Phew - I feel like I've been workin' on this chapter forever! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas or other holiday should you not celebrate X-Mas...either way I hope you all got some nice goodies in this holiday season.
As always thanks for reviews/alerts so without further adoooo...
Josie, Colin and Emma trudged along the quiet streets towards Pete's flat, an awkward silence surrounding them. Colin had his arm wrapped around Josie's shoulders and Emma's was wrapped around her waist.
"I'm glad you came Col," Josie said quietly while her brother squeezed her shoulder softly.
"We were worried sick about you Jo. Plus Pete had called after that shit at the Abbey. I thought I was going to have to get on a plane to kill him for letting you get hurt but then…" he trailed off awkwardly.
Josie bit her lip to stop more tears from falling and Emma cut in, "Yeah well – we're all just tickled you're here but let's not throw the words 'Pete' and 'kill' into the same sentence, kay?"
Colin's eyes widened in shock at the glare on Emma's face and Josie snorted slightly, "Em – its fine. Tact has never been one of Colin's greatest qualities."
Both Emma and Colin laughed lightly at her words and the rest of the short walk was done in comfortable silence. Once they finally reached Pete's flat, Josie let them in with her key and cringed at the sight that met her. There were boxes of her stuff strewn about everywhere including suitcases filled with clothes and shoes and stacks of books piled on every surface.
"Holy hell, what happened here?" Emma asked in surprise, taking in the mess.
"Member I said my lease was up and I was movin' in with Pete? Poor timing unfortunately, so the boys had to move me since I refused to leave the hospital," she replied as her brown eyes scanned the cluttered room, "Which I am slightly regretting at this time." She gave a slight groan, "Ugh – this is gonna be a nightmare to get in order."
"Yeah – you are fucked," Colin said, stressing the singular 'you' before picking through the maze of belongings to plop onto the couch while he flicked on the TV. Emma gave Josie a sympathetic look before turning to follow Colin to the couch, neither of them willing to be helpful apparently.
Josie blew a puff of air out, "Thanks so much guys," she grumbled, "I'm gonna take a quick shower then head back to the hospital." Turning without even looking to see if they'd heard her she walked quickly into Pete's bedroom.
Glancing around the small room she felt a pang in her heart at the ruffled bed sheets and the clothes casually thrown across his bed waiting for their owner to return. She ran her hand along the bed, longing for the warmth that usually came with it. Looking around his room, trying to fight the tears that were always lurking just under the surface, she smiled slightly at a picture of her and Pete that was propped up on the mirror of his bureau.
Josie stared at the photo, taking in the way she fit into the crook of Pete's arm and the way he was staring down at her lovingly while she grinned back at the camera. She looked longingly at the living Pete, staring at his handsome and unmarred face, wondering if it would ever look like that again. Turning away hurriedly, she rushed into the bathroom to escape the memories his bedroom held.
Showering quickly and dressing even faster, Josie exited the bedroom after just fifteen minutes to see Colin and Emma still seated on the couch, talking quietly and leaning in to each other. She was just about to open her mouth to say she was ready to go when a loud bang on the door startled her.
Both Emma and Colin jumped slightly, looking at Josie in confusion, "Odd – any of the boys would just barge right in." She felt an odd flutter in the pit of her stomach as she walked towards the door.
Pulling it open, she was confronted with the sight of two men, wearing rumpled suits and looking a bit worse for the wear. Arching an eyebrow, her eyes narrowed slightly as the younger of the two looked her up and down hungrily, "Can I help you?" she asked, slightly rougher than intended.
"We're from the Metropolitan police, we're here to speak to Pete Dunham," the older man said, staring down at her with a bored look on his face.
Josie felt her mouth go dry, yet her temper bubbled furiously and Colin was instantly at her side, tugging at her arm gently in an attempt to rein her in, "You'll have a tough time of that," she said angrily.
"Miss, you need to understand we need to talk to him in regards to a very important criminal matter," the younger man said arrogantly, peering around her as though Pete was hiding behind the couch, "So step aside – this is police business."
"I'm not hiding him – Pete's in a coma, has been for ten days. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to hospital to attend to my fiancé. Good day," she said, going to slam the door in the two men's faces when the older one stuck his foot in the door to stop her.
The lines on his face softened slightly as he handed her a card with his name printed on it, "Detective Cross –" he said, holding out a hand, "If you are in fact his fiancé – Josephine Murphy – we'll need to be speaking with you as well."
Josie took the card with a shaking hand, staring unseeing at the card now clutched in her palm, "Now?" she asked in a strangled voice.
