Stepping round the screen he looked down at Brody and saw she had her eyes closed. Loretta had pulled the blanket all the way up now covering her whole body. All he could see was her feet sticking out the bottom and her shoulders where the blanket was tucked under with her arms resting on top. Coming to stand at the head of the table he looked down and smiled, she looked so peaceful when she was like this,it seemed a shame to disturbed her. Placing the bundle of clothes at the foot of the table he keep the coffees in his hand. He wasn't sure if it was his presence or the aroma of coffee that made Brody open her eyes and look at him.
He smiled at her and she smiled back at him.
"Can I smell coffee?" Brody asked as she tried to take a deep breath in but winced and stopped.
Lifting the 2 coffees up so she could see them he nodded.
"Courtesy of Christopher. He's asking after you" as she smiled at the sight of the cups.
"Got you something to wear, might be a little bit big but once you're up we can swing by your place and you can change if you feel up to it" Pride told her as he went to put the coffee on the bench.
"Good timing Dwayne, I have these now" as Loretta waved the X-rays in the air.
"You have several broken ribs spread across your chest and a couple in your back. You're very lucky that they haven't impacted on any major organs. You will need to very careful the next few days and take it easy for at least a week or 2. They need time to heal and knit back together which takes times. If the pain becomes too much then you will need a hospital where they could probably wrap them but the best I can suggest is regular pain relief and be do as little as possible. Ideally bed would be the best place as its flat and you don't have to move much" Loretta told Brody as she saw the way young agent looked disgusted at the thought of staying in bed.
"I would go a far as to say it would be better if you had someone to look after for a few days till the initial pain eases" Loretta dropped in, getting a quick glance between Brody and Pride who were now just looking at each other.
"Well that is not going to happen. I am not going home home and there is none here. So it's just me, myself and I. I will manage as I always do" Brody said as she looked at the ceiling.
"Can I get up now Loretta?" Brody asked turning her head little to look at Loretta.
"Sure but be careful, maybe roll on to your side and come up that way" Loretta suggested.
Brody looked at Loretta then at Pride. Slowly she rolled on to her side so she was facing Pride. Now came the painful part. Using her arms she pushed herself up very slowly. She looked at Pride as she moved and he looked back at her.
"Can I help...please" as he lifted has hands up and went to put one on her shoulder and the other on her side.
When she didn't try to move away and tell him no he placed one hand on her left shoulder and the other he placed very gently on her side. Finally between her slow movement and Pride's slight pressure on her left shoulder pushing up she made it to sitting up. She still had the blanket on her which had now polled at her waist showing the mass of bruises on her stomach and chest as well as her ample cleavage which now looked even bigger due to the fact she was now sat up.
Pride couldn't help it, the male in him just had to go there and look. He did try his best to not look but how many men wouldn't look. Yes she was his junior agent and yes she was beat up but my god she was well endowed. What didn't help was the black lace that covered them. Finally he tore his eyes up and was meet with the chocolate brown gaze of Brody. She had caught him looking. Okay looking was not the right word more like down right ogling her. He gave her one of them half smiles that played at the corner of his mouth, the one he used when he knew he was in trouble and hoped she would understand.
"Any chance you can pass me these clothes you brought up before you eyes pop out your head or I freeze" Brody said to Pride with a smile on her face.
He smiled back, thanking his lucky stars he had escaped untouched. Reaching across he pulled the t- shirt off the top of the pile and brought it her head. Slowly he pulled it over her head and with his help she slipped her arms in one at time.
"Right now I am half dressed pass me that coffee, my ass can freeze a little longer. I need caffeine and that's the best we have here" as she looked at Pride and the cups on the bench.
Pride laughed and reached across for the cups. He went to make a comment about her ass freezing and then he shut his mouth. She saw him open his mouth to speak but shut it again. Did she push him about what he was going to say. After coffee she would. Passing her one he placed his on the metal table and hopped up on it sitting next to her. Picking the coffee back up he watched as she took a drink of hers. She closed her eyes as she drank, as if savouring the flavour. He took a long drink of his and put his cup back down on the table.
