Snapshots of a Love Affair

by Olivia Sutton

Part 4

Two years later, Jeff and Marty are 21

"Mr. Randall? Mr. Randall, Care to add to the discussion?"

"Wha... I'm sorry, Professor Houseman, What was the question?"

"Mr. Randall, this is an advanced seminar in family law, I expect my students to pay attention - to each other as well as me."

"I'm sorry, um..." Jeff looked sheepish, then turned to the students across from him at the table, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to daydream, really."

The professor nodded, "Well, don't let it happen again, Jeff. I know you're a good student, and you're usually better prepared than this, how about if you discuss the next case history?"

Jeff nodded, and glanced at his notes on the table, then stood up and began to recite his discussion of the law case he had prepared.

Halfway through Jeff's recitation, the door to the seminar room opened, and a flustered department secretary entered the room. Jeff stopped speaking, and the professor stood and glared at the secretary.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I have an urgent message for one of your students," said the secretary, waving a pink square of paper.

"Well, couldn't it wait? This is a pro-seminar, Alice!"

"I know, but it is urgent! There's been an accident, and..."

Jeff's heart leapt at her words, but he tried to re-assure himself that just because there was an accident, didn't mean that Marty was involved - there were seven other students in the class, and their law professor.

"All right, Alice, go ahead," said Professor Houseman.

Alice walked to Jeff and handed him the message slip. Jeff froze, then took it, scanning it quickly. Skipping the information on top that he knew was merely his own name and the time, Jeff looked at the message:

Marty Hopkirk in road accident, have next-of-kin contact London General Casualty department, asap.

Jeff stared at the message, then he started to shake, he tried to stand and found himself stumbling, and grabbing for the conference table.

Professor Houseman looked at Jeff's white face, "Go. Whatever's happened - go! We'll meet later to go over your case and review this seminar, Mr. Randall."

Jeff nodded, "Tha..." his voice cracked, and he swallowed, "Thank you, Professor Houseman...it's, a close friend's been in a car accident, sir, I..."

"Don't bother explaining, Mr. Randall, just go!"

Jeff nodded, needing no more encouragement. He rushed out of the classroom, out of the department, down the stairs, and to his car. Jeff shoved the pink message paper into his pocket, found his car keys and started to drive. He forced himself not to think, to not worry or make assumptions, and drove as fast as he could to the hospital, swerving around traffic, and taking more risks than he normally did when he drove.

Jeff rushed into the Casualty department of London General Hospital, and practically ran to the information desk, shouting out Marty's name in a burst of breath.

"Sir, Calm down, Now how can I help you?"

Jeff struggled to control his breathing, taking a few deep breaths, "Marty...Martin Hopkirk, he's been in an accident, I received a message..."

The sister nodded, "Your name?"

"Jeff, Jeff Randall, look we're... I am listed as his..." Jeff stopped, needing to breath again.

The sister was starting to respond, when Jeff heard a familiar-sounding voice and turned around. Marty stood in a doorway near the admittance desk. He had a bandage on his forehead over his left eye, and a cast on his leg, and balanced on crutches, but he looked all right.

Jeff saw his lover, and flew to him, "Marty!"

"I'm fine, Jeff," said Marty, holding him away a bit, "Crutches... come on, I've had a rough day."

Jeff looked Marty over critically, seeing spots of blood on his shirt, no jacket or tie, and ripped trousers, "Yah, looks like it. What happened?"

"I'll tell you later, but can you please get me out of here. I've been here for... all day, Jeff. I want to go home," Marty put his hand on Jeff's arm, then added, "With you."

Jeff nodded, then carefully touched Marty's shoulder, "I... the message they gave me... Marty, I..."

Marty took his own hand, and softly touched Jeff's lips, then put his hand away, "Shush, Jeff... wait until we're home. Just let me sign myself out of here, okay?"

Jeff nodded again, then assisted Marty over to the nurse's station. Marty picked up a form and began to fill it out.

"Sir, you really shouldn't be leaving so soon."

"I want to go home. The doctor told me I needed rest. I can rest at home."

