Chapter 20
Nicole was now alone in her hospital room. She physically felt like shit. She felt extremely bad over the fact that she hurt Munch. But at least she managed to straighten things out with him and prove to him that she loved only him. Sighing deeply she closed her eyes.
"How could you do that to him?" Jamie asked walking into the room. She was still dressed in full SWAT gear, minus the rifle.
Nicole sat up. "Do what? To who?" she asked confused.
"John. He really thinks you're in love with Elliot. So are you?" Jamie said, her big boots clunking as she walked over to the bed.
"Before I answer. Tell me why you look like you just came out of a SWAT movie?"
Jamie looked down at herself. "There's a lot about me you don't know. But I was a member of HBT back in Chicago." HBT being the Hostage Barricade Team.
"Nice." Nicole said pulling the blanket around her, than started to play again with the bandages around her left wrist. She was more than tempted to just to rip them off.
"Okay, I answered your question. Now answer mine."
Nicole looked at her. "Well, I don't know where to start. I mean… I don't know what I mean." Nicole said looking down at the blanket.
"All right, I guess what I want to know is, were you in love with Elliot before you started seeing John?" Jamie asked sitting down.
Nicole looked at her, frowning. Where was all this coming from? The she knew. That stupid fucking psycho had put all these doubts in their minds. Now, she had to set things straight. "Are you out to make me look like some fucking slut bitch who belongs on a show like, Jerry Springer? Honestly, I'm not in love with Elliot." She said standing up. "Let's get something straight. I love Elliot, but I'm not in love with him."
"Well, maybe you should of thought about that before you slept with him." Jamie said standing up herself and looking Nicole straight in the eye.
"Excuse me. I've never slept with Elliot in my life? That fucking psycho started all this shit and left me to pick up the shattered pieces." Nicole said her voice rising in volume.
"Oh, so you're telling me that nothing happened between you and Elliot!" Jamie yelled at her.
"Open your ears! That's exactly what I'm saying. God, you are just making things worse."
Just then the door opened and Fin, Munch, Elliot and Olivia walked into the room. "What the hell is going on in here?" Olivia asked.
"How can you say that? Did nothing I've said sink in?" Nicole asked, her voice still raised.
Jamie was right in her face. "You are unbelievable. Why would that guy say those things if they weren't true!" Jamie continued to yell.
"To ruin my fucking life. That's why!" Nicole said not backing down, though the yelling was making her head throb more, she wasn't about to go down.
"Do you even really care about him?" Jamie asked. Now she was referring to Munch.
Nicole took a step forward. "Who are you to even ask that? It's not like you've been here that long. And you have no fucking idea what has happened in our past."
Jamie was stunned. "Okay, so I haven't been here that long." she said lowering her voice slightly. "And maybe I don't know about your past but you still have no right to do what you've done."
"Okay, so I fucked up. What else is new? We're not perfect you know. And I bet your love past ain't so squeaky clean."
"No, it's not. But I've never used anyone before." Jamie stated.
Munch and the group had their mouths open. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. "Whoa. Ladies, calm down." Munch commented, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"Used? Used?" Nicole's voice rose. "I never used him. I'm in love him. You of all people should know that. And I am sure as fucking hell know that you in you're past have used someone at one point and time. You can't tell me that you didn't use people when you were undercover with Fin."
"Yes, when I was undercover with Fin I did use people. We both did." Jamie said calming down and then placed a hand on Nicole's shoulder. "You really do love him don't you.
Nicole was on the verge of tears. She looked at Jamie and nodded. "I… I do. But I'll say it again, to get them to penetrate that thick skull of yours, I'm in love with John, not Elliot."
Elliot stood there, dumbfounded. His worst fears were finally imagined. Nicole was in love with Munch, not him.
Nicole looked around and noticed who was in the room. She sighed deeply, now she knew things were about to get tough. Not only was Munch there but so was Elliot. And she wasn't ready to explain what had happened there. She sat down on her bed and looked at them.
Jamie took a breath herself and looked at Nicole.
Munch looked at Nicole and then walked over to the bed. "It's okay, sweetheart." he said and sat down beside her.
Nicole couldn't help but look away. Nothing like being put in the spotlight. She and Munch on multiple occasions had said they loved each other. But now it was the first time that Nicole admitted to being in love with him.
Jamie, who had plopped herself in the chair by the bed, looked at Nicole and Munch. "Tell him, Nic. He has a right to know how you feel." Jamie stated.
She looked at the group and than at Munch. She looked at him a little worried. She kind of figured that if the group knew than for sure that she would be transferred out, and everything would just get worse. "I… I…" she started than sighed.
