Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Crossing Jordan.

Regret

Chapter 12 – I don't need you.

"Hey Stranger." Woody's eyes fluttered to the sound of her voice. It was early morning and the sunlight flooded into the room.

"Annie, what the hell are you doing here?" Anger started to cloud his face.

"Good to see you too Woods. Your friend Detective Santana phoned me the day you were shot."

"Well, remind me to thank her. What can I do for you Annie?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay and ask you to come home."

"This is my home. I may regret hurting you but I don't regret leaving you. I love Boston and the people in it. I'm happy here."

"Woody I can take care of you, I'm a nurse."

"I don't need you."

"I need you. Even after you left I never stopped loving you Woody. I will always love you. I know what my father said but he is wrong, I'm not to good for you. You're to good for me. Please come home with me. I love you Woody please."

"I love you Annie but I'm not in love with you. The only girl I want in my life is Jordan Cavanaugh."

"Who?"

"This ME I've worked with for the past 4 years. I'm in love with her not you."

"Woody, please I love you so much. If you and Jordan are so in love then why isn't she here?"

"She… she… she's at work."

"You were shot 2 days ago and she went back to work."

"They're really short – staffed and they just got a new boss. It's okay, I understand."

"Woody, are you sure that's how you want to live. You are in love with someone who chooses their job over you. I can take time off and take care of you."

"I don't need you."

"Woody, you need someone who is there for you."

"Aren't you engaged?"

"I left him, he just wasn't you. We have so much in common. I ran into Cal about 3 months ago, he believes we're soul mates."

"Do you mean believed?"

"Pardon?"

"Cal's dead Annie, he was shot and we are not soul mates. We have nothing in common. You grew up in the American dream, with money, both parents, beauty, and everything else you would ever want. I grew up motherless and eventually fatherless. I had no money and now don't even have my brother. I have more in common with Jordan. She's had it rough too. I don't think I can handle being married to someone who is perfect. Your father was right, I'm not good enough for you. You have everything. My breaking your heart is probably the worst thing that has ever happened to you."

Annie was speechless. "You really believe that?"

"I don't know, the only thing I do know is that I love Jordan. I'm sorry but I'm not coming home with you."

"I'm really sorry about your brother Woody."

"No you're not. You hated Cal. You thought I babied him too much, always bailing him out."

"Woody, I did not hate Cal. I just worried about how much he stressed you out."

"Good bye Annie."

"If anything ever changes call me. I'm never going to stop loving you Woody. I'll always be there for you." With that Annie left the room wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Did you really mean all that Farm Boy?"

Woody looked up to see Jordan in the doorway.

"Jordan, how much of that did you hear?"

"All of it."

"Meant every word."

"I love you too, and one more thing I do not choose my job over you."

"I know but I didn't know what to say. She is very persuasive."

"I have some time off."

"Is that so. Why might that be?"

"Stiles gave me mental leave."

"Because?"

"My apartment was broken into."

"Oh, how are you feeling about that?"

"I don't know, I don't really want to talk about it."

"Okay, well fine instead you can help me share my treacherous hospital breakfast."

"What no sissy coffee?"

"Not unless you smuggle some in."

"Yeah maybe when you're feeling better. You've only been here 2 days."

"Come on, I only get jello for breakfast. I don't think that is the breakfast of champions."

The smile on Jordan's face was the first genuine smile Woody had seen on her face since before he gave her the ring. It warmed his heart, there was always something about her smile that could light up the room for him. He gently brushed his lips against hers and this time there were no cell phones, the only interruption was the nurse carrying Woody's breakfast in on a tray.