The sister looked at Marty and then at Jeff, "He was unconscious when he came in here, keep an eye on him for the first 24 hours. If he shows any sign of confusion, don't hesitate to call 999, all right, sir?"

Jeff looked at the sister, and then at Marty, "Marty, are you sure?"

Marty signed the form, "Jeff, I'm fine. I'll tell you what happened in the car. I want to go home, with you. I hate hospitals, Jeff."

The sister took the form from Marty, and looked at Jeff, "He's signed out against medical advice, sir. You can take him home," then she looked at Marty, "Sir, if you feel ill at all - headaches, blackouts, or nausea, please come straight back."

"Yah, whatever. Come on, Jeff, let's go."

Jeff nodded at the nurse, looked at Marty, then helped him out of the hospital and to his car.

Jeff sat behind the wheel of his car, and looked over at Marty. It had been a bit of struggle getting Marty in the passenger seat of Jeff's coupe, with his broken leg, but they'd finally managed it.

Marty groaned and closed his eyes, then opened them and looked at Jeff, "All right, tell me... What happened?"

"I was in class, Marty. Houseman's family law seminar..."

"Oh, bad timing, eh?"

Jeff looked at him, "Marty, I'm being serious!"

"Sorry, Jeff, but I know Houseman makes you nervous. You've talked about him often enough."

"He's one of my best professors," Jeff answered.

Marty raised an eyebrow.

"And, yes, he makes me nervous. Anyway, Alice, the department secretary - she interrupted the class, Marty!"

Marty looked at Jeff, his face serious, then nodded.

Jeff looked at him, and handed him the message paper from his suit coat pocket.

Marty scanned it... "This isn't right - I asked a nurse to phone you, so I could get a lift home. I mean, I...I needed to see you, Jeff. I did. But I told her to tell you it wasn't serious so you wouldn't panic. I don't understand..."

Jeff nodded, "Do you have any idea what went through my mind?"

Marty nodded, "Yah, I think I do, Jeff."

Jeff nodded, then stuck the key into the ignition, and turned it over, "So, What happened?"

Marty sighed, then closed his eyes.

"Marty, come on, tell me what happened? I know you are all right, it won't upset me," he checked that the traffic was clear, and pulled into the street, heading home.

"I... I was in a car accident."

"Um, hum, and?"

"Oh, all right - another driver forced me off the road. The agency's car is a total write-off."

Jeff's hands shook on the wheel, then he steadied himself, and continued to drive. "You were forced off the road?"

Marty nodded, "Yah... it was frightening, Jeff... I didn't know... the only choice I had was to try not to hit another car... I... I went... the car went off the road, over the shoulder, and then... I'm not sure, but I must have flipped the car, Jeff."

"God, Marty... you flipped the car?"

"It gets a little fuzzy towards the end. Next I knew, I woke up in hospital, in Casualty. And that's what they told me... I flipped the car."

"Oh, god," Jeff took a deep breath, "You are okay?"

Marty nodded, "I'm okay," he reached over and touched Jeff's shoulder, I am okay, Jeff. But I'm sore, and I'm badly in need of a bath.

A bath? With your leg in a cast? Brilliant, Marty.

Marty ran a hand through his stiff hair, We'll manage.

Jeff smiled at the image Marty had sent him, Marty... you randy sod... do you have any idea what you mean to me? Hum?

Yah, I do, Jeff... about the same as you mean to me. But actually, maybe some sleep wouldn't go amiss. I'm so tired, Jeff.

Jeff glanced at Marty, "We'll be home, soon, Marty."

Marty nodded, his eyes closed, half asleep in the passenger seat of the car.

Jeff drove along, glancing at Marty every once in a while, then finally reached their rented flat and parked the car. "We're here, Marty."

Marty didn't answer.

"Come on, Marty, wake-up. We're home," Jeff reached over to shake Marty, but he didn't respond, then his head flopped over onto his chest.

"Oh, god, Marty? MARTY!" Jeff shook his lover, but there was no response, "Marty, I'll be right back, I promise."

