Friends and Lovers
Chapter 8
Disclaimers: same as before--Not mine! Not mine! Not mine!
----------
Emergency Room
Sue quietly entered the room to find the curtain partially drawn. She had a glimpse of a shirtless Bobby and was relieved he looked none the worse for his experience. There was a frown on his face as he disdainfully held up a hospital gown. "Do I have to wear this?" he remarked to the nurse cleaning up the used medical supplies.
"Yes," replied the nurse in a no-nonsense voice as she stared him down with a steely gaze. "Hospital rules. Now either you put it on or I'll put it on for you."
"You wouldn't dare!" he argued.
"Try me," she said forcefully as she glared at him.
Sue struggled to contain her laughter. She had no idea Bobby would be such a difficult patient. And from the looks of things, a little intervention might be warranted. "I suggest you listen to the nurse, Bobby," she admonished as she stepped into view.
"Sue!" he said his face lighting up. "I..." He stopped, recalling they were not alone. He turned to the nurse. "Could you give us a few minutes? Please?" he pleaded, flashing the patented Manning smile.
Nurse Wilson was impervious to his charms. However, she was quick to pounce on an opportunity. "Promise to wear the gown?"
"I'll see to it," guaranteed Sue.
A smile of satisfaction appeared on the nurse's face. "Good enough for me. I'll be back in ten minutes and you better be in that gown," she warned closing the door behind her.
Sue and Bobby looked at each other for a long moment before he opened his arms. She walked into them and hugged him tightly with a touch of desperation.
"You frightened me," she confessed, her face pressed against his shoulder. "It was hard enough when you had to check for the bombs but when you ran into that burning building..." She blinked rapidly to stop the tears from falling.
"I'm fine...or I will be in a few days," he tried to reassure her as he rubbed his cheek against her hair. Realizing she couldn't see his lips, he pulled back a little and gently turned her to face him. "I said...hey, what are these for?" he asked softly when he noticed the tears.
She continued to blink them away as he tried to reassure her. "The doctor said I'll be fine." He gently wiped her tears away. "I'm fine, Sue, I really am. Just a few cuts and bruises and a bit of a cough." He cupped her face so she would look at him.
She nodded, not trusting her voice quite yet. Bobby found her irresistible and leaned down to kiss her. Arms wrapped around his neck as the kiss deepened, his arms drawing her closer. All the pent up emotions of the past few hours went into that kiss. After what seemed like an eternity, the two parted gasping for air.
"I wish," began Bobby, trying to control his breathing, "I wish we were any place else except here."
She completely understood what he was feeling because she felt the same way. Her emotions were on overload—so much had happened in such a short period of time.
"I know how you feel, Bobby" shared Sue breathlessly, "believe me, I do. But we can't rush what's happening between us. Do you realize our first kiss was only this morning?"
"Was it?" He looked taken aback. "Seems like a lifetime ago." He smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear. "In spite of bombs, a burning building and an overnight stay at this blasted hospital, this has been the best day of my life--and that's because of you." His arms circled her waist. "We'll take it as slow or as fast as you want," he promised. "My feelings for you won't change. You're stuck with me, Sue Thomas," he gently teased, "whether you like it or not."
She laughed at his 'threat.' "I think that's something I would like very much, Special Agent Manning," she murmured leaning into his lips as his arms tightened around her.
-----
Myles rejoined D and Jack outside of Bobby's room. "Everything's all set. An agent just took over for me." He pointed to Bobby's room. "Can he have visitors?"
D nodded. "The doctor said yes."
"Good," said Myles as he sailed passed them to open the door.
"Myles!" called out Jack attempting to stop him.
Opening the door, he caught a glimpse of Bobby gently wiping away Sue's tears with one hand while she clasped the other. The look they shared was so personal, so intimate, Myles felt embarrassed at his intrusion into their private world. He quietly let the door swing shut.
"I wondered where Sue went," he commented attempting to downplay his faux pas. "I think they need a few minutes alone."
"Good idea," agreed D sarcastically.
----------
When Nurse Wilson returned to check on Bobby, the men went in with her. Clad in his hospital gown, Bobby looked comfortable with Sue at his side as they talked.
"Good!" commented Nurse Wilson. "I see you got him to put on the gown." She glanced down at his legs. "What's this?" she glared at him, tugging at the pants he still had on. "I said everything off!" she ordered.
"Now hold on!" protested Bobby sitting up in annoyance. "A man's got to have his dignity! These gowns are too blasted drafty in the back!"
"Either you take them off or I will," threatened the petite woman. She was not fazed by the taller man.
"I think," Sue said with a small smile, "this is where I came in." She squeezed Bobby's hand. "I'll come back later this evening when you're settled."
"I'll be waiting," he promised.
The nurse shooed everyone out. The last thing the men could hear was Bobby arguing with the nurse.
"I feel sorry for the nurses already," commented Jack wryly. "They'll be so glad to get rid of him tomorrow."
----------