Friends and Lovers

Chapter 10

Disclaimers: the usual

A/N: Again, thanks for the feedback. Always appreciated.

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Hospital

"You're looking good for a man who was pulled from a burning building, Crash," remarked Jack as he pushed open the door to Bobby's hospital room. A quick check revealed Bobby was alone.

"Hey, Sparky!" Bobby greeted Jack with a smile, pleased he had a visitor to help pass the time until Sue returned. "I feel great if a bit bored," he answered truthfully. He pointed to the tv monitor. "Not much to watch without cable. There is a serious lack of sports coverage here."

"Cheer up," said Jack, "it could be worse. You could be here for a week like the last time."

Bobby shuddered. "Thank God it's only overnight!" he said fervently. "You know how I hate hospitals."

"You mean you hate being a patient in a hospital," corrected Jack remembering the case that landed Bobby in the hospital with a concussion and surgery to remove a bullet from his leg. He hadn't been the best patient then either but luckily for the nurses, at least he'd been sedated part of the time.

"I've already been told that my behavior could use a bit of improvement," admitted Bobby sheepishly. "A decidedly difficult task when you're surrounded by drill sergeants like that Nurse Wilson." He suddenly bent over as a spasm of coughing bit.

Jack was stunned momentarily. "You sure you're okay?" he asked in concern as the coughing subsided. "You want me to get the nurse? That cough doesn't sound too good."

Bobby waved him off as he tried to get his breath back. "Don't let that fool you. I'm fine. The doctor said I'll be doing that for a while."

"You sure?" Jack asked doubtfully. "That doesn't sound good at all."

"I'm sure," Bobby answered dryly leaning back into the pillows. "It sounds worse than it really is."

"If you say so," Jack conceded. He knew how stubborn his best friend could be. "I thought Sue said she'd be back. She decide she'd rather not see the ornery side of you?"

"I'm never ornery," declared Bobby. "I just like to exercise my patient rights."

"So where is she? Getting you some real food?" asked Jack.

"Walking Levi." He looked at Jack. "Tell me, Sparky, do you think I'm a difficult patient?"

Jack swallowed his grin. "Let's just say, I think the nurses will be really happy when you check out tomorrow. You are checking out tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Hope so." He gestured to the one semi-comfortable chair in the room. "Have a seat."

Instead of sitting, Jack approached Bobby's bed. Bobby glanced at his friend. "Why so serious, Jack? Don't tell me I have an incurable disease and the doctor sent you to tell me?" he joked.

A lopsided smile appeared. "I just wanted to say, I think it's great about you and Sue," Jack stated, "although it did kinda catch me by surprise."

"You're not the only one, mate. It took us by surprise, too," admitted Bobby, "albeit a very nice surprise."

"She seems happy."

"I plan to do my best to keep her that way."

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Hospital Lobby

Jack was just leaving as Sue entered the hospital doors.

"Hey," greeted Jack. "Glad I ran into you before I left. Bobby looks good—except for that cough."

She nodded. "The doctor said he'll have that for a while." She looked at Jack trying to gauge his feelings about the whole situation. "Everything okay?" The simple question asked far more than those two words. As they stared at each other, again regret briefly flitted across his eyes.

He took a deep breath. "Yeah." He cleared his throat. "I think you need to get back in there though. The night nurse was going into Bobby's room and I think the battle lines are being drawn as we speak."

She smiled and nodded. She understood his subliminal message—Jack was okay with her relationship with Bobby.

"See you tomorrow?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, I'll be in."

As she entered the elevator, his eyes followed her until the doors shut her off from his view. With a sigh and a shake of his head, he headed home.

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"Ms. Thomas," said an aggravated Nurse Meyers, as Sue entered the room, "could you please tell Mr. Manning that this very mild sedative is to help him sleep through the night? Doctor thought it might help him rest better because of the discomfort of the burn on his hand."

Bobby sat up looking irked. "I'm telling her I don't need a blasted pill to sleep! I don't take those things and I'm not starting now."

Sue glanced at both faces and thought for a moment before proposing a compromise. "Can he try to sleep without it? Can we call you if he does need it?"

The older woman stared at her. "Fine." She glared at Bobby. "I don't know how she puts up with you, Mr. Manning. She must have the patience of a saint."

Sue dimpled as she suppressed a smile. Nurse Meyers patted Sue's arm as she walked past. "You may want to consider finding another boyfriend—one with a better disposition," she ended glaring at Bobby. The door shut behind her with a definite click.

Sue looked at Bobby from the foot of the bed and shook her head.

"What?"

"Apparently someone has been a very bad boy while I was gone," she admonished him matter-of-factly, shaking her head. "And it's not Levi because he was with me."

He stared at her for a moment then fell back against his pillow feeling properly chastised. "Have I ever told you how much I hate hospitals?" he said conversationally.

"I think you may have dropped a hint or two," said Sue with a trace of a smile as she walked to his bedside.

