I hope there are some people out there still reading this, and to you guys,
sorry I haven't posted for a while. I would really appreciate hearing from
you, if you are reading this.please?
CHAPTER 16
As she was leaving for the hospital the next day, her phone rang, and it was her mother, all upset because she had rung Rachel at work, to be told she was at home.
"It's all right, Mom, I'm having a fortnight off," said Rachel,
"Oh good, when will you be home?' came her mother's next question, "Tomorrow or the next day? We will love having you back."
"Um - I can't make it home this time," said Rachel, "I have plans, but I will be home soon, I promise."
"Is there anything wrong? I mean, its not like you to take time off darling, are you feeling all right? I am sure you work too hard, besides Rachel, it's your brother's birthday next Saturday week, and we did so want you to be here, Sharon is giving him a party, just a relatives thing, but you are missing out on seeing how much the baby has grown. Are you sure you couldn't make it home, just for next weekend?"
Rachel smiled at the pleading note in her mother's voice. "I'll try, Mom, I really will. I may bring someone with me - would that be all right?"
"Who, who would you bring? Have you got a boyfriend at last? What's he like?"
This time Rachel laughed. "He's a work colleague, Mom, and not a 'boyfriend' I'm a bit too old for boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. He's just a friend, who will be staying with me for a while when he gets out of hospital later this week. He was shot a couple of days ago, long story, and we don't want to leave him on his own when they let him out. I was elected by the rest of the work team to be the one that babysits."
She felt a little bad not telling her mother the truth, but her feelings were still too new and she needed to talk to John a lot more before telling anyone about them. Besides, she had determined he would have to come to stay with her anyway, she couldn't let him go home alone.
"Oh well, give me a ring," said her mother, sounding disappointed, "Let me know closer to the day, whether you will be coming, alone or with your friend. Jeff will be disappointed if you don't come." And she hung up.
Rachel looked around her apartment, it was much bigger than John's, she had two spare bedrooms, there was plenty of room for him. She would suggest it to him, and see what he said.
When she got to the hospital, Bailey was standing at the nurse's station, talking to one of the doctors. He smiled at her as she joined them.
"I was just asking about John," he informed her, as the doctor finished reading the chart in his hand.
"I am very pleased at the progress he has made," he said, "He was obviously very fit before all this happened. However," he went on to say, and Rachel's heart sank. "Because it was so long before he got medical attention, we are quite concerned about infection, and his temperature is fluctuating, so we will be leaving the drip in for another 24 hours, and keep pumping antibiotics into him regularly. Also, he lost a lot of blood, so even though we replaced it, he's still very weak. But on the whole, a lot better that I expected at this time." And he finished on a positive note, smiling at them both, before turning away.
"Did my replacement arrive," she asked as they walked towards John's room.
"Yes, and said to say hello," smiled Bailey, "He said you were good friends. His name is Gary Locke and he said you trained together."
"Oh Gary, yes we did," she said, "I'll call in later and catch up with him."
John was sitting up, propped up by numerous pillows, watching the television. He had had a wash, and had managed to have a shave, and looked much better. However, he looked at them grumpily, complaining that he was not allowed out of bed for another 24 hours, and that daytime television was shocking.
Rachel laughed at his miserable expression, and took the remote out of his hand. "Well you don't have to watch it," she said, "You could read."
"I don't have a book," he said, "And they won't let me go to the shop and buy one!" and sounded so much like a small boy, that Bailey hid his smile.
"Just thought I'd let you know the Landers woman will be appearing in court tomorrow, and Peter Kolawski will be coming by to get your statement."
John nodded, "I really don't remember much," he said, "But I'll try. I don't particularly want to see her again."
Bailey stayed for a few more minutes, then left, and Rachel sat on the bed, and leaned over to kiss John properly, for the first time. She stayed close to him, savoring the feel of his mouth on hers, feeling the excitement and longing rush through her veins. He was breathing faster, when she pulled away from him.
"I'm not going to fast for you?" she asked slowly, "Are you sure that this is what you want?"
"This is what I want," he said breathlessly, and kissed her again. "I've wanted it for a long, long time."
After a long while, she sat up straight, and sighed. "You had better rest, I'll get into trouble for exhausting you." And she put both hands on his chest, and pushed him back onto the pillows.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," he said, throwing off the covers, and attempting to swing his legs over the side of the bed.