"So what were you going to say there before you passed me the coffee?" Brody asked seeing his cheeks go a little red.
"You really don't want to go there, that's why I never said it" he started to laugh.
"Now you have my interested peaked, spit it out now" as she placed her cup to her lips to finish her coffee.
"If you insist, I was going to say we can find a way to warm your ass up when you get off the table" Pride told her as he watch her choke on the coffee she had just tried to swallow.
"Loretta" Pride screamed as jumped off the table and came to stand in front of her.
He didn't want to touch her incase he hurt her. Loretta came running over and gently placed her hand on Brody's back. After giving her a quick thump a couple of times she stopped coughing.
"Whatever you just said Dwayne don't say it again" as Loretta walked away.
"I am so sorry, I should have waited till you finished the coffee but you did ask" Pride said as he looked at Brody who had her head resting down over.
Sensing something was wrong he used his hand to lifted her chin so she was now facing him again. There was tears streaming down her face and she didn't look like she could stop them.
"Hey come here" was all he said as he lifted his arms up and she fell forward in to him.
He wrapped his arms round her as she cried and mumbled something along the lines of "shit that hurt".
"Sorry again, I didn't mean to hurt you even more" as he ran his hand gently up and down her back.
"My fault for asking, but since you brought it up can you help me get down and we can see about warming my ass up, I have lost all feeling in it" as she started to laugh but the pain put a stop to that.
"Sure" as he reached forward and placed his hands on her waist again as she placed her hands on his shoulders and he lifted her down.
As he stood her down he didn't remove his hands from her waist. He kept them there a little longer than necessary the same as she kept her hands on his shoulders longer than needed. He found his fingers slowly skimming the skin under them making small circle movements. Looking over Brody's shoulder he looked to see if he could see Loretta anywhere. This was not something he wanted her to see. Seeing she had left the room he took a huge gamble and instead of keeping his hands still on her hips or even better removing them completely he slid them down and around and cupped her ass. Feeling her stiffen he went to remove them but was stopped when she moved forward and laid her head on his shoulder.
"You weren't joking how cold your ass was were you" as he moved his hands back and forwards over the cold skin and the skimpy panties she had on.
"On saying that if you actually wore something to cover your ass it might stay warmer longer" Pride commented feeling the material under his fingers.
"Well I didn't expect to have the crap beat out me and end up on a stone cold autopsy table when I got up this morning. On saying that I am not complaining about the warming up process" Brody said into Prides ear as she buried her head deeper into his neck.
They were brought out of their activities by a cough from the other side of the room. Since they both had their eyes closed neither saw Loretta renter the room. They both turned a very deep shade of red and stepped away from each other.
"I was just helping warm her back up" Pride told the medical examiner with a grin on his face.
"Of course you were Dwayne, you keep saying that to yourself" Loretta laughed.
"At least you found someone to look after you now Merri" Loretta commented as she walked away again.
"Let's get you ready and back upstairs before even Christopher comes looking for us" Pride said as he reached for the sweatpants.
Bring the sweatpants, socks and slippers closer he dropped to his knees with the socks and pants. Brody looked down and watched as Pride slid the socks on her feet and then the sweatpants. As he stood up he pulled the pants up and tied the cord at her waist.
"There, and the finishing touch" as he dropped the slippers to the floor and she slid her feet in them.
"Very sexy" as he stepped forward and placed a kiss to her head.
Pride gathered together the empty cups and then finding a bag he got Brody's top, jeans and boots together and put them in the bag.
"You ready to go?" Pride asked as he stood beside Brody.
"Ready as I will ever be" as she took a tentative step forward.
As she expected the pain shot through her but she kept going. One front in front of the other she slowly walked forward, the pain easing as she went. Pride stayed by her side but didn't actual touch her, he kept the professional distance. If she needed him he would step up but she was too independent to walk through the office with him helping her. It might be different when they got upstairs but not here.