Jeff left Marty in the car, and ran into the flat. He rushed to the phone, and dialed 999, asking for an ambulance. Then he returned to the car. "Marty? Marty, wake-up, come on, please wake up."

Marty groaned, "Jeff? What happened? Where are we?"

"At our flat, Marty, you..."

"Oh, I fell asleep, all right. Let's go in, then," Marty started to move to get up, then he groaned as pain shot up his leg.

Jeff shook his head, and put a hand on Marty's chest, "No! Don't move. Marty, something is seriously wrong. Just don't move."

Marty looked at him, "Jeff, I fell asleep in the car. It's not surprising, considering the day I had, come on, let's go in the flat." Marty began moving, struggling in the seat.

Jeff lightly pushed Marty back in his seat, "No! Listen to me, Marty. You didn't just 'fall asleep', you were unconscious! I couldn't wake you up. Something is wrong, seriously wrong."

Sirens in the distance split the night, and then seemed to be approaching.

Marty looked at Jeff, "I do feel a bit off," he paused, then said, "Nah, I'm fine. I'm sure, I'm fine," then his expression changed, "On second thoughts, I don't feel well - at all," Marty pushed the car door all the way open, leant out and threw up.

Jeff held his shoulders, supporting him, as he retched, Marty! Listen, something is wrong. Please, let me bring you back to hospital. Please, Marty.

Marty finished retching, then collapsed against the car door, Jeff gently supported him, helping him back into the car seat, then took a few tissues from the box on the floor and wiped Marty's mouth, then tossed them out of the car, "Marty?"

I'm sorry, Jeff, I wanted to be at home, with you. I didn't think it was serious. I didn't. I swear it, Jeff.

I know, Marty, I know. And you'll be all right, you will. Just relax, the ambulance will be here any minute.

Marty moaned, "Jeff, I..." then he closed his eyes, sinking in the car seat.

"Marty? Marty! You'll be all right, but stay with me." Jeff took Marty's hand, "Stay with me, Marty."

Marty jolted awake, "Jeff, what's happened? Where are we?"

"We're at home, and... you're ill, Marty. Don't move. I've called 999, they'll be here any minute, listen."

There was a sound of an approaching siren, getting closer and closer.

Marty looked at Jeff, then squeezed Jeff's hand, Jeff, I'm scared.

I know, so am I, but you WILL be all right, Marty. I promise.

"Jeff? Jeff?" Marty began to struggle again, looking around the interior of the car in a panic.

Jeff pushed Marty back in the seat, then gently touched his hair, stroking his head to calm Marty down, "Marty, stay calm. It's important that you don't move, okay?"

Marty nodded, "Jeff, What happened?"

"You're ill. But the ambulance is almost here. Do you hear that?" There was a sound of a very close siren, "Marty, try to relax, and stay calm. You'll be all right, I promise."

An ambulance pulled up to the flat, and two EMTs rushed towards the front of the flat.

Jeff opened his car door and yelled, waving an arm, "Over here!"

The EMTs rushed towards the car, then one of them asked Jeff, "What happened?"

Jeff turned, "Marty was in a car accident this morning, I was bringing him home and he lost consciousness in the car. Then he woke up, and vomited. He... he seemed lucid, but he's been getting more and more confused while we've sat here, waiting for you."

The EMT nodded, "His name and age?"

"Marty Hopkirk, he's twenty-one."

The EMT nodded, and walked to the open door on the passenger side of the car. He crouched down near Marty, leaning in, "Mr. Hopkirk? Can you hear me, Mr. Hopkirk?"

"Yeah, I can hear you. What happened?" He started to move.

"No, lie back, sir. Your mate says you were in a car accident this morning? What do you remember about that?"

"An accident? Oh, that's right, the agency's car. I flipped the agency's car."

Jeff nodded at the EMT, "That's what he told me happened."

"Were you there, sir? Did you see the accident?"

"No, no I was at uni. I'm a law student. But that is what he told me earlier, what he said happened this morning."

"Jeff?" Said Marty, "Jeff, I think I'm... I'm going to..." Marty, leaned out and began to vomit again.