Now Jamie was beginning to get frustrated and she stood up. "Just spit it out for fuck sake!" Jamie yelled.
"Excuse me?" Nicole asked turning her attention to Jamie and the group. "Can I just talk to John alone?"
Jamie didn't move from the spot she was in until she felt someone take her arm. She turned her head and saw Fin next to her. "Come on, Jamie, let's go." he said.
Jamie and the rest left. Nicole looked at Munch. She really couldn't look at him that long, until she found that she was talking to him without even thinking. "John, I, I don't know what to say. I don't even know how much you heard between me and Jame. And I'm scared, if that makes any sense. I mean, I don't know how you'd react to my answer, I don't know what will happen cause I'm sure the crew knows and I don't…"
Munch sat on the bed next to her and looked at her. "Nic, hey, listen to me. You don't have to be scared to share your feelings with me. We've known each other too long to be afraid." he said gently.
"John, this is the only time I have been. Because I don't know how you'll react. I don't even know at this point how I truly feel about the whole thing. I'm just so confused." She said looking at him, her whole facial expression worried and confused.
Munch noticed her worried expression and pulled her into his arms. "It's okay. Take some time and think about what you really want to do. But I just want you to know that I'll be here anytime you need me."
"I know we've both said we love each other before but I've come to realize that I'm in love with you, John. I mean, I don't even know if you feel the same way." she confessed.
Munch was taken aback at her sudden forwardness. But then he let her go, placed his hand on her cheek and turned her to look at him. "I'm in love with you too, Nicole." he confessed and then leaned in and gently kissed her.
Jamie suddenly entered into the room. "Are you done tell… telling him… that uh… that uh… you… you… yeah… Oops… I guess I shoulda…" Jamie stammered as Fin appeared and pulled her away.
"Sorry about that." Fin said as he pushed Jamie away and closed the door.
Munch looked at Nicole and started to laugh. "Remind me to thank Fin later." Munch said.
"For what?" Nicole asked.
"For pulling Jamie's ass out of here. I want to be alone with you right now." Munch replied and kissed Nicole again.
//Chung Chung//
Jamie looked at Fin. "Okay, I guess that answers my question about how they feel about each other?"
Fin looked at her seriously. "Can I ask you something, Jamie? Why were you being so protective of John during all this?" he asked.
"Well, someone had to."
Fin sighed. "Yeah, well, attacking Nicole while she's in the hospital didn't really help matters."
"I know. I just had to make sure that she wasn't hurting John."
"Listen, I know you and I know her. I know she loves John. I saw it written all over her face in that warehouse."
"I just had to make sure."
"Okay, well, now that you know. Will you let it go and leave them be?"
She looked at him. "I guess so."
"Good." Fin said and pulled Jamie to him. "You know I love you don't you?"
Jamie looked at Fin and smiled. "I'd never doubt you, Fin."
Fin smiled back and then leaned in and kissed her.
//Chung Chung//
Olivia stopped Elliot in the waiting room. "Hey do you need to talk? I mean about that scene that we witnessed in Nic's room." She asked. She was concerned about just how Elliot was going to take this whole matter. She knew he was in love with Nicole but now it was apparent that she didn't feel the same way about him.
Elliot looked at Olivia. "I don't know what the hell to think about that scene." he said sitting down.
"C'mon, talk to me, El." Olivia pushed.
Elliot looked down at his feet and sighed. "Ever since Nicole came back from D.C. I've realized I'm in love with her. But it's just not gonna work out. It's as simple as that."
"Elliot," Olivia started, "You knew those two were close before she left for Washington. You knew how much time they spent together before she left, I just, I don't know what to tell you. I mean you two will always have something special."
Elliot nodded. "Yeah, I know. But I can't help but wish we had something more."
"I understand. But you can't let this stop your friendship. I mean she needs you just as much as any of us, after what happened." Olivia said.
Just then Gibbs made his way back into the waiting room. Along with the rest of the NCIS team.
Olivia stood up and glared at Gibbs. "Just what are you doing here?" She asked frowning.
"We're here to see Nicole." he said.
"The hell you are!" Elliot yelled. "You have no right to be here!"
"We have every right to be here. We helped get her back." Ziva stated.
Gibbs glared at Elliot and took off to the room where Jamie and Fin were still standing. "Hey, Gibbs and his team are here. I guess Elliot is having a shit fit." Fin said to Jamie.
"Uh, you might want to wait a few minutes." Jamie said.
Gibbs stopped and looked at her. "Why is that?" he asked.
"She's in there with, John. They need some time to sort a few things out."
Tony looked at her. "Hey, boss, maybe you should way a few minutes." he said looking back to Gibbs.