He scooted over and patted the space beside him with an unspoken request in his eyes. She hesitated for a moment, then slipped off her shoes and made herself comfortable with Bobby's arm around her. She reached up to grasp his fingers in one hand enjoying the feel of his skin as she gently rubbed her thumb back and forth across his fingers. She laid her head on his shoulder content to just be with him. Touching him was the only way she could reassure herself that he was all right after all the experiences of the day.

"You do realize this is against the Bureau's policy," observed Sue glancing at Bobby.

"What is?"

Sue gestured between them. "What we're doing now."

"This is not a date," he pointed out. "You're comforting a friend, albeit a very special friend, who's been gravely injured and recuperating in the hospital," he smirked. "This is not a date," he emphasized.

The corner of her mouth turned up. "A technicality."

He gently trailed his forefinger down her face his touch sending shivers down her spine. "But true nonetheless." He kissed her forehead. "Changing the subject somewhat, how shall we celebrate my release from this horrid place and more importantly, our first kiss?"

"Wouldn't that be considered a date?" asked Sue with a hint of a smile.

"A celebration, Ms. Thomas, is quite different from a date," he corrected her. "Dating implies getting acquainted. I think we're past that stage." He proceeded to demonstrate what he meant.

"Ah," gasped Sue after being thoroughly kissed, "I see what you mean. We're definitely past the acquaintance stage," she agreed. "You've obviously given this a lot of thought."

"I've been known to have a deep thought or two," he grinned. "So, what shall it be?" repeated Bobby. "A romantic celebratory dinner for two complete with candlelight and flowers? I'd much prefer a picnic but it's the middle of winter. Or perhaps a basketball game?" he asked hopefully.

"Playing or watching?"

"Either."

Sue mulled over his suggestions for a bit when a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. Bobby noticed it with some trepidation.

"Oh, I don't know if I like that gleam in your eye," he responded looking at her suspiciously. "I've seen it before."

Her eyes widened in feigned innocence. "I don't know what you mean, Bobby," She started to gently rub his lips with the tip of her forefinger. "I'll leave our celebration plans in your hands if you promise not to give the nurses such a hard time." As he opened his mouth to protest, she placed her finger over his lips. "Is it a deal?"

He looked at her. "And if I'm good?" he asked huskily.

"We'll celebrate according to Bobby Manning." She kissed the tip of his nose. "Or I could plan our celebration which could include a tour of the Smithsonian followed by deaf poetry reading. I know how much you'd love that."

"Uh…" Bobby grimaced, "I'd love to do the Smithsonian with you one day but that poetry reading…. " he shook his head, "...not my cup of tea--deaf or hearing."

"And so?" she looked at him.

"And so what?"

She just looked at him.

"All right, I promise," he said resignedly.

"Good." She snuggled back into his arms. "I never thought when the day started, that I'd end it lying in a bed with you. Wait!" she said sitting up, "that didn't come out right."

"But you're right," declared Bobby. "You're lying here in a hospital bed with me, a tight fit but nevertheless, we are together on the same bed. If I had my druthers, we'd be lying in a bed somewhere else but that's another time, another place, another story," he said remembering his promise to her to take their relationship at her pace.

She looked at him, grateful that he wasn't pushing her into something she wasn't ready for. Until their kiss this morning, she didn't consciously realize it was Bobby she wanted in her life. She was still processing this revelation. "Some day," she promised. Bobby leaned in to kiss her.

She sighed as she lay in his arms once again. Emotionally exhausted after the tumultuous day and soothed by the warmth of Bobby's arms around her, her eyelids began to droop.

Bobby glanced at her sleepy face, then switched off the light. Placing a kiss on top of her head, he made himself comfortable enjoying the feel of Sue in his arms. Within minutes, both were fast asleep.

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Nurse Meyers entered the room to check on her bear of a patient. She hoped he was asleep because she wasn't looking forward to another encounter with the irritable agent. Some people just did not like being in the hospital and he was one of them.

She stopped short at the sight of him sleeping peacefully with the pretty blonde in his arms.

"Not exactly regulation," she muttered to herself as she did a quick check of her patient. She didn't have the heart to wake either one. Noting the woman was on top of the covers, she left briefly and returned to place a blanket over her. As she tucked the blanket around her, she thought she heard the woman murmur, "Bobby" and smile as she snuggled deeper into his arms. Unconsciously his hands tightened around her pulling her closer to him as though he'd never let go. Taking one last look at the couple, she smiled as she let the door close behind her.

"How is he?" asked one of the other nurses who'd heard stories about Bobby.

"Sleeping like a baby," Nurse Meyers responded.

"Good. Let's hope he wakes up in a better mood tomorrow."

"Amen to that," agreed his nurse as she picked up the file on the next patient. "How's Mr. Saunders doing?" she asked resuming the rhythm of the night shift.

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