When they finally made it the the big doors leading in to the main office she had had enough and stopped against the door frame. Pride stepped up to her and placed his hand on the small of her back standing right next to her. He looked down at her and she looked up at him smiling. It was a simple gesture but it was enough for her to continue inside the office, still with his hand on her back.
As they neared the kitchen LaSalle appeared and when he saw the 2 agent in front of him he put the cup down and went straight up to them both.
"You look like I feel Brody" LaSalle said to Brody as he approached her.
"Thanks LaSalle manes a lot to hear that. I just hope you don't feel as crap as I do" Brody replied with a small smile on her face.
"What's the damage then?" LaSalle asked her seeing the look on Pride's face.
"Broken ribs and a few bruises" as she eased her top up to show LaSalle.
LaSalle for his part did attempted to school his features at the site of the bruises but he failed miserably.
"That looks rough, real rough" LaSalle said as she dropped the top back down.
"Got to say it's the worst yet pain wise" as she leaned a little towards Pride.
"Let's get you either sat somewhere comfortable or lay down" Pride said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Sat and down here, I am not going to lie down. I can lie down when I die so how about there" Brody said pointing to the red chairs near the back of the office.
"If you're sure, not going to argue with an invalid" Pride joked as he lead her towards the chairs.
Slowly Brody lowered herself in to a chair and sat back. Next thing she had was a stool under her feet and the table pulled over as a cup of coffee was placed on it along with some pain relief tablets. Looking up at the 2 men who were standing in front of her she had to smile. The looks of concern on both their faces made her smile. They were doing there best to make her feel better and she did appreciate it. Picking up her coffee she downed the tablets and watched as LaSalle walked over to his desk to do whatever he was doing. Pride was not so easy to shake, he stood and watched her.
I am sure you have better things to do than stand guard over me Pride. You can sit at your desk and see me from there" as she nodded at the desk behind her him.
"You sure you don't want to lie down? Loretta suggested..." But he was cut off by Brody raising her hand.
"I am fine here for now. Once the pain killers kick in I will go and do my report for today then maybe just maybe I may go lie down" Brody told Pride.
"I am not going to win this one am I" Pride commented as he walked back to his desk.
"Nope" Brody replied after him.
Sitting at his desk he looked over at Brody and saw she was drinking her coffee and watching him. He switched his computer on and set about doing the reports from that day. He tried not to be too protective over Brody but after seeing her and watching her and yes feeling her he couldn't help it. It dawned on him he had crossed a few boss/junior agent boundaries today. She didn't seem to mind so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. He was not going to say he hadn't thought about crossing them boundaries for a few weeks now. He would take it as it come, he would not push her but see what happened.
Out the corner of his eye he caught moved and jumped to his feet at the exact same moment LaSalle did the same. They both moved to Brody's side as she put her cup down and eased herself to standing very slowly. Looking between the 2 men she smiled and straighting up as best as she could she started to make her way to her desk. As she expected she had an honour guard as she had a man either side of her as she walked. When she made it to her desk she sat down and looked between the men.
"Thank you for escort but I made it so I can do the report for today and keep on top of paperwork" Brody told the men as she switched her computer on.
They both smiled and turned to go back to their own desk's. Pride didn't want to but he had to let her get on with it. He took his time making his way back but only got half way when he decided to make coffee. He disappeared into the kitchen and set about making coffee and something to eat. He knew none of them had anything to eat that he could remember. Once he was in cooking mood he switched off from everything else till he was done.
It only took the others 15 minutes to smell the food and come drifting in. LaSalle was first as his desk was closest the kitchen. Brody wobbled in just behind him holding the door frame as she entered. Pride was at her side in seconds helping her to the table and giving LaSalle a thump on the arm as he passed.
"Sorry, I forgot" as he gave both Brody and Pride a sheepish look.
Brody reached across and took LaSalle's hand and gave it a squeeze. He smiled at her then they both turned the attention back to Pride. They watched as he added bits to the pan and stirred it, tasting it every now and again. Finally after what seems like hours Pride placed full plates in front of LaSalle and Brody while putting one down for himself.