Gibbs nodded and sat down in a chair. After ten minutes of waiting he decided to take a chance and knocked on the door. "Am I interrupting?" he asked peeking his head in the door.
Nicole sighed. "No, it's okay."
"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Gibbs said.
"She's gonna be fine." Munch stated.
Gibbs looked at Nicole. "I guess it's no use to ask you to reconsider and come back to NCIS?"
"Thanks for the offer, Gibbs, but I'm happy here." Nicole answered and smiled at Munch.
"That's good to know." Munch said and smiled back.
Gibbs nodded. "Okay, I figured as much. But before we leave everyone wants to say goodbye."
Nicole looked at Gibbs and nodded. "Sure."
Gibbs went to the door and called everyone in. Tony, Ziva and McGee entered the room. "Never a dull moment around you, is it?" Tony asked smiling.
Nicole laughed. "No, that would be too easy."
"How... are you... feeling?" McGee asked.
"I'm okay, McGee. Thanks for asking."
"Any chance you'll come back with us?" Ziva asked.
"No, but I appreciate the fact that you guys are here."
Gibbs looked at her surprised. "Glad to here it." he said.
Tony looked at his watch and then to Gibbs. "Hey, boss, we have to get back to D.C."
Gibbs nodded and then looked back to Nicole. "You take care of yourself, okay."
"I will. Thanks again for coming."
Gibbs smiled and then left the room. At least this time the NCIS team were leaving New York on a good note. Well, with Nicole, Munch, Fin and Jamie anyway. Elliot and Olivia were another story.
"Someone want to explain to me, how he knows you?" Jamie asked sticking her head into the room looking at Nicole.
Munch sighed when he saw Jamie. He was never going to be alone with Nicole. Nicole sat on her bed and looked at Jamie. "I first met him over a year ago when we worked a case together."
"What happened on that case?" Jamie asked.
Munch looked at Nicole, than Jamie. Nicole took a breath. "We were hunting down a perp. Gibbs and I went to his apartment to talk to him, and when I said we should call for back up, Gibbs didn't listen. So we entered the apartment."
"Sounds like a few people I know." Jamie interrupted.
Nicole smiled. "Anyway, we entered the room and started clearing it. When I saw the perp who was pointing a gun at Gibbs. I pushed Gibbs down to the ground."
"And got shot yourself." Munch commented.
Nicole looked at Munch. "And if Fin and Elliot didn't show up at that time and shot the guy, God knows what would have happened."
"Whoa, wait a minute." Jamie said throwing up her hands. "Okay, Nicole you got shot, Elliot killed the guy. Why did you go to work in Washingtion?"
"I don't know. I mean, after I came back to work; and worked here four months. I figured I need something new, something different." Nicole answered.
Jamie shook her head. "And I bet you regretted it the moment you left, right?"
"Actually, no. I didn't begin to feel homesick until I talked to Fin on the phone. After that I realized I never should have left. Although, it was my talk with John that really sealed the deal and had me really wanting to come back." Nicole explained.
Munch smiled. "I'm glad I called you then." he said.
"Okay, so why did he come back here? Was he looking for you to go back with him? Or was it really just to help us find you?" Jamie asked.
"Both actually. But I told him I was happy right where I am."
Jamie shook her head. "Well you were a idiot for leaving in the first place."
"Tell me something I don't already know." Nicole said.
Munch looked at Nicole and then back to Jamie. "Can you leave us alone for awhile?" Munch asked.
Jamie frowned but then nodded. "Yeah, okay, sure." she said, opened the door and walked out.
Once Jamie left, Munch walked over to the door and flipped the lock. "Now we won't be interrupted anymore."
"Are you sure she ain't gunna pick the lock?" Nicole asked than sighed.
"Maybe I'll put a chair under the doorknob, you know just to be on the safe side." Munch smirked.
//Chung Chung//
Jamie sighed. "Well that was fun. What's next?" She asked Fin as she walked up to him with Elliot and Olivia.
"Next? Fun? Are you nuts?" Elliot asked.
"You haven't realized that by now, Elliot?" Olivia stated. "I figured that out when I saw her in the SWAT gear."
"C'mon." Jamie said crossing her arms. "John locked to door. So we have to find something else to do. But than again I could always pick the lock."
"Jamie, stay away from the room. Leave them be alone for awhile." Fin said.
"Fine. Okay, let's go get drunk." Jamie suggested.
"You guys go ahead. I just want to go home." Elliot said.
"You sure, Elliot?" Olivia asked. "It might do you some good."
"No, I need to be alone right now."
"Okay. We'll see you later than."
"Yeah." Elliot said and left.
"Alright, let's get out of here." Fin stated.
TBC...