"Are you allowed to walk?" asked Rachel anxiously, "Do you want me to call a nurse?" "You could help me a little maybe. I'll be all right, if I lie here much longer I'll start growing to the bed."
He wouldn't admit to her how exhausted he was by the time he was back in bed, but she could see how pale he became.
"Last week, I played a three hour squash game, flat out, with Nate," he said, "Now I can't even walk to the bathroom, less than 10 feet away and back, without thinking I'm going to pass out."
"It was your first time on your feet," Rachel replied, "And you weren't even supposed to do that. The doctor will kill me for allowing it."
"Well, if I don't start moving, it will be worse!" he muttered, "And boy I don't want to use one of those bottle things ever again!"
Rachel laughed at his expression. "Do you want to put on a tee shirt?" she asked, "Cause probably some of the guys from work will call in to see you later, and although I think you look really sexy in boxer shorts, it wouldn't be good for Sarah to see you like that."
"I was going to wait until they took out the drip, and why would it upset Sarah?" he asked, glancing down in surprise at his naked chest.
"Oh it wouldn't upset her, don't worry," replied Rachel, going to the cupboard. "But I think it would be a good idea. She's losing enough sleep over you as it is."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, as she came back with a plain white tee shirt, and started feeding the i.v. bag though one sleeve.
"Oh don't tell me you are not aware of the crush she has on you."
"Honestly no, does she?" he asked, lifting one eyebrow and looking pleased. Rachel took hold of his left hand and pushed it through the sleeve, after the drip line, and then pulled it over his head.
"Yes, and don't let on you know, she's a sweetie and will be embarrassed."
"I think you're pulling my leg," he said, shoving his other arm in the shirt, and pulling it down over his lean torso. Rachel stood back and looked at him. "I won't say any more on the subject, and pander to your vanity," she said with a smile, thinking how handsome he was, even with his hair messed up, and his face pale.
"I'm not vain," he said indignantly, and then "Does she really have a crush? On me?"
"You are vain," she answered, smiling at him, "And yes, she does, and so do I."
He smiled back up at her, and she sat on the bed as near as she could, and he closed his eyes and sighed in a contented fashion.
"Doctor Lewis said if your temperature stays normal, and you can sort of walk without too much trouble, and if you start eating properly, you could probably go home the day after tomorrow," she said after a little while. He opened one eye and smiled.
"Good, although truth be told, I'm not very hungry."
"But you can't be on your own." She added, ignoring his words. "You are coming to stay with me for a while."
He opened both eyes, and levered himself up on the pillows. "Your place?' he said softly. "Is that what you want?"
"It's that or stay here for another week or so," she said, and then added hesitantly "But you can have the spare room, if you want to."
"If I want to?" Blue eyes looked intensely into green.
"Or share mine," she said, with a slight blush. "Its up to you."
"Well gee let me think for a moment .." He said, with a smile playing around his lips. She punched his shoulder, but then said seriously, "It is your decision, I won't push you, but you really do need to have someone around for a while."
"Rachel, if I told you how much I want to share your life, and particularly your bed, you wouldn't believe me."
She lent forward and kissed him gently. "There will be complications. I have a very large and very demanding family, who believe it's their God given right to stick their noses into my life, to drop in at any time and generally interfere whenever they feel like it. I have never had a serious relationship - with anybody, I want you to know that right from the start. So if you can cope with curious brothers even more curious sister in laws, and nosey parents and someone who is scared of commitment, then we should be all right. Or am I moving way too fast for you?"
John raised both eyebrows. "Your family sounds great. I hope they like me. I have had several relationships, none that have lasted more than 12 months or so. I have feelings for you Rachel, I guess we can only go from there. And you know how screwed my family is!"
She looked deeply into his eyes, and smiled. "Love me?" she looked down at their hands, clasped together, "I really hope you do, because I think I'm in love with you too, and it scares me."
"It terrifies me!" he answered, "I wonder what they'll say at work?"
"Most of them know," she said with a wry laugh. "Grace told me yesterday they were all waiting for the penny to drop. They think our little arguments at work have been all about us fighting our attraction to each other."
"Well," he said "Its nice to know we are being talked about! What other sort of things do you and Grace discuss?"
Rachel laughed and shook her head, and at that moment the lawyer from their department knocked on the door and then came in to take John's deposition, followed shortly by a group of colleagues from work, who all came piling in carrying chocolates and flowers. Rachel moved away from John's side, and started arranging flowers in vases. Sarah came over to her, speaking softly.