Jeff held his shoulders, supporting him, as Marty stuck his head out and retched.

When he was finished, the EMT and Jeff helped him to lie back in the car seat. The EMT checked his pupils, then clicked his tongue. "We need to get him into casualty."

Jeff nodded, "I know that... why do you think I called 999?"

"Calm down, he should be all right, but he needs further treatment." The EMT called his partner over, who brought a trolley from the ambulance. The two EMTs helped Marty out of the car and onto the trolley. Then loaded the trolley into the back of the ambulance.

"I'm coming with you," said Jeff.

The EMT looked at Jeff, then nodded. "All right, come on."

Jeff stepped into the back of the ambulance, and the ambulance rushed off into the night.

A few nights later

A few nights later, in the evening, Jeff lay on the bed, cuddled next to Marty. He turned over on his side, and leaned on Marty's shoulder.

Marty groaned.

"I'm sorry, does your shoulder hurt?" asked Jeff.

Marty put his arm around Jeff and shook his head slightly, "No, not really. It's... I'm a little sore, Jeff. All those bumps and bruises from the accident, feel like they have their own bruises. But it's okay, I want you near me."

Jeff pushed himself up, "Are you sure you're all right?"

Marty nodded. Jeff lay down again, his head on Marty's shoulder.

Marty kissed the top of Jeff's head, and held him closer, "I'm sorry I scared you so badly, Jeff."

Jeff lifted his head again, then kissed Marty's lips, lightly, "It's all right. You're all right. You're home now. It's just... God, Marty, you did scare me, I mean, when I couldn't wake you up? I was terrified."

"I know," Marty touched Jeff's face, then kissed him. "What happened at uni? I mean, when you got that message about me being in casualty?"

"I showed you the message, told you how scared I was?"

"And I had a concussion at the time. Jeff - I don't remember leaving the hospital. I mean, I... I remember images, a few images and that's all, but I don't remember..."

"You don't remember me meeting you in Casualty? You don't remember telling me about your accident? Or me driving you home?"

Marty took Jeff's hand, then shook his head, "Nope."

"I... I over-reacted. You know, when I... when I think about it, I'd had a feeling all day that something was wrong, and... I panicked when I got the message, Marty. That's all... I panicked."

Marty nodded, then looked at Jeff.

Jeff sighed, "The message... it got a bit messed-up, mentioned they were looking for your next-of-kin. God, Marty. I was in my law seminar... and I..."

Marty nodded, "You were frightened. You thought something serious had happened to me?"

"Marty-- it HAD! You flipped your car, and you had a concussion. I mean, I know you're all right now, so... I'm okay, but... Marty, I was so scared."

Marty nodded, taking Jeff in his arms and kissing him, darting his tongue into his mouth. Jeff responded, sighing. Marty stroked Jeff's hair, pulling him closer. Jeff rolled onto Marty. Marty yelped.

Jeff rolled off Marty, and lay next to him, "I'm sorry, I'm..."

Marty put a hand to Jeff's lips, "Shush, it's okay... just don't touch me leg, Jeff. It still hurts!"

Jeff nodded, kissing Marty's hand on his lips. "God, Marty... I was so scared."

Marty nodded.

"I was terrified. I was afraid..."

"It didn't happen, Jeff. I'm fine. I'm here, with you. Please, stop thinking... what you're thinking."

Jeff nodded, "I'll try. Um, Marty, there's something else I've been thinking about."

"What's that?" Marty stroked Jeff's hair.

Jeff leant into his lover's hand, "Maybe you should quit your job... leave the detective agency."

Marty moved away, and pushed himself up on the bed, leaning against the head board. "I love my job, Jeff."

"I'm almost done with the law course. I'm sure to get a good position when I am done. We'll be fine," Jeff kissed him.

Marty pushed Jeff away, lightly, "It's not the money. There isn't a whole lot of money, anyway. I enjoy the work, Jeff. I really love it! I like thinking at work, figuring things out."

"Taking pictures of women cheating on their husbands?" asked Jeff, leaning in for another kiss.