Detective Cross nodded, "I'm afraid so." He gently pushed the door open and walked into the room while the younger man behind him swaggered in his steps. Josie sighed and followed to the two men as they took seats around the kitchen table. She gritted her teeth at how comfortable they made themselves, especially the younger one who kicked his feet up and set them on an empty chair.
"Take a seat Miss," the younger man said, "I'm Detective DiNozzo."
"Actually," Detective Cross said, "Its junior detective. Show some respect – put yer feet down." He snapped as a blush crept up his partner's face. He turned to face Josie with a softer look, "Please – sit," he said, gesturing to an empty seat.
"Thanks for the offer in my own kitchen," she grumbled and her brother placed a soothing arm on her shoulder and she plopped into the seat, "Detective Cross," she addressed the older man, completely ignoring his partner, "Do we really need to do this now? I'd like to get back to the hospital."
"Please call me Tim. And unfortunately we do need to do this now. We'll try to make this as painless as possible," the detective's eyes scanned Josie's face, lingering on the faded bruise around her right eye. "Could you please explain to us what occurred at the Brigid Abbey pub on March 21st?"
Josie bit her lip, feeling it tremble slightly as her mind went over all that had occurred, the memories still too fresh and painful. Colin squeezed her shoulder and she heard Emma give an aggravated huff, "Is this entirely necessary? I don't think you lot have the right to just barge in like this and bother poor Josie when she's been through enough."
Detective Cross heaved a great sigh and addressed Emma, "Ma'am – we're not tryin' to bother Miss Murphy but there are currently two open investigations that involve her either directly or indirectly. Now," he said, turning back to Josie, "You were admitted to East London Hospital on the night of the 21st. Could you please explain what occurred?"
Emma opened her mouth to argue again but Josie held up a hand to stop her, "I was working. Men came in fighting. I fell, hit my head and Pete brought me to the hospital. That's all I know." She finished stubbornly, "Now – may I please return to the hospital, I'd rather not be here while he's there."
Detective Cross sighed and rubbed his graying temples, "Alright but we'll be needin' to talk to you both when he wakes up."
Josie gave a short nod, rising from her chair quickly and walking towards the door to pull it open, waving the two men out of the flat. DiNozzo walked hurriedly out first, barely sparing her a glance while Detective Cross picked up the card she'd left on the table. Pressing it into her hand as he walked by her he said, "Please call when he's awake. I'm being lenient now but I won't be if you dodge me."
Josie nodded, hand trembling slightly as she took his card again, "Thank you. I will call," she said, hoping she could keep her promise as the two men walked out of the flat and she closed the door with a click.
She turned and leaned against the door, throwing her head into it with a thud while both Colin and Emma looked on, not knowing what more to say about this new turn of events.
"Well the hits just keep on comin', huh?" she said to no one in particular. "Let's get outta here before another someone else comes along to ruin my life."
Colin and Emma exchanged worried glances that Josie failed to notice as she was already throwing a coat on and hurrying out the door to get back to Pete's side. In her mind the only thing that mattered was Pete waking up, she'd deal with the consequences of the fight when he was alive and well. Nothing mattered until he was awake, not Detective Cross or his wormy companion nothing but Pete was important to her right now.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
The familiar sound of Pete's heart monitor broke through Josie's subconscious. Opening her eyes slowly she realized she'd fallen asleep with her head on Pete's stomach. She looked up at him, grimacing as always at the sight of his silent frame. She glanced at her watch to see it was just past two in the morning.
Day thirteen, she thought bitterly as she rubbed her aching shoulders, I can't take this much more. Between her brother's arrival and the meeting with the detectives her nerves were frayed beyond repair and she was running on empty. Her days were spent sitting in Pete's hospital room, chatting with the various visitors that filtered through each day and trying to finish up the semester without being in the library. Everything was hanging on by a thread and if Pete didn't wake up soon ...well, she couldn't even stomach that thought.
She perched herself on the edge of his bed, holding one of Pete's hands tightly while running her fingers along his face gently. She smiled slightly, tracing the scar just above his eyebrow that he'd got when he was hell bent on make-up sex rather than letting her fix it up. The shadows allowed her to pretend that he was just sleeping versus being in a coma while covered in bruises that were now molted and yellow.
Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips and to her utter shock and amazement, Pete pressed his lips back to hers. Josie's eyes snapped open and stared directly into the blue eyes that had been haunting her dreams, "Is this heaven?" Pete whispered roughly, voice scratchy from disuse.
Suddenly tears were pouring down her face while she stared in astonishment into his eyes, "Oh me God – you're awake," she cried out, pulling him into her arms and hugging him tight, "You kept your promise." She mumbled, kissing him over and over on his lips and cheeks and eyelids while staring into his wide eyes, amazed at the life behind them.