"What a shock we all got," she said, "When we heard what had happened. Gosh, John looks so pale - so ill.."
"He looks so much better than he did a couple of days ago," said Rachel. "He nearly died, Sarah, he just looks wonderful to me as long as he's breathing."
Nathan, who was one of John's best friends, also came over to Rachel's side, and overhearing her last comment, took her hand and looked into her eyes. "It was scary, when we heard," he said, "But it must have been worse for you. Are you all right?"
She nodded, "It made me realize some things," she said, "It made us both face some things."
Nathan smiled "I'm glad, it's about time" he said, "We won't stay too long," and moved back to John's side.
"So I guess this means you won't be playing squash Monday night?" he asked, as he gave John a gentle punch on his arm. "Getting scared to face me are you?"
John laughed up at him. "Give me a week or two, and I'll be ready," he said.
George appeared in the doorway, and walked over to speak to Nathan. He and John had both worked with Nathan, before he left the VCTF and went upstairs to the law department, and Rachel knew that Nathan and John were very close, having both saved each other's lives several times.
Sarah came and linked arms with Rachel, and they both stood back, watching the men telling jokes and paying one another out.
"Let's get a drink, and have a chat," she suggested, and they left the room and headed down stairs to the hospital shop.
" So you two are . um, a couple?" she asked, as they found a table and sat down. Rachel nodded.
"Well we could all see it happening," Sarah went on to say. "Lucky thing, even pale and washout looking, he is gorgeous."
Rachel smiled "Strangely enough, it's not his looks, that I am interested in. In fact, they worked against him as far as I am concerned."
Sarah looked at her as if she had suddenly grown another head. "Well you'd be way out there on your own sister," she said, and Rachel laughed.
"Well I don't want to be part of a couple that people look at and say, wow what does he see in her!"
Sarah laughed at her, "Rachel, you are beautiful, and you know it." But Rachel shook her head, and looked down at her hands.
"For years I've been teased about my red hair, freckles and temper. I know I'm all right, but not beautiful."
"Well you are," said Sarah, "and I bet John thinks so too."
Rachel smiled, "All I know is that suddenly, this feels so right! So, what else is happening, I feel so out of touch with everything," and bent forward to listen to the office gossip.
CHAPTER 16
As she was leaving for the hospital the next day, her phone rang, and it was her mother, all upset because she had rung Rachel at work, to be told she was at home.
"It's all right, Mom, I'm having a fortnight off," said Rachel,
"Oh good, when will you be home?' came her mother's next question, "Tomorrow or the next day? We will love having you back."
"Um - I can't make it home this time," said Rachel, "I have plans, but I will be home soon, I promise."
"Is there anything wrong? I mean, its not like you to take time off darling, are you feeling all right? I am sure you work too hard, besides Rachel, it's your brother's birthday next Saturday week, and we did so want you to be here, Sharon is giving him a party, just a relatives thing, but you are missing out on seeing how much the baby has grown. Are you sure you couldn't make it home, just for next weekend?"
Rachel smiled at the pleading note in her mother's voice. "I'll try, Mom, I really will. I may bring someone with me - would that be all right?"
"Who, who would you bring? Have you got a boyfriend at last? What's he like?"
This time Rachel laughed. "He's a work colleague, Mom, and not a 'boyfriend' I'm a bit too old for boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. He's just a friend, who will be staying with me for a while when he gets out of hospital later this week. He was shot a couple of days ago, long story, and we don't want to leave him on his own when they let him out. I was elected by the rest of the work team to be the one that babysits."
She felt a little bad not telling her mother the truth, but her feelings were still too new and she needed to talk to John a lot more before telling anyone about them. Besides, she had determined he would have to come to stay with her anyway, she couldn't let him go home alone.
"Oh well, give me a ring," said her mother, sounding disappointed, "Let me know closer to the day, whether you will be coming, alone or with your friend. Jeff will be disappointed if you don't come." And she hung up.
Rachel looked around her apartment, it was much bigger than John's, she had two spare bedrooms, there was plenty of room for him. She would suggest it to him, and see what he said.
When she got to the hospital, Bailey was standing at the nurse's station, talking to one of the doctors. He smiled at her as she joined them.
"I was just asking about John," he informed her, as the doctor finished reading the chart in his hand.
