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Chapter 17

Jamie awoke a little disoriented, in a bedroom he didn't recognize at first and the the weight of a warm body snuggled along his left side as soft even breaths fluttering against his neck. Then the previous night flashed across his mind, causing Jamie to smile. It was crazy - their relationship had literally taken a complete one eighty overnight and he couldn't be happier.

Jamie lifted his head to check the time on Eddie's alarm clock. Satisfied that it was still early, he relaxed against the pillow and ran his left hand along Eddie's back, caressing her bare shoulder. His fingers ran up and down her soft skin. He was deep in thought over the events of the previous day until a gentle kiss was placed on his neck.

Jamie smiled and turned his head toward Eddie, nuzzling her forehead with his cheek. "Good morning," he whispered.

"Certainly is," she replied, smiling after he snorted at her comment. "For several reasons," she clarified. She was happy to have him in her bed, but more than anything, she was happier to have him safe and sound. Eddie eyed the angry bruise on his chest and ran her fingers along the unmarred skin around it. "Does it hurt?" she asked, her tone more solemn.

Jamie looked down to his chest. "Not so much anymore," he assured her while turning to face her, making sure to keep her pressed up against him.

Eddie closed the small gap between them and kissed Jamie soundly, pulling away after a moment to reveal a mischievous little grin on her face. "What are the chances I could convince you to stay in bed with me all day?" she asked.

Jamie's expression matched hers before he let out a groan of disappointment. "I'd say they'd be pretty solid if I didn't have to report to the precinct in a few hours."

"Too bad," Eddie pouted, but obviously understood the magnitude of yesterday's incident. It just didn't negate her desire to keep him safe with her.

"And I want to go by the hospital to see Vinny," he added.

"You should," she agreed.

Jamie smiled, still in disbelief that Eddie was here, lying next to him. "But I got some time," he said and kissed her again. Jamie pulled back and brushed some hair out of her face. "Is this too fast?" he worried again.

Eddie looked into his blue eyes. "Some would say it's about time...at least I would," she argued.

Jamie half shrugged as he continued to run his fingers through her hair. "I didn't think you were interested," he confessed.

Stunned by his comment, Eddie's brows arched upward. "Why would you think that? I was afraid I was starting to smell of desperation," she chortled.

Jamie's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Well, you said so yourself," he countered.

Eddie's head jutted back in surprise. "What? When?" she puzzled, unable to imagine ever making such a statement considering her feelings for him.

"Back when everything happened with Springer," he alluded.

Eddie stiffened despite the confusion that remained on her face.

Jamie took note of her discomfort at the mention of Springer's name but forged on, pulling her closer to him. "You really don't remember?"

Eddie shook her head, waiting for him to continue.

Jamie lowered his hand to the small of her back and left it there. "You said...you said that we got together for 'drinks and studying, but that didn't make your personal life fair game,'" he reminded her. "I figured that's just how you saw us."

Eddie thought back to that time and her eyes dropped to the bruise on his chest. "Jamie, I...," she trailed off sadly, hating the way she had pushed him away during that time. "I didn't mean that," she swore. "Back then," she paused for a sigh before continuing, "I was angry and embarrassed and I took it out on you when all you wanted to do was help."

Jamie nodded in understanding. "I just took you for your word and considering what you went through, I didn't want to force myself on you, Eddie," he explained.

"Ditto," Eddie responded when she met his eyes again.

Jamie looked at her quizzically.

"Considering what you went through with Sydney and everyone pressuring you to date again, I didn't want to push you either," she clarified.

Jamie smiled and shook his head at the irony. "Wow. We make quite a pair," he told her.

"Yeah, we do," she confirmed with a bright smile.

"Better late than never, right?"

Eddie's pursed her lips and pulled his face to hers, kissing him deeply as if to make up for lost time.

"You're blushing!" Vinny teased from his slightly elevated position on the hospital bed. Despite being shot in the gut, Vinny was looking a lot better than Jamie expected. He was hooked up to an IV, a few monitors and, most importantly, a machine that dispensed pain medication at the push of a button. And apparently he had pushed said button just before Jamie's arrival because he was feeling no pain at the moment. There were dark smudges under his eyes and he looked drawn out but was otherwise back to his old self and sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

After they'd said their hellos and exchanged awkward expressions of relief over each other's well being in typical gruff, macho-guy fashion, Vinny had easily picked up on a change in Jamie. After the scare from the day before, Vinny found his demeanor surprisingly light, more peaceful, and happy, even, but not the happy from surviving a close call. So he promptly steered the conversation to one he brought up frequently with his partner: the female officer Jamie claimed was only a friend. The medication had done nothing to dull his keen observation skills.

"I am not," Jamie argued even though he could feel his cheeks flush. He squirmed in the visitors chair, wishing that Vinny's family would return from the cafeteria and interrupt this conversation.

"Yes you are," Vinny confirmed as he waved the arm not tethered to the IV over at his partner. "Are you two finally seeing each other?" he asked and squinted at Jamie as he tried to pick up on his other tells. Vinny knew Jamie Reagan well enough to know he was a terrible liar.

Jamie sighed and figured he might as well confess or Vinny would continue to interrogate him for the rest of the visit. "Yes," he said begrudgingly, clearly leaving out just how recently they considered themselves an item.

Vinny reached over and bumped the back of his hand against Jamie's knee. "Good for you, man," he said. No wonder he seemed so at ease after everything they went through yesterday. It was good to have someone special at a time like this.

Jamie glanced at his grinning partner and clamped his mouth shut as he fought to hold back the smile that wanted to spread across his face. This is what he'd wanted - and apparently Eddie too - he just hoped it didn't change the dynamic between the two of them. "It's still new," Jamie warned. "We'll see how it goes," he cautioned, worried that it might be too good to be true.

Vinny nodded as he smirked at his friend. "She seems cool. It'll be fine," he assured him.

"Yeah," Jamie agreed, vowing to stay positive and enjoy his time with Eddie. He hadn't felt so comfortable with anyone since Sydney died and a part of him was worried that it would all get messed up somehow. It was a fear that had remained since the accident - that something new and good could very easily be ripped away from him again.

A little family fun in the next chapter, until Frank puts his foot down.