Reluctantly, she pulled away, sprinting out of the room to find a doctor to ensure that he was healthy after his prolonged nap. Spying Dr. Cole who'd let her stay on a permanent basis she ran at him, waving her arms frantically, "He's awake! He's awake! Please, come quick."
Not waiting to see if he was following her she turned to sprint back to Pete's room leaving Dr. Cole trailing behind her. She saw Pete trying to struggle into a sitting position and she rushed to his side to help him, "Fuck me – I feel terrible." He grumbled and Josie gave a watery grin in his direction.
"You shouldn't, you big jerk, you've been out for thirteen days," Pete's eyes widened slightly at her words but he didn't get a chance to respond as he was suddenly being poked and prodded by the doctor. He felt miserable, every part of him ached and his mouth felt so dry it was as though he'd been wandering around a desert for the past two weeks.
As the doctor continued to check his vitals, asking him a million questions the only thing he was fully conscious of was Josie's hand gripping his tightly. He drank in the sight of her, taking in the huge bags under her eyes and how pale and tired she looked but to him, seeing her in person was the most gorgeous sight he'd ever seen. The puffiness from her eye that he'd remembered was gone, replaced by a barely there mark and her bangs covered what he expected would be a scar from her head wound. Other than that, she was beautiful, alive and his.
"Thirteen days, eh?" he croaked out, squeezing her hand, "You'll have to fill me in on everything."
Pete stared back at her and Josie felt her eyes fill with tears again, "Course – but the doctors have to make sure you're alright first."
He tried to smirk back at her but it came out as a grimace instead, "Miss Josie?" The doctor interrupted.
"Hmm?" she responded, her eyes never leaving Pete's face, staring deeply into his blue eyes as he stared back at her.
"I know you may fight me on this but we're going to have to fully check him out…" Dr. Cole said, looking down at her, hoping she wouldn't react poorly.
"So I have to leave," she finished for him.
Josie managed to drag her eyes from Pete's face and she grinned up at him, "Fine," she said, heaving a theatric sigh, "I suppose I have to listen to you since you did let me stay here on a permanent basis.
Pete's eyes moved back and forth between Josie and the doctor, trying to figure out what had happened, "You mean to tell me you never left?"
"It's quite a lady you've got 'ere," the doctor answered for her, "Threatened every nurse or doctor that tried to get her to leave, persistent little one." He said with a grin.
Josie shrugged casually, "You were here, I was here." She told him, staring back into his eyes. Pete tried to lean forward to kiss her but she beat him to it and jumped to her feet to kiss his lips gently, "Now you're allowed to go get checked out but I expect you to make a full recovery immediately, got it?"
He managed to smile back at her, "Pinky promise," he said, linking his pinky with hers.
Dr. Cole gently moved Josie to the side as they wheeled Pete out of the room. Suddenly, feeling weak she collapsed into the chair she'd spent nearly two weeks in, a rush of emotions flowing through her. Tears of happiness, rather than the usual ones of despair, poured down her face. Awake, awake, awake, her mind shouted happily.
She closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to dream of the following days and weeks and months and years that she would have with him. Alive, was her last coherent thought as she dozed off with a smile on her face for the first time in weeks.
"Joze, I'm not bein' wheeled out like some invalid, I can walk," Pete said stubbornly as Josie fussed about him as he prepared to be discharged from the hospital after a sixteen day stay.
She rolled her eyes, "Babe, just fuckin' sit in the wheelchair. I'm not arguing about this with you," she replied, placing her hands on her hips and glaring up at him menacingly.
Pete stared down into her eyes, leaning in to kiss her before giving in, "Fine, but only cause yer kinda cute when you're angry."
"Aw so sweet," a familiar voice said from the door.
They both turned to see Swill, Dave, Ike, Ned, Keith and Terry all standing with matching grins on their faces, "Happy to see you've joined the living world Dunham," Terry said loudly.
The boys walked into the room, slapping Pete's back and shouting loudly, all trying to be heard over the other voices. The seriousness of what had occurred in the past weeks was quickly fading into just another GSE memory. Josie watched with a soft smile on her face at the sight of the reunion though she couldn't shake the feeling that the boys were thinking of this as another close call rather than the eye opener it should be.
"Don't you lot want to get out of 'ere by now?" another voice joined the fray and Josie looked over to see Dr. Cole who had been so good to her over the past few weeks. Once Pete had woken up he'd ensured that he had the best care and had even helped put them in touch with a proper physical therapist for his knee which had been completely destroyed by Hatcher.