Marty stopped him, "There's a lot more to it than that. Every job has stuff you don't like. Come on, Jeff, you can't tell me you like everything about practicing law?"

Jeff moved back, "No, but I don't think anyone will run me off the road when I get a good position as a solicitor."

"That wasn't my fault!"

"I didn't say it was! What did the agency have you working on that was so dangerous someone would try to... to kill you, Marty?"

"I can't talk about it. But... but it's NOT like that, there's nothing inherently dangerous about what I do."

"Then maybe we can do it together," Jeff cautiously moved closer to Marty, and then kissed him.

Marty tilted his head away from Jeff, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you've been there for what, two years now?"

"Yeah, about that."

"Haven't you learned enough to do it on your own? To have a choice about the cases you take and the clients you serve? I mean, really Marty."

Marty just looked at Jeff, "What are you proposing?"

"We can open our own business. Our own detective business. Then at least I can look out for you. I'll know what you are doing. We can work together," Jeff kissed Marty again.

"What about law?"

"That was me mum's idea... it always was. I went along with it, because... I suppose I thought I owed her something, and because I didn't have any better ideas. Besides, I actually enjoy university, Marty. You know that. I enjoy the lectures, the discussion, even studying. But I don't know if I could actually sit in a solicitor's office, day after day, writing wills, vetting paperwork, and everything else. It would be so boring."

"Great time to think of changing careers, Jeff, graduation's when?"

"Oh, six months, eight maybe...depends on if you include summer term. Anyway, I'm ahead a bit, I'll be done in time for next winter's graduation. IF I finish, that is."

Marty looked at Jeff, "No, you will graduate. If I'm even to consider opening our own business, working together, you will finish your degree, Jeff. Then if it doesn't work out, you can always go back into law, and I can... I'll find something."

Jeff nodded, "All right, I'll graduate. But will you consider the idea? Our own business, Marty. Think about it. Randall and Hopkirk."

Marty smiled, "Randall and Hopkirk? It has a ring to it," Marty smiled, then looked at Jeff seriously, "Your mum will kill you. She'll kill me. She's talked about you going into law since you brought home your A-levels."

"But it's not what I want. Besides, I wasn't the only one who brought home A-levels," Jeff lightly touched the side of Marty's face.

"Uni didn't suit me, Jeff. But it suits you. You just told me, you enjoy university. You'll like practicing law, Jeff. You will. I know it."

"It's not what I want, Marty. What I want, is to be with you, every day. Looking out for you. I want us, to go into business, together."

Marty nodded, "It won't be easy... setting up a business isn't exactly cheap, Jeff."

"We have time to save, and... I've got that money me Dad left for me, remember, I told you about my trust fund."

"Oh, no, Jeff... you can't, that's your money."

"It's ours. Well, it's mine, but... what's mine is yours, Marty. Honestly."

"Jeff, how long have you thought about this?"

"Well, the idea occurred to me in my seminar, that afternoon, before Alice even came in with...with that message. And I've... with everything that happened, I thought about it and decided to talk to you."

"So, for a few days? You're thinking of throwing away a brilliant law career, because I was in a little accident?"

"No, not just the last few days." Jeff sat up against the headboard, then looked at Marty seriously, "I've always thought it would be nice to work together, but... I didn't know how to do that. Now I think I do, Marty."

Marty sighed, "Jeff... I'm not sure..."

Jeff nodded, "Marty, I don't ever want to be in a conference room and get a message like that again. I want to be with you."

Marty looked at Jeff, suspiciously, "Jeff, what are you saying?"

"Nothing. Nothing, Marty. I've never been so scared, that's all."

Marty nodded, "Well, if we're talking about next year... I'll have time to... sort things out, talk to the agency, maybe even drum-up a few clients. You sure, Jeff?"

Jeff nodded, "Think about it, Marty."

Marty nodded. "Come here, Jeff. Be careful, though, I am a bit sore."

Jeff cuddled closer to Marty, but avoided his leg. Marty held him tight, thinking of their future together.