This actually came to me in the shower. I guess that's where I get all my ideas. I thought it'd be interesting to look at how Jamie's time in jail affected him, at least a little bit. So here's some angst and fluff and general Camie that everyone loves.

Learning from the Past

"Bradley."

He'd learned to answer to his last name. His head immediately jerked upward, one of the prison guards unlocking the cell door.

"I assume I don't have to relay the rules to you, do I?"

He shook his head, setting aside the book he had in his hands.

"Alright, then. Let's go."

He stood, following the guard down the dingy hallway. A few wolf whistles sounded from the nearby cells, accompanied by some wolfish grins. "Get it, Bradley!"

He said nothing, fighting the blush that reached the tips of his ears. He hated how small the community here was; everyone knew everyone else's business, and of course they all knew who visited him nearly every week.

They entered the room with the phone bank, and he took his usual seat at the third one from the left. He sat straight, hands folded on the table in front of him, watching for the door on the other side of the glass to open. He felt his palms sweat as he waited, swallowing hard and trying to ignore the guard who stood a few feet behind him.

Light shone in as the door opened. Another guard walked in, and there she was, following timidly behind. He felt his heart skip a few beats, much as it always did when he saw her. They had precious few hours together each week, and he cherished ever second he had in her presence.

He picked up the phone, holding it to his ear.

"Hey, Cathy."

"Hi, Jamie."

They could talk about anything in the two hours they were allotted, and they tried to keep thing interesting. It wasn't as if Jamie's time in prison was particularly exciting, and Cathy was still taking classes at uni, meaning she was inside learning for most of the week. But they managed, especially since Cathy had started lending Jamie some books to pass the time.

"So how are you liking Agnes Grey?"

"She just left Horton Lodge to teach with her mum. She's never gonna see that Weston bloke again, is she?"

"It picks up, don't worry."

"When? She never goes for him. He's perfectly single, and she lets him drift away."

"Just keep at it, okay? I have another book for you, since you're almost done." She held up a thick blue volume. "I finally found it on Emma's bookshelf."

"Took you long enough. I have to get caught up, now that I've seen all the movies."

"This one's a bit lengthy, and Harry gets angsty, fair warning."

"I think I can take it." He glanced sadly at the clock on the wall, realizing it was five minutes to three. "I…suppose we should…"

"Right." She blinked, realizing the book would't fit under the slit of space in the window; she set it aside, sliding the fingers of her right hand through. His breath hitched as he moved his left hand to meet her, their fingers lightly brushing.

"I'll be back next week, alright?"

He nodded, unable to say more. He stood, looking imploringly at the guard on his side of the glass. "Could…could we…"

The guard unlocked the door leading to the other side. "Make it quick."

Jamie felt his heart leap into his throat as he walked over the threshold, taking in Cathy's startled face. He brushed it off, striding forward and bringing her into the circle of his arms.

It was rare that the guards would let them do this. Usually he wouldn't eve ask, but today he needed to feel her here, not just hear her voice, not just touch her fingers under the glass. It was difficult to see her each week, knowing he couldn't be with her like this, longing to have her on the other side of the glass, if only to hold her hand.

He could feel her arms clinging to him, her face buried in his shoulder, her entire body wracked with sobs. He rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Come on, now, Cathy…it's alright…"

"I miss you," she choked out, her voice muffled.

"I miss you, too." He felt his eyes burn, swallowing his tears. "It's just a few more months, yeah? Just a few more months."

She pressed her cheek to his chest, breathing in. She didn't say more; her voice was gone as she continued to cry.

"Alright, miss." The guard on the other side of the room opened the door. "I'll escort you out."

Cathy's grip tightened, but Jamie gently pried her off, holding her hands in his. "I'll see you in a week," he said, brushing some of her tears with his thumb. He brought her nearer, giving her a kiss; he could feel her tears staining his face.

"I love you," she whispered into his lips.

"Love you, too." He let go, watching her as she followed the guard out of the room. She turned back, giving him a sad smile before the door shut.

He bit his lip, grabbing the book she'd forgotten to give to him. He walked back into the room with the phone bank, another prisoner now sitting in one of the chairs. From the smug look on his face, Jamie was sure he'd seen the entire exchange.

"So. The rumors are true, then."

"None of your business."