"Tryin' to, stubborn bird is makin' me be wheeled out," Pete responded, grinning slightly as he stood on still unsteady feet. Josie came forward and wrapped her arm around his waist and he looked down at her face, kissing her cheek softly.
"You are a pain in my ass, Dunham." She responded, rolling her eyes at him but holding on to him even tighter than before, "Now sit." She ordered, pointing at the chair. He finally obliged gently lowering himself into the chair as the rest of the boys shouted goodbyes and filed out of the room slowly.
Pete watched curiously as Josie left his side to speak quietly with Swill who grinned down at her before patting her shoulder and hurrying down the hallway, "Now I expect you to drop in occasionally when you're here for therapy. Bring Miss Josie too – everyone around 'ere will miss her."
Dr. Cole ordered him, handing him yet another prescription to add to the numerous ones he'd already been given, "You got it doc – and thank you," he said, holding out his hand, "For everything." Pete shook his hand firmly, distracted when Josie reappeared at his side.
"Ready Pete?" she asked, smiling down at him, brown eyes sparkling.
"Whenever you are," he responded, taking her hand in his and twirling her engagement ring around her finger. The past few days since he'd woken up had been hellish but having Josie constantly by his side especially with the ring sparkling on her finger was all the motivation he really needed.
Saying their final goodbyes to Dr. Cole, Josie wheeled Pete down the hallway and quickly out of the hospital. Pete saw his car sitting waiting for them just past the exit and smiled at the sight. He tried to leap out of the chair, forgetting how slow his new body was. The pain that shot up his leg was a constant reminder of the work he still had to do. Stepping on it gingerly, he reluctantly used the crutches Josie handed him.
"Baby – it's gonna take time, don't push it," she said softly. Pete gritted his teeth at her words, knowing she was right but hating how weak he was, "Come on – in ya go."
Pete raised a terrified eyebrow, "Yer drivin'?"
Josie rolled her eyes as she opened the passenger door for him, "Yes." She replied shortly, helping him into the car. He bit his tongue knowing she was trying to help but to be honest he was petrified, Josie was shit at driving stick.
Fifteen minutes later Josie and Pete lurched into the spot outside their flat and he cringed for about the hundredth time at the grinding of the gears, "See," she said while turning to him with a bright smile, "I did it!"
"Barely," he grumbled though he couldn't help but smile at how excited she was over the small victory of getting them home alive. Pete stepped carefully out of the car and Josie was instantly at his side, helping him up the stairs slowly. He kept pausing every few steps, leg throbbing but happily used the opportunity to kiss Josie softly while they continued their slow journey up to his – their, he thought gleefully – flat.
The days spent in a coma were all a dark blur of barely there memory but he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, the visions of Josie and their life together had been his only reason to hold on. He'd woken up to a changed world: Shannon had left his brother and gone back to the States with Ben, the Abbey was partly burnt down, the GSE was in shambles and he'd managed to land himself in a coma for nearly two weeks. The happy ease of his prior life was gone, replaced with a murky future.
"Oi this hurts like fuck," Pete grumbled as they finally reached his door. Josie rolled her eyes and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek softly.
"Oh relax Dunham, you've been at it for three days and you're already walkin' semi-ok…you'll be fine babe, it'll just take a bit of effort," she said, staring up at him. Pete tucked a stray piece of her bangs behind her ear, leaning forward to kiss her.
"I love you. I'm sorry for what I put you through – I never should've left like that. It's just…revenge for my brother and for you was the only thing on my mind," Pete said, unsure of what else to say. He couldn't help but feel guilty over having left her to stage the fight with Tommy.
Tears shone in her eyes but she blinked them away, "You came back – that's all I ever asked." She squeezed his hand gently before pushing open the door of the flat, "Welcome home Pete."
They walked into the flat together and Pete grinned to see Josie's stuff moved into his place. There were still boxes stacked in the corners, making the place seem even smaller than it already was but to be honest they could both care less. It was their first home together and the size of it didn't matter.
"You all right?" Josie asked in concern and Pete was suddenly aware of just how exhausted he was. This was the most energy he'd expended since he'd woken up and he could do with a lie down.
"Actually I could go for a nap," he said honestly, "But only if you come too." He said hopefully. Josie had been able to stay at the hospital since he woke up but not able to actually stay in the same bed with him. He was still in a whole lot of pain but he'd do anything just to be able to touch her again.
"Oh you thought I'd be sleepin' on the couch? Don't think so mister," she said with a grin on her face.
They made their way towards the bedroom, completely caught up in each other so when Josie shoved the door open they were wholly unprepared for the sight that met their eyes: Colin and Emma, both ass naked and tangled up in each others' limbs.
