CHAPTER THREE
Disclaimer: I don't own or make money off these characters.
Rating: PG-13
A BUMP IN THE NIGHT
After stopping at the pharmacy for his medicine and her apartment to get some clothes and other sundries, Jordan finally got Garret home. He had been coughing and shivering in the car, so she was getting a little worried about him. Still, he asked her a million questions on the ride home. When did they meet, who else he should know about, why did he get divorced, what was Abby like? He seemed like a sponge that couldn't soak up enough information. Finally, after seeing him close his eyes and wince in pain, Jordan ordered him to shut up. He was almost asleep when she pulled in the driveway and she turned off the car. She helped him out and into the house where they went into the bedroom. Garret didn't fuss when she pulled of his shoes and socks. He curled up on the bed as she draped the covers over him, turned out the light and crept quietly from the room.
Jordan went into the living room and turned on the gas fireplace. The warm glow of the fire was peaceful, so she didn't turn on any lights. She wanted to think. 'What is going on here?' she asked herself. A day ago no one could have ever told her that she had romantic feelings for her best friend. She had almost convinced herself that she would like to get closer to Woody, but something always stopped her from doing that. Others were wont to tell her that she had a fear of commitment and that was why she held back from him. But, deep in some part of herself, Jordan knew that was not the reason. She and Woody had never connected on some levels. Levels that had to do with hope, justice, emotional pain, and suffering. He couldn't seem to see the part of her that would always be vulnerable, that would forever keep her on the verge of tears. Woody wanted her to eventually just "get over it." Jordan knew that it would always be a part of her. And, she knew Garret shared those same feelings. He often saw her pain, identified with it even, and accepted it as a part of her. She did love him very much. But, was there something else that she was missing? Something maybe that could give her the kind of happiness that she did long for?
She thought for awhile about that. He was so understanding, and she understood him. The two of them could finish each other's sentences they were so in tune. He was deep, had lots of emotional baggage, open-minded, kind, and gentle. Yet, he was also very masculine, and she loved to hold him and often sought reassurance in his arms. Sometimes when he was holding her, she felt so protected and safe. When she had a problem, he was the first person she went to. They had become friends first because he had been married. After that ended in a divorce, she was already involved in other relationships. Then he met Renee and that had ended badly. Meanwhile, she was looking. Guys sort of passed into and out of her life, and there was always Woody. But, if Woody left, she didn't think it would bother her terribly. If Garret left, she knew she would be devastated. Was she somehow stopping herself from taking a step closer to him?
Jordan sighed. For a moment she envied Garret, who couldn't remember how long they had been just friends. He could act on his feelings now, without hesitation, because he didn't know what he might be losing. 'That's it!" Jordan realized that was exactly why she was worried about trying something else with Garret. If it didn't work out, their friendship might be ruined. "If you never try....you'll never know." She remembered her father's words from long ago. Maybe it's time to try she thought to herself.
"Jordan?" A disheveled Garret stood behind her in the firelight. He had taken off his scrub shirt and his skin glowed with a fine sheen of sweat.
"I'm so hot......." he put a hand up to his head and then coughed loudly. She jumped up from the couch and went to him. One touch on his forehead told her he had a fever.
"Come on, honey, let's get you back to bed." She took his arm and led him back into the bedroom. She grabbed a towel and thermometer from the bathroom on the way. Once he was settled back in bed, she took his temperature and began to rub the towel gently over him to soak up some of the sweat. Garret sighed and closed his eyes. Jordan wiped his head and neck before she moved down to his chest and stomach. She couldn't help but notice that he had not let himself go like some men his age. He still had firm muscles covered with a thin coat of fine, soft hair. He wasn't muscle- bound at all, but she liked what she saw, realizing that, if she let herself, she could definitely find him attractive. Despite his being sick, she let her eyes move lower on his body, wondering what she might see there.
The thermometer dinged, reminding her of why she was here. To take care of him, not to have sex with him. He opened his eyes at the beeping and she smiled at him. Looking at the reading she frowned.
"One-hundred four. You are indeed HOT!" Jordan got up from the side of the bed and went to the bathroom where she found Tylenol and got a glass of water. Returning to the room, Garret sat up as she offered him the pills. He put them in his mouth and took the glass from Jordan and washed them down.
"Thanks." He tried a little smile, but she knew he was still in pain. She sat down on the bed and took his hand, holding it between her own.
"Those should go to work in a little bit." She smiled at him. His dark eyes were glowing, partly from the fever, but she also felt the warmth in them for her.
"Sit with me for awhile?" He asked shyly.
"As long as you want, Gar." Jordan picked up the towel and went into the bathroom where she found a washcloth. She wet it in cool water and then wrung it out. She returned to the bed and sat down. Gently, she wiped his fevered brow and then moved the cloth around to his neck and shoulders. Garret sighed in approval.
"That feels good." He smiled a real smile at her, and she knew what she was doing was making him feel better. Somehow his hand found a way to the side of her face and he cupped her chin.
"You're beautiful." he said softly. Jordan watched his eyes and then put her hand up to cover his, enjoying the feel of his skin on hers. She closed her eyes and soaked up the moment. Then, as much as she wanted it to go on forever, she knew it could not, and she ran her hand softly down his arm and pulled his hand from her face.
"You need to rest." She told him calmly. But, he wasn't going to give up yet.
"Just one kiss." His brows went up in a questioning look, and Jordan grinned at his persistence. Leaning forward, she gently placed her lips on his forehead, kissing him where she had so many times before. His hand went to the back of her neck, pulling her head lower, and for the first time, she felt her lips on his. They were soft, and warm. He tasted good too. Jordan felt the kiss all the way down to her toes, and she groaned softly as it came to an end. She cupped his face again and looked into his eyes. Her own strong reaction to the kiss was reflected in his. He had liked it too. She smiled.
"Listen, Romeo," she told him, "Don't go starting what you can't finish, just yet."
"Does that mean when I'm better I can start it again?" He responded. Jordan got up and went to the bedroom door.
"Maybe that's for me to know, and you to find out." She teased him as she walked out and closed the door. Garret relaxed into very pleasant dreams.
Outside in the hall, Jordan leaned back into the wall and sighed. What she'd felt when they'd kissed had felt nothing like friendship!
TBC..........