After a chorus of thanks everyone tucked in and there was silence. When Pride cooked he was guaranteed silence at meals times. It was one of the few times he could say his agents wouldn't end up in some fight or another. He watched as they ate and was pleased to see they both cleared their plates.
"Thanks king, amazing as usual" as LaSalle stood and went to pick the empty plates up from everyone.
"That was wonderful thanks Pride" Brody said as she shuffled a little in her chair and stiffened.
"Your due pain relief again" as Pride got up and went to fetch the tablets.
Getting a glass of water and the tablets he put them on the table and watched as Brody took them. As he went to pick the glass back up he delicately let his fingers brush hers as he took the glass. It was a subtle gesture but she smiled at it.
"Has everyone finished their reports from today?" Pride asked as he sat back at the table.
Both LaSalle and Brody said yes, just as he expected.
"Well if you're done you can go home, no point hanging round for no reason" Pride said to the room at large.
"You on the other hand have a choice of 2 things. You either stop here with me or I take you home and I stop with you. There is no other option so stop trying to think of one" Pride finished seeing the look of disgust on Brody's face.
"My house, I have a 2 things you don't. A bath and a bed in that order" Brody replied.
"Right well let me get some stuff together and then we can go if you're ready" Pride said as he went and stood beside her as she went to stand up.
LaSalle had finished the dishes and went to his desk to shut everything down for the night. Just before he left he put his head round the kitchen door and bid his colleagues goodnight. Before he left he stepped up to Brody and gave her a very gentle hug.
"Be careful and make him look after you right" LaSalle said as he kissed Brody's cheek and left.
As they walked out the room Pride switched the light off and went to his desk. Passing Brody the car keys he locked everything down for the night then headed to the bottom of the stairs.
"Give me a couple of minutes to grab my stuff then we go okay" as he left her standing at the foot of the stairs and raced up them.
When he appeared he was carrying a bag which she presumed had his clothes for tomorrow but she wasn't sure why he needed such a big bag. Never mind,she would find out soon enough. Coming back down he gave the office one last look over before slotting his arm round Brody's waist and taking his bag in the other.
"Let's get out of here" as he lead them both over to the open door and out to the car.
Arriving at the car Pride made sure Brody was in and had her seatbelt on before he chucked his bag on the back seat and climbed in the drivers seat. He started the car and drove out the yard making sure yet again to drive nice and slow and avoid the bumps and lumps in the road.
When they arrived at Brody's house Brody undid her seat belt and turned side ways to get out the car.
"Will you wait a minute and I will get the door,impatient woman you are" as Pride climbed out the car and walked round to open the door.
To save time when Brody fully turned he reached in and lifted her out placing her down between his feet so he could catch her if she stumbled. Getting his bag he took the keys out of her hand and again wrapped his arm round her waist. He told himself it was a gesture to keep her safe and to stop her falling but really he liked the feel of her tucked next to him and she fitted so well. He could happily get used to her being there by his side and not as his work partner.
Guiding them both up the path towards the front door he took his time as he guided her up the steps and to the door. Unlocking it he let her enter first as he had no idea where to find a light switch. Brody flicked the hall light on and watched as Pride locked the door and put the keys in his pocket. Standing looking round he looked back at Brody and around the house.
"Where first or what first?" Pride asked her.
"I have no idea, I feel like crap and am thinking bed but then I think of a long soak in the bath" Brody stood looking at Pride as she started to yawn.
"Well I think that answers that one, bed it is. Maybe we can do the bath in the morning as it may help loosen you up before we leave for work" Pride said as he came and stood beside Brody and placed his hand on the small of her back
"I suppose so, bed it is after tablets. I need pain relief right about now if I expected to get any sleep" as Brody made her way to the foot of the stairs going to picking her bag up as she went.
Pride beat her to her bag and passed her it to save her bending down. Opening the bag she pulled out her tablets and took a couple before putting them back in.
"Come on then, bed it is" as she stood at the foot of the stairs and reached to take Prides hand.
