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Chapter Sixteen: Here for You Part One

"John, hi I didn't know you were going to be here." Marty replied still stunned to see him sitting on her couch.

John got up from the couch saying, "Yeah, I didn't know I was going to be here either. I was going back to my place and I just sort of ended up here. I can go if you want."

"Your place? We don't live together?"

"No, we don't. We talked about it before . . . the accident but I uh I've got a key so don't stress over it."

Marty smacked her lips together in her usual reaction before moving past him to hang her coat, "You've got a key."

"If it makes you feel better, you've got a key to my place."

"I'd feel better if you stayed."

"You would?"

Marty shut her closet's door and turned around to face John, "Yes I would. You don't have to walk around on egg shells with me John. Don't you want everything to seem normal? I know I do."

John knew Marty pretty well and when he looked into her chocolate eyes he could see the tears threatening to spill over. He wrapped her in his arms as his hands moved up and down her back in a soothing motion.

Marty buried her head in his chest, inhaling his signature heady, masculine scent as she softly sniffled but never cried. Wiping her eyes she pulled back whispering, "I'm sorry. I'm just a mess. You don't have to stay if you don't want to. Not that I'm even sure what the hell I want."

"Why don't you sleep on it? I'll be here when you wake up and if you want me to stay, I'll stay."

"But I'm not tired. I've been sleeping . . . " John pressed a finger to her lips to silence her as he said, "Don't argue. You and the baby need your rest to stay healthy. Your bedroom's down the hall and to your right."

"Fine I'll go. But I won't sleep."

John laughed as he shook his head while watching Marty walk down the hallway until she disappeared from his view. Deciding to make himself useful he headed into the kitchen to make her some tea when she woke up since she couldn't have coffee. Afterwards he'd check in on her to make sure she got settled okay.

Marty looked around her bedroom which was pretty spacious with a master bath attached and a walk in closet. All in all she found it very nice. Her bed which was in the center of the room was a deep walnut colored platform bed covered with soft white cotton sheets, a matching down comforter and lots of fluffy pillows. Definitely better than a hospital bed.

Opening one of her deep walnut dresser's drawers she found it was filled with nothing but black clothes that held the same masculine heady scent as John. Closing it quickly she whispered to herself, "He has a drawer. Interesting."

Opening another drawer she found her pajamas and began looking through them to decide which ones to wear. Deciding on a pair of candy striped colored pajama pants and a simple cotton candy pink T-shirt she changed and then climbed into bed.

John walked by Marty's bedroom door after he was done starting her tea and cracked the door open just a little and found her sound asleep like he knew she would be. Her silk curls were spilled all over the pillows creating a halo around her head and before he could stop himself he walked into the room the rest of the way.

Knowing how sound of a sleeper she was he took off his shoes, slacks and shirt leaving himself in his usual sleep wear of black tank top and boxers. Carefully he climbed into the bed next to her. With her in the hospital this was one of the things he'd missed most, the simple act of sleeping next to her. With his face buried in her hair and her body next to his.

Marty didn't notice John sneak into her room or her bed as her mind went from a gentle slumber to a jumble of restlessness. She was starting to remember something.

Marty opened the door to her apartment revealing a tightly controlled bottle of anger otherwise known as Natalie Buchanan on the other side. Opening the door wider she sighed saying, "Come on in, Natalie. I take it this isn't a social call."

"I'm here about John."

"Well is he okay?"

"He's at home but he's not taking care of himself. He's not taking his pain medication because he wants to have a clear head." Natalie stated with the slightest tinge of malice in her voice.

"Well shouldn't taking his pain medication be his decision?"

"It's not just that! When he found out, Spencer was holding you hostage he was ready to bolt to the hospital to save you," She yelled in frustration, "He's not supposed to leave his room! It's like he feels he owes you but he won't tell me why!"

Marty sighed, "You know I can't tell you anything. It's doctor/patient privileged."

"That's not why I'm here. I want you to stay away from John."

John was slowly drifting asleep when he felt Marty begin to toss and turn next to him. Gently he shook her whispering, "Hey, hey lady wake up."

Marty's eyes flew open as she tried to make sense of what she remembered. Turning around her wild and wide-open chocolate eyes met John's concerned azure ones. Not knowing what else to do she flung herself into his arms.