CHAPTER FIVE

A BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Jordan gently opened the door, trying not to make any noise. Garret was stretched out on his back in the bed. His left arm was tucked up under the pillow, and his right hand rested on his chest. She could tell by his breathing that he was asleep. As she stood and watched him she felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She reached down and quietly removed her shoes, and then she walked over to the bed and lay down beside him. Snuggling up, she carefully moved his hand and arm so that she could lay her head on his chest. He muttered something under his breath, but didn't appear to wake up. Jordan lay her arm over his taut stomach and closed her eyes. She let her other senses take over as she listened to his breathing and strong heartbeat. He smelled of soap and fabric softener, she knew he didn't wear cologne. A feeling of peace settled over her as she closed her eyes and gave in to sleep.

He was alone. Alone in an alley, and it was raining. He'd probably had a little too much to drink, and wanted to get to the street to hail a cab and go home. Accidentally, he had gone out the back door of the bar which was crowded, so he turned to head around the building toward the street and home. Something, he heard something, and then..........PAIN. It enveloped him like a fog, he couldn't see, or move, and he heard the echo of a voice, probably his, crying out in pain. He felt hands on him, prodding at his body, pulling at his pockets. 'Mugged,' he thought. 'I'm being mugged.' Suddenly, he sat up, crying out in pain and anger.

Jordan sat up in alarm as Garret, sweat-drenched and wild eyed, backed away from her on the bed. His eyes couldn't seem to focus as he looked about in bewilderment.

"Garret," she said softly. "It's okay, it was just a dream, Honey. It's okay, I'm here." She had never felt so protective, so concerned for someone before. It was if she had to ease his fear and pain. Normally, she would have run from such a responsibility, but here, tonight, she wanted only to hold him and somehow make it better.

He finally focused enough to realize where he was, and stopped moving about. Jordan took the moment to slide next to him and she put her arms around him tightly. Garret swallowed a few times and then rubbed his forehead.

"I think I'm remembering what happened to me." He said a little shakily.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jordan asked as she pulled his head down on her shoulder. He fought her at first, but then relaxed.

"I got mugged." He said simply. "I never even saw them, or him, coming. I don't know who did it.................but, I remember things now. I remember you and the others. And working at the M.E.'s office." He rubbed his head again. "I guess all that remembering has given me a killer headache."

Jordan got off the bed and went to the bathroom. She returned in a moment with some pain pills and a glass of water. Garret took them thankfully and lay back on the pillows, closing his eyes. Jordan sat next to him, wondering how his new memories would effect what had happened between them. She must have been staring at him quite intently, because when he opened his eyes, he asked, "What?"

"I.......I just wondered what you were thinking." She responded lamely.

"About?" Garret asked, and then answered himself, "World peace, new medical discoveries, crime, muggers.............us?" His dark eyes sparkled at the last topic. She blushed.

"About us, yes. Garret, I have been happy the last two days. I want "us" to be a possibility at least. I know we've always been just friends, but I want to know if we can have more, and I promise you, whatever happens, we will always remain friends." She paused to let him respond."

"You and Woody, Jordan. What about that?" Garret replied seriously. "I don't want to be the one to come between you two."

"Me and Woody has not happened, Gar. I don't think it ever will. We are two very different people and...............he just makes me work to hard!" She explained.

"And I don't?" Garret was incredulous. Jordan shook her head.

"That's not what I meant." She said. "When I'm with you, I can just be me. I don't have to try things I don't like, and I don't have to think about what I say all the time." Garret still looked unconvinced, so she went on. "You understand me. You can finish my sentences. And..........you know instinctively how I feel, Garret. I never could see it before, but I think I've kept you as just a friend all these years only because I knew that letting you get close to me physically would blow my cover completely. I'd start caring about you, loving you. And that was a very scary thought for me."

"Me too." Garret said only two words, but she reeled at their import. He had been doing the same thing as she. Fear of intimacy had kept them apart.

"I want to get past that." Jordan said as she picked up his hand and held it against her cheek. She looked into his eyes and saw the love there. The same love that she felt in her heart for this man. Garret sighed and pulled her forward for gentle, sweet kiss.

"I want to take you out."

Jordan looked startled. "You've taken me out a million times!" He smiled and held her hand.

"Yes, as your 'bestest girlfriend.' I want to take you out as a boyfriend." Garret said firmly. Jordan looked him over and lifted an eyebrow.

"You sure you got the equipment for that?" She taunted him.

"Go home and get dressed in your sexiest black dress." Garret told her. "As for my 'equipment,' well, if you're very good, you might get to try it out." He grinned devilishly as he got up and pulled her to her feet and against him.

"See you at eight." He told her as he ran his large hands down her back to her bottom where he squeezed gently. "I'm looking forward to checking out your 'equipment' too."

Jordan wasted no time getting her things and driving home. Normally, she would have been tired after two days out of her routine, but tonight she was almost giddy. She felt like a kid on a first date with the boy she had idolized. 'This is going to be fun!'

She hadn't been home more than an hour when the doorbell rang. 'Too early for Garret.' She thought. When she looked out the peephole to see who was there, her heart fell. Standing on the other side of the door was Detective Woody Hayes.

TBC...................