Pride looked at Brody's outstretched hand and then up to her face. He couldn't help smile at the look on Brody's face. She had offered her hand to him just after saying she was going to bed. She looked like crap and he knew the state she was in yet here she was standing at the foot of her stairs opening herself up to him, letting him see past the wall she had built around herself. It was an overwhelming feeling knowing he was the first person to be let in to the exclusive club who got to see the real Meredith Brody.
Taking her hand he came to stand level with her as they both started to make the way up the stairs. Every step hurt as her ribs protested sharply, by the time she made it to the top she felt like she had run a marathon. She needed to stop and wait for either her breath to calm or the pain to ease a little.
"Hey you okay? You look like you just chased a suspect round town and still lost him" Pride joked trying to lighten the mood.
"I feel like I just did. Hell this hurts" as she squeezed the hand that was still wrapped around hers.
"Loretta did warn you, looks like I got to phone you a few days sick in. Maybe keep you in the office so I keep an eye on you but no way you're going out in the field or any way near interrogation till you can actual move" As Pride squeezed her hand back.
"I will not be kept anyway if I don't want to so stop with the over protectiveness. I am a big girl remember" as she gave him that dagger look she used to break suspects.
"Oohh I remember only too well you're a big girl" as she watched Prides gaze leave her face and drifted down her chest.
"Bed now, this conversation is done with, for now" as Brody made her way to her bedroom door.
Pushing the door opens she reached round and flicked the switch for the light. A soft glow filled the room from the peach coloured bulb. Pride looked around the room and the very soft glow from the light. Well he would never had thought Brody was in to coloured light to soften the glare. The room was very Brody in every way, she had make her mark with a touch of tough ass and girly-ness all in one. The room was a mix of pinks and peaches from the bed to the curtains then there was the box on the bedside cabinet with a lock on it.
Over by the window was a few bits he knew to be for aerobics or something similar for working out. After he finished having a look round his gaze came back to Brody who seemed a little nervous. He wasn't entirely sure why was nervous but he could soon fix that.
"So how we doing this? What do you want me to do to help? " as he looked at Brody then back at the bed.
"Let's start with getting my pyjamas then bathroom" as she stepped towards the bed.
After picking her pyjamas up they both made their way to the bathroom where Pride finally let go of her hand.
"I will be just outside the door if you need me. I am not going to crowd you but I am here" as he kissed her forehead and stepped away.
Once he was out the bathroom she leant forward and supported herself on the sink unit. She knew she would have to take these clothes off and get her pyjamas on but she wasn't sure she was ready. She had to see the state of herself soon so it was now or never. Undoing the cord on the sweatpants she let them slid down and lifted her feet out. Looking at her legs they didn't look to bad, she had seen worse. Next she slotted her arms inside the t- shirt and tried to lift it over her head. The pain was instant when her arms came level with her chest, there was no way she going to be able to get her arms up enough to get the top off.
Taking a few deep breaths but not deep enough to hurt she rolled to top up enough to see her chest and stomach. What she saw was enough to make her let out a cross between a gasp and strangle cry. Pride heard the noise and came rushing in, not sure if she needed help but not liking the sound either way. He stopped when there eyes locked in the bathroom mirror.
"You okay?" He asked concern and worry etched on his face.
He took in the site of the fact she had no pants on and the t-shirt was raised enough for her to see her injuries in the mirror.
"You weren't wrong were you. There a mess" as she nodded at her reflection in the mirror.
Keeping eye contact via the mirror he stepped forward and stopped right behind her. Slowly he brought his hands up and slotted them under the t- shirt and lifted it over her head. Her arms fell to her side and they both just looked at each in the mirror.
"These" pointing at the bruises " will fade, it's what's in here that matters" as he brought his left hand up and rested it on top of her left breast. "As long as this keeps beating then that's what matters" Pride told her as he bent his head a little more and placed a few kisses to her shoulder and neck.
"Let's get you ready for bed, we don't want you freezing again" as he let his hand drop away and pick the pyjamas up.