"Oh my God – EW!" Josie cried out in horror, startling the pair as Emma went flying of the bed and Colin grabbed for a sheet to cover himself.
"Shut the fuckin' door," Colin screamed at her and Pete slammed the door shut, fighting a laugh at the situation as he watched Josie flap her arms in hysterics.
"Oh-my-God-oh-my-God-oh-my-God," Josie mumbled all one word as her face turned crimson, "What in all that is holy is going on? My eyes are burning – burning!" she yelled as she paced the small room. She stepped back to the bedroom door and started pounding her fists against, "Get dressed and get out here you…you…you sinners!" she yelped.
Pete bit his lip to stop from laughing as he approached her carefully and pulled her from the door, "Joze – sinners?" he asked, "Fer fuckssake we've had more sex together than I imagine the two of them have had combined in the last five years."
Josie held up a hand, indicating he should really keep his mouth shut, "Don't. I am so scarred for life it's not even funny."
"Aw Joze," Pete said, advancing towards her and resting his crutches against the kitchen table so he could pull her into his arms, "Think of it this way: if it all works out Emma will really be your sister."
She pulled a face and Pete kissed her nose softly as she started to speak, "You don't get it – Colin's…well he's not exactly what you'd call a good guy. He prefers to use women until he tires of them then he brutally dumps them. I don't want to lose Emma because my brother is a horny prick."
"Well," Pete started carefully, unsure how to phrase this without angering her, "To be honest that was me until I met you. Maybe he just needs to meet his match like I did," he said softly, threading his hands through her hair and kissing her forehead gently.
Josie let out a deep sigh and opened her mouth to reply but shut it quickly as the door to the bedroom opened and a red-faced Emma slinked out, followed by Colin who was stubbornly holding his head up with a glare on his face, "Don't even give me that look, you're the idiot who decided to fuck in my bed," Josie said with a glare.
Colin's nostrils flared at her words and he returned her look with an equally hard one, "Not your business Josie Jo, you shoulda knocked."
"Knocked?!" she screeched at her brother and both Pete and Emma cringed at the noise but Colin simply stared at her with a bored look on his face. Pete was surprised that the quietest of her brothers could act like this, he'd come to equate Colin with a more docile man but this side of him was a surprise. He was suddenly tense, concerned only with protecting Josie from her rather large brother.
"Joze, I'm sorry… it just kinda happened, I was going to talk to you about it but you've been through so much I didn't want to upset you even more," Emma cut in, throwing a glare in Colin's direction.
Josie's face softened slightly at her friend, "Not your fault I'm sure Em…but would you mind maybe letting me talk to Col alone?"
Emma nodded her head, looking relieved that Josie wasn't yelling at her and seemed to be concentrating all her anger on her brother, "Sure – call me later." She walked forward and hugged Josie carefully before picking up her bag and turning to leave but was stopped when Colin pulled her into a hug and kissed her deeply, letting her go with a smirk. Emma practically stumbled out the door in her haste to get out of the tense flat.
As the door closed with a click, Josie whirled around to face her brother, "Jesus Christ Colin – how many times have I asked you to not fuck my friends?"
"Christ Joze relax," Colin replied, rolling his eyes at her, "Did you ever think I actually really like her?" he said softly. Pete stared at him, sighing internally that her brother wasn't just playing around with Emma.
But to his surprise Josie gave a derisive snort, "How many times have I heard that line?"
Colin's face turned to stone and he turned to grab his coat, "Whatever – I'll get a hotel if my choices upset you so much." With that he stormed out of the flat before Josie even had a chance to respond.
At the sound of the slamming door Josie cringed and Pete advanced towards her slowly, "Babe?"
"Ugh," she sighed heavily, "I could just kill him sometimes if I didn't love him so much."
Pete smiled at her words and as he reached her he pulled her into his arms, "Never a dull moment with you, huh?"
"I know," she whined softly before standing on tiptoe to press her lips to his, "Fuck the lot of 'em, how about that nap?"
Pete grinned down at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Thank you for coming back to me," she whispered into his lips.
"Like I'd ever have let you weasel out of marrying me," he took her hand and led her back to his bedroom, limping along slowly but looking forward to falling asleep with her in his arms.
As they reached the bed Josie pulled his hand to stop him from laying down, "Wait!" she cried before he could touch the bed and he paused wondering how she wasn't exhausted, "I have got to change these sheets."
He's back, yay! Hope you liked it...lots of thoughts goin' on in my little brain & reviews help me get those ideas onto paper (or Word docs as the case may be.)