"Isn't that just precious, though? Big, tough, couldn't-care-less Jamie Bradley has himself a little friend waiting for him once he gets out."

"Knock it off, Gerald."

"Tell me, did you cut a hole through the glass so she can blow you? Isn't that against the rules?"

"Goddammit, Gerald!" Jamie lunged for him, the guard holding him back.

"Oh, that's a laugh, isn't it? You getting some while in here. No wonder you're always so happy when she visits."

"Shut the hell up!"

"Or what? What are you gonna do about it?" Another guard had restrained Gerald, keeping him in his chair. "Best come forward and say what's really going on between you two."

"That's enough, Gerald," the guard beside him said. "Your mother will be in shortly."

"Let me know how much I should pay her, Bradley. It'd be nice to have some action around here."

Jamie broke free of the guard's hold, grabbing Gerald around the neck. "YOU SON OF A FUCKING BITCH!"

The guards separated them, Jamie faintly hearing something about sedatives and how he'd be put in solitary until he'd calmed down. Gerald was being led away, as well, and Jamie caught the smirk on his face before the door closed.

"Jamie?"

He jerked awake, breathing heavily. "Huh? What?"

"You were groaning in your sleep." She rubbed her arm. "And you were lashing out."

He sat up, immediately pulling her to him. "Sorry."

"You were asleep, you did't know." She placed a hand on his forearm. "You want to talk?"

"Just remembering." He swallowed. "Prison."

"Honey…it's alright."

"No. I don't…no." He frowned. "Don't try that with me. You know I don't like it."

"You're right, you're right." She sighed. "Sweetheart, that's behind you now. You're not going back there, you're never going back, I promise."

Jamie nodded, laying them back down. "I hate remembering what they'd say about you. How…vulgar they were…"

"Shhh, just go back to sleep." Cathy brushed his hair off of his forehead. "Try not to think about it." She grasped his hand. "I'm right here if you need me."

He cracked a small smile. "Thank you."

Jamie went about a year without putting too much thought into that night. He'd been coping well, at least his counselor said he was; Cathy seemed to think so, too, so he just went with it.

Today was a pretty good day so far, in his terms. He and Cathy and baby Matt were out with Stuart, Leanne and the kids, spending the day at the mall. He and Stuart were now camped out in the food court with Jack and Matt, while Leanne and Cathy took Stacy and Daisy on a "girls only" shopping period.

"Uncle Jamie? How does Matt know when to stop drinking?"

"When he's full." He shrugged. "He stops when he doesn't want any more, just like anyone else."

"No way!" Jack stood on his seat, despite his father's protests for him to sit properly. "You just make him drink all that, and then he's done!"

"Nope. He lets me know."

"I don't believe you." Jack folded his arms.

"Okay, then. Watch."

They waited a few moments, watching Matt continue to suckle his bottle. Soon his nose scrunched, his tiny hands pushing it away. Jamie smirked, turning back to his nephew. "See?"

"He's not that smart," Jack grumbled grudgingly.

"Sure he is."

"Is not!"

"Jack, come on now." Stuart lifted his son off his feet and sat him down. "Quit bothering your uncle."

"I wasn't bothering him."

"He's fine, Stu."

"Jack, you need to behave yourself, or I won't get you lunch."

"Daaaad!"

"Stu. That's awful!"

Stuart sighed. "Jack, we're in public, you know better."

"I'm sorry, Dad. Please, I'll be good."

"Just get him lunch, Stu. He wasn't doing anything wrong."

"Fine. Come on, Jack." He stood. "You want anything, Jamie?"

"Just get me whatever."

Jack raced off, Stuart lingering behind. "You gonna be alright here, then?"

"Oh, yeah. Gotta burp this one."

"Okay. You've been…doing alright, yeah?"

"Yeah…why?"

"Just wanted to know." He placed a hand on Jamie's shoulder. "Cathy keeps me updated on your counseling and such. You've come a long way. Keep at it, yeah?"

Jamie nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

He watched Stuart leave, thoroughly confused. He was about to go after him when he heard Matt's tiny burp. He lifted him off of his shoulder. "You tired now, Matt?" he asked, cradling his son. "You need a nap, bud?"

Matt yawned in response, his blue eyes disappearing under his lids. Jamie set him back into the carrier, rocking it gently. He sat in silence for a moment before it hit him.

Stuart had been right in saying he'd come a long way. In just