The next evening, CJ stared at the TV, wondering why the Osbournes felt the need to curse every other word. He sighed, tossing the remote on the bed and picking up the book that Jen had got him from the gift shop. He rolled his eyes at the title, but opened The Feminine Mystique nonetheless.
Jen had left about noon to go home and get some sleep in a real bed. He felt bad about how she had slept in a chair beside his bed all night, but her presence had helped him through the night.
He looked up, happy for the distraction, when the door opened a few minutes later. He smiled brightly at Jen when she entered, carrying a large brown bag and a smaller plastic one.
She grinned, "Enjoying the book?"
"I suppose."
"Awww. Would you have rather had A Calvin and Hobbes Collection?"
"Maybe," CJ said.
She laughed, setting the bags down in a chair. "I'm just broadening your horizons a little."
"Sure..."
She began pulling things out of the bag and setting them up on his tray table. She pulled out a small glass saucer and proceeded to place a white candle on it. She lit the candle with a lighter and smiled at CJ. He smiled back, watching her. "Did you miss me?" She asked, pulling out two red ceramic bowls and placing spoons beside them on the tray table.
"Of course, sweetie," CJ said jokingly.
She stopped what she was doing, her eyes growing wide at his words. "Ummm...that's good to know."
CJ just smiled. It felt good to be able to throw Jen off track.
"How was your afternoon?" Her subject change was obvious, but she didn't care. "Did they make you walk around the halls?"
"Afternoon was good. I was basically allowed to do whatever I wanted."
"Nice." She nodded, pulling out a large thermos and setting the bags to the side.
"So," CJ said looking at the thermos curiously. "What are we having?"
"Well, I asked the nurses what you could have before I left, so we're having chicken noodle soup."
"Chicken noodle?" he whined.
"Everyone likes chicken noodle." She declared.
"Yeah, right."
She frowned, looking down at her hands. "Should I get something else?"
"It's fine," he grumbled. "Since you asked the nurse... I doubt I can have anything else."
"You're grumpy this evening."
"Sorry... I'm just not a big chicken noodle fan."
"I can always go get something from the cafeteria." She threatened.
"No, no, no..." he said, panicking for a moment before realizing that she was joking. "It's just I had reservations tonight. I'm disappointed that we won't get to go."
"Where did you make us reservations at?" She was curious since she thought that they were just going to a regular restaurant.
"Aspasia," CJ said.
"Aspasia?" She repeated, not sure if she'd heard him correctly. She knew the restaurant though she'd never been there. It was supposed to have a nice, intimate atmosphere and an exceptional menu.
"Wow. That's ... that would have been nice, CJ."
"It would've been... and it still can be, just not tonight."
"Are you asking me out on a date?" She asked, wanting to be clear on what he was saying.
"Maybe." He said, looking up from studying his hands to peer at her apprehensively.
"I would love to." She smiled.
"Well then, it's a date," CJ smiled. "Guess I should cancel the reservations for tonight," he added.
She laughed. "That might be a good idea."
As Jen finished setting up their dinner for the evening, CJ called Aspasia to cancel their dinner reservations.
"I'm sorry about the soup," Jen said, sitting cross-legged on the bed across the table from CJ. He was mirroring her position as best he could. "I should have asked what you wanted."
"It's ok Jen. You didn't know, and I didn't say anything. No harm, no foul."
She smiled, glad that he wasn't angry with her. "I've got a surprise for desert."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I hope that you like it."
"What is it?"
"Nope, not going to tell. It's a surprise, remember."
"Okay. I can respect that."
"Good." They ate quickly in silence, draining their bowls. She was grinning at him while he took his last bite.
"What are you grinning at?"
"You. Us. Everything. If you would have told me a few weeks ago that I'd be sitting here with you on Valentine's Day, I wouldn't have believed you."
"I guess things can change... for the better?"
"Yeah. I'm glad that we became friends. I'm even glad you butted into my conversation with Grams that day."
"Thanks, I think."
She smiled. "I'm glad you dropped your 'no dating' rule too."
CJ chuckled. "Who says it's dropped?"
"So, I'm the exception or we just didn't make a date?" She asked, throwing her napkin at him. "You're such a guy."
"Jen, I'm only kidding," he said removing the napkin from his face.
"You're going to have to start telling me when you're joking." She laughed.
"We'll see ..." he said evasively.
She smiled, nodding. "So, are you ready for my desert surprise?" She got up and cleaned off the table, leaving only the candle.
"I guess so."
"You sound oh-so thrilled." She deadpanned.
"Sorry. Not much for surprises either."
"Dully noted for future reference. You know you could have told me this before I left this afternoon."
"Nah. I wanted to see what you'd come up with for a sickly patient like myself."
"Do you still feel bad?" Concern laced her voice and she stopped messing with the bags to look at him.
"I'm ok. Just a little pain here and there; the morphine does great work."
"Are you up for some ice cream?" She asked, waving a pint-size container in front of his face.
"Of course!"
She smiled, "I brought Neopolitan, Rocky Road, and Mocha. I figured that you had to like one of them."
"Hmm... such hard choices," CJ muttered. "I'll take the Mocha, first."
"So I actually brought something that you like? I feel so proud now." She said, sarcastically.
"Jen, anything with caffeine is much appreciated."
"You don't need the caffeine. You need to rest."
"Maybe, but caffeine is still good."
"You make a good point," she said, digging into the Rocky Road.
They finished their ice cream and talked a bit more about their lives and their childhoods. Jen began gathering up the leftover ice cream as CJ yawned.
"I guess I should let you get some rest. I had fun tonight."
"I had fun too. Thanks, Jen."
"Are you going to be okay without me standing guard tonight?" She grinned mischievously at him.
"I suppose so..." he trailed off.
"If you want me to stay, all you have to do is ask."
"I don't want to be a bother. It couldn't have been comfortable for you to have slept in the chair last night."
"You're not a bother, CJ. I'd be happy to stay with you if you'd like. The chair's fine. I think I'm used to it by now." She laughed.
"No. It's okay. I couldn't ask you to do that again."
"Stop being a guy and say, 'Jen, would you stay with me tonight,'" she put her hands on her hips and waited for him to speak.
"Jen," he began, "would you stay with me tonight?"
She looked toward the ceiling, biting the inside of her cheek and making a show of trying to come to a decision. "I guess I could do that." She laughed, dodging the pillow that came flying toward her.
She tossed the pillow back at him, threw the ice cream and trash away and moved back to her familiar chair.
CJ slid down to lie in the bed, propped up by two pillows. He yawned again, watching Jen settle into her chair. Making a decision, he reached out and waited for her to take his hand.
She didn't hesitate, thinking that he just wanted to hold her hand. She was startled when he pulled her forward, out of the chair and toward his bed. "CJ? What are you doing?"
"The chair looks uncomfortable." He said, scooting over to the edge of the bed.
"Ummm, are you sure about this?"
"Look, I feel bad about keeping you here when all you have to sleep on is that chair. I'm tired and you're tired and I want you to get some sleep tonight." She nodded her agreement with his words. "Are you okay with this?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah. This is fine." She said, grabbing her blanket from the chair and curling up to his left side, resting her head in the crook of his neck and placing her hand on his chest. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No, you're fine." He mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"Good night, CJ." She whispered, looking up to see that his eyes were already closed.
"Good night, Jen." He breathed, slipping into sleep.
She lay beside him for a long time, thinking about how far they had come in the past two days. They had a lot more in common than they thought and she was happy that they could relate on so many levels. He had surprised her tonight, but it was a good surprise. She felt like she fit perfectly in his arms, like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Nuzzling his neck, she smiled and drifted into dreamland.
~~! The End !~~
Authors' Note: The Evil Sisters would like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed the story. It is important to remind everyone that neither Jensen nor CJ or any of the characters were actually hurt in any way during the making of this story. The Evil Sisters hope that you've enjoyed it. And if you would like more, please do leave them a note, so they'll feel encouraged enough to post again. ;)