Helping her slip her top on he bent down and let her step in her pants before again standing and pulling them up. Giving her the once over he wrapped his arm round her waist and kissed her hair.
"I will leave you to finish getting ready and see you back in the bedroom" leaving her standing there watching his retreating back in the mirror.
She quickly brushed her teeth and got a very quick wash then left the bathroom and headed to the bedroom. On entering the room she saw Pride standing at the window looking down on to the street. He had his hands in his pocket and his shoulders were slumped a little. His shirt was up a little at the back due to his hands being in his pocket showing his belt with his weapon and cuffs still attached. She was surprised to see his weapon as he normally left it locked in the cabinet.
"I can feel you watching me" as he turned around and smiled at her.
She gave him one of them smiles that he loved to see, especially considering the state she was in.
"To answer the 2 questions you have, yours is locked in my cabinet and I kept mine as I feel safer having it on me when I am around you. I can protect you better with it here" patting the weapon on his waist.
"It's nice to know you take you protection detail so seriously but I don't need protecting" as she stepped up to the bed and turned to sit on but had to stop half way.
Finally she lowered herself down and sat looking across at Pride as he came and kneeled in front of her. Lifting her feet and legs up he got her to move sideways so he could bring her feet and legs up and place them on the bed. Slowly she started to lower herself backwards and try to lie down. She got halfway and propped up on her elbows before she had to wait for the pain to ease. Pride slid his arms under her back and took her full weight.
"Let go, I got you" as she let him lower her the rest of the way down.
Finally she was in bed. She wriggled as best as she could getting comfortable before Pride stood up and covered her with the blankets. She looked up at him and patted the bed beside her. He watching her as he walked round the bed and sat down. When he sat down in the empty side of the bed she reached across and slid her hand under his shirt till she felt his skin above the waistband of his jeans.
He took his shoes off and then undid the buckle of the service belt pulling it round till he had his weapon in his hands. Placing it on the nightstand he undid the buttons on his shirt and pulled it off before depositing it on top of his shoes. He took the belt of his jeans but didn't take his jeans off. He didn't trust himself to be able to keep himself in check no matter how bad she was, she was still her and his body would no doubt react to her closeness.
"You cannot sleep in your jeans so take them off. I will not jump you halfway through the night no matter how tempted I get. I can hardly move never mind anything else. Sleep will be my best friend for at least a few days which will be a new thing to me. Have you not brought something a little more nighttime to wear? Your sweatpants are still in the bathroom if that helps some" as she tried to roll on her side to face him.
Stuff it, he stood up and took his jeans off before turning to face her. There was no way she could not let her eyes wander over the expanse of skin she could now see. From his well toned legs that had various scars dotted up them, no doubt work related to his chest which yet again was muscled and toned with more scars on up to his neck and face. He moved to the bed and climbed in covering himself with the blankets. He stayed at a distance that was safe enough to hold her hand but not close enough to let his hands explore.
He had never done this since before Linda, he was back to being a bachelor and he was nervous. He knew he wanted more but now was so not the right time, he would take it slow and see how it developed. She needed him as support to recover first, then he would see if she still needed him. He would take what came his way and ride out the waves. Closing his eyes he felt her intertwine their fingers together and he let a small smile tug at his lips.
As Brody watched Pride settled in to her bed for the night she was not sure what was going on here. She had crossed too many boundaries that day with him. There usual flirty banter had gone up a notch in autopsy when she asked him to stay when Loretta checked her over. It went up again when he stood holding her ass as he warmed it up, so he said. His obvious checking her out in her underwear and the comments about her ample cleavage. He was in a very playful mood and she liked it. As he relaxed she intertwined their fingers together and watched as he smiled. Tomorrow they would get up, if she could actual move, and he would be there to help her when she needed it. She wasn't sure where they would go from there but she would work it out when she needed to. For now she would sleep and let the man beside her look after her and as he said protect her.
AN1- soooo, do I leave it or continue till she's fit again? It could work either way.