldn't you, but with Tess it's not always that simple," Jonesy shook his head. "I thought I knew how she felt, I thought I heard her say she loved me."

"Ask her about Jack." PJ advised.

"Jack? Jo just said there was nothing between them," Jonesy said totally confused.

"That's all I'm saying – you need to ask Tess?"





***



The morning sun streaming in at the window awoke Tess; she adjusted her eyes to the bright light.

"Hey Sarg, your mask is slipping," Jonesy's voice was barely a whisper.

"You're awake," Tess stammered, her eyes welling with tears.