Context: Jamie has just gotten out of prison, and Cathy is visiting him for the first time since then.

Coming Home

It was getting harder to see out the window as the rain fell harder against the glass. It was incredibly ironic that today, of all days, was overcast. Maybe this was some sort of symbolism, God's way of saying that things weren't going to end well. But wait, water was a sign of baptism, wasn't it? So technically, it was cleansing, making things new. And that was good…wasn't it?

Her head rested against the glass, watching the little rain droplets roll toward the ground. The clock behind her was rather loud at the moment: tick, tock, tick, tock…

She tried to ignore it, but each incessant beat brought a new worry.

Tick…

What if he wasn't even there?

Tock…

What if he'd gotten rearrested?

Tick…

What if the drug boss had gotten out and killed him?

Tock…

What if he didn't want to see her?

"Cathy?"

She looked up. Her older sister, Emma was standing by the door, her fame grim. "We'd better head out. Traffic's gonna be a nightmare."

Cathy rose, straightening her blouse absently. Her hands wouldn't hold still long enough for her to actually smooth the wrinkles.

Emma caught one of her hands, smiling. "It'll be fine, Cathy. Don't be nervous. Think of it as another visit."

She took a deep breath. "It's a bit different, now that there won't be so many rules."

"Isn't that good?"

She shrugged. "Well, considering we've seen each other for months in the same setting, maybe he'll change his mind. Maybe I'll change my mind."

Emma gave her hand a squeeze. "Whatever happens is for the best."

She nodded, studying the hardwood floor.

"But if you want my opinion," Emma whispered, "it's going to take all my energy to pry you two apart and get you back home."

Cathy was met with Emma's wry smile, and her spirits lifted the tiniest bit. She tried to focus on that brief moment of hope, but it would prove to be difficult. Not even five minutes later, Emma's car was stuck behind a long line that showed no sign of clearing up soon.

It was an agonizing half-hour. She twisted her hair through her fingers, yanking out several red-blond strands. She'd make herself bald if this kept up. She forced her hands away from her hair, wringing them so hard she winced.

"Cathy, calm down," Emma said, taking her eyes off the road for a moment. "I'll be there with you, okay? Everything's going to be fine."

It was easy for her to say. Emma wasn't the one who'd visited him in a dingy waiting room, saw him at his very worst, had to keep from crying sometimes at the helplessness on his face. Emma wasn't the one whose heart could potentially shatter.

They were suddenly turning down the familiar street. Cathy tensed, that unwelcome warmth rushing to her face.

"Breathe, Cathy…it'll be fine."

Emma parked the car in the driveway, reaching behind her for her umbrella. Cathy was waiting for her to open it when she looked out her window.

Stuart and his mum were in the doorway, looking at her. He was calling something over his shoulder, and less than a second later, someone pushed past the two, his gaze locking with her own.

Jamie.

She stepped out into the rain, not caring if she was getting soaked. He was there, looking a lot better than when she'd seen him a week ago. They stood in the rain, simply staring at each other, neither of them moving.

Things were definitely different. She no longer had to drive to the prison, no longer had to be searched, no longer had to wait on an uncomfortable chair to see him. They didn't have to cram a week's worth of speaking into two hours, or talk in hushed voices if someone else sat down nearby, or pretend things were perfectly alright.

No more limits.

But he still had time to turn away.

Why was he standing there? Why hadn't he moved yet? Cathy felt her heart sinking, and she almost turned around to get back in the car.

And suddenly, she felt his arms around her.

It had been such a very long time since they'd done this, she thought, hugging him around the waist. She'd missed it.

"I didn't think you'd come," he said, holding her closer.

"I didn't think you'd want to see me," she replied.

He laughed, something else he hadn't done in a while. "Why wouldn't I want to see you?"

"Changed your mind?" she offered weakly.

Jamie kissed the top of her head. "I don't think I could, at this point." He was silent for a moment. "And you…you still want this?"

She looked up at him, paying no attention to the raindrops falling in her eyes. "I've waited an entire year for you, Jamie Bradley."

"So…is that a yes?"

She answered him with a roll of her eyes before taking his face in her hands and kissing him, smiling when she felt him return it. They broke away, breathless, unaware that they were chilled to the bone from the rain. He arched an eyebrow and gave her a cheeky grin, and after that the only thing she was aware of were his lips on hers.

It was nice to know that some things hadn't changed.