"I am very pleased at the progress he has made," he said, "He was obviously very fit before all this happened. However," he went on to say, and Rachel's heart sank. "Because it was so long before he got medical attention, we are quite concerned about infection, and his temperature is fluctuating, so we will be leaving the drip in for another 24 hours, and keep pumping antibiotics into him regularly. Also, he lost a lot of blood, so even though we replaced it, he's still very weak. But on the whole, a lot better that I expected at this time." And he finished on a positive note, smiling at them both, before turning away.
"Did my replacement arrive," she asked as they walked towards John's room.
"Yes, and said to say hello," smiled Bailey, "He said you were good friends. His name is Gary Locke and he said you trained together."
"Oh Gary, yes we did," she said, "I'll call in later and catch up with him."
John was sitting up, propped up by numerous pillows, watching the television. He had had a wash, and had managed to have a shave, and looked much better. However, he looked at them grumpily, complaining that he was not allowed out of bed for another 24 hours, and that daytime television was shocking.
Rachel laughed at his miserable expression, and took the remote out of his hand. "Well you don't have to watch it," she said, "You could read."
"I don't have a book," he said, "And they won't let me go to the shop and buy one!" and sounded so much like a small boy, that Bailey hid his smile.
"Just thought I'd let you know the Landers woman will be appearing in court tomorrow, and Peter Kolawski will be coming by to get your statement."
John nodded, "I really don't remember much," he said, "But I'll try. I don't particularly want to see her again."
Bailey stayed for a few more minutes, then left, and Rachel sat on the bed, and leaned over to kiss John properly, for the first time. She stayed close to him, savoring the feel of his mouth on hers, feeling the excitement and longing rush through her veins. He was breathing faster, when she pulled away from him.
"I'm not going to fast for you?" she asked slowly, "Are you sure that this is what you want?"
"This is what I want," he said breathlessly, and kissed her again. "I've wanted it for a long, long time."
After a long while, she sat up straight, and sighed. "You had better rest, I'll get into trouble for exhausting you." And she put both hands on his chest, and pushed him back onto the pillows.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom," he said, throwing off the covers, and attempting to swing his legs over the side of the bed.
"Are you allowed to walk?" asked Rachel anxiously, "Do you want me to call a nurse?" "You could help me a little maybe. I'll be all right, if I lie here much longer I'll start growing to the bed."
He wouldn't admit to her how exhausted he was by the time he was back in bed, but she could see how pale he became.
"Last week, I played a three hour squash game, flat out, with Nate," he said, "Now I can't even walk to the bathroom, less than 10 feet away and back, without thinking I'm going to pass out."
"It was your first time on your feet," Rachel replied, "And you weren't even supposed to do that. The doctor will kill me for allowing it."
"Well, if I don't start moving, it will be worse!" he muttered, "And boy I don't want to use one of those bottle things ever again!"
Rachel laughed at his expression. "Do you want to put on a tee shirt?" she asked, "Cause probably some of the guys from work will call in to see you later, and although I think you look really sexy in boxer shorts, it wouldn't be good for Sarah to see you like that."
"I was going to wait until they took out the drip, and why would it upset Sarah?" he asked, glancing down in surprise at his naked chest.
"Oh it wouldn't upset her, don't worry," replied Rachel, going to the cupboard. "But I think it would be a good idea. She's losing enough sleep over you as it is."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, as she came back with a plain white tee shirt, and started feeding the i.v. bag though one sleeve.
"Oh don't tell me you are not aware of the crush she has on you."
"Honestly no, does she?" he asked, lifting one eyebrow and looking pleased. Rachel took hold of his left hand and pushed it through the sleeve, after the drip line, and then pulled it over his head.
"Yes, and don't let on you know, she's a sweetie and will be embarrassed."
"I think you're pulling my leg," he said, shoving his other arm in the shirt, and pulling it down over his lean torso. Rachel stood back and looked at him. "I won't say any more on the subject, and pander to your vanity," she said with a smile, thinking how handsome he was, even with his hair messed up, and his face pale.
"I'm not vain," he said indignantly, and then "Does she really have a crush? On me?"
"You are vain," she answered, smiling at him, "And yes, she does, and so do I."
He smiled back up at her, and she sat on the bed as near as she could, and he closed his eyes and sighed in a contented fashion.
"Doctor Lewis said if your temperature stays normal, and you can sort of walk without too much trouble, and if you start eating properly, you could probably go home the day after tomorrow," she said after a little while. He opened one eye and smiled.
"Good, although truth be told, I'm not very hungry."
"But you can't be on your own." She added, ignoring his words. "You are coming to stay with me for a while."
He opened both eyes, and levered himself up on the pillows. "Your place?' he said softly. "Is that what you want?"
"It's that or stay here for another week or so," she said, and then added hesitantly "But you can have the spare room, if you want to."
"If I want to?" Blue eyes looked intensely into green.
"Or share mine," she said, with a slight blush. "Its up to you."
"Well gee let me think for a moment .." He said, with a smile playing around his lips. She punched his shoulder, but then said seriously, "It is your decision, I won't push you, but you really do need to have someone around for a while."
"Rachel, if I told you how much I want to share your life, and particularly your bed, you wouldn't believe me."
She lent forward and kissed him gently. "There will be complications. I have a very large and very demanding family, who believe it's their God given right to stick their noses into my life, to drop in at any time and generally interfere whenever they feel like it. I have never had a serious relationship - with anybody, I want you to know that right from the start. So if you can cope with curious brothers even more curious sister in laws, and nosey parents and someone who is scared of commitment, then we should be all right. Or am I moving way too fast for you?"
John raised both eyebrows. "Your family sounds great. I hope they like me. I have had several relationships, none that have lasted more than 12 months or so. I have feelings for you Rachel, I guess we can only go from there. And you know how screwed my family is!"
She looked deeply into his eyes, and smiled. "Love me?" she looked down at their hands, clasped together, "I really hope you do, because I think I'm in love with you too, and it scares me."
"It terrifies me!" he answered, "I wonder what they'll say at work?"
"Most of them know," she said with a wry laugh. "Grace told me yesterday they were all waiting for the penny to drop. They think our little arguments at work have been all about us fighting our attraction to each other."
"Well," he said "Its nice to know we are being talked about! What other sort of things do you and Grace discuss?"
Rachel laughed and shook her head, and at that moment the lawyer from their department knocked on the door and then came in to take John's deposition, followed shortly by a group of colleagues from work, who all came piling in carrying chocolates and flowers. Rachel moved away from John's side, and started arranging flowers in vases. Sarah came over to her, speaking softly.
"What a shock we all got," she said, "When we heard what had happened. Gosh, John looks so pale - so ill.."
"He looks so much better than he did a couple of days ago," said Rachel. "He nearly died, Sarah, he just looks wonderful to me as long as he's breathing."
Nathan, who was one of John's best friends, also came over to Rachel's side, and overhearing her last comment, took her hand and looked into her eyes. "It was scary, when we heard," he said, "But it must have been worse for you. Are you all right?"
She nodded, "It made me realize some things," she said, "It made us both face some things."
Nathan smiled "I'm glad, it's about time" he said, "We won't stay too long," and moved back to John's side.
"So I guess this means you won't be playing squash Monday night?" he asked, as he gave John a gentle punch on his arm. "Getting scared to face me are you?"
John laughed up at him. "Give me a week or two, and I'll be ready," he said.
George appeared in the doorway, and walked over to speak to Nathan. He and John had both worked with Nathan, before he left the VCTF and went upstairs to the law department, and Rachel knew that Nathan and John were very close, having both saved each other's lives several times.
Sarah came and linked arms with Rachel, and they both stood back, watching the men telling jokes and paying one another out.
"Let's get a drink, and have a chat," she suggested, and they left the room and headed down stairs to the hospital shop.
" So you two are . um, a couple?" she asked, as they found a table and sat down. Rachel nodded.
"Well we could all see it happening," Sarah went on to say. "Lucky thing, even pale and washout looking, he is gorgeous."
Rachel smiled "Strangely enough, it's not his looks, that I am interested in. In fact, they worked against him as far as I am concerned."
Sarah looked at her as if she had suddenly grown another head. "Well you'd be way out there on your own sister," she said, and Rachel laughed.
"Well I don't want to be part of a couple that people look at and say, wow what does he see in her!"
Sarah laughed at her, "Rachel, you are beautiful, and you know it." But Rachel shook her head, and looked down at her hands.
"For years I've been teased about my red hair, freckles and temper. I know I'm all right, but not beautiful."
"Well you are," said Sarah, "and I bet John thinks so too."
Rachel smiled, "All I know is that suddenly, this feels so right! So, what else is happening, I feel so out of touch with everything," and bent forward to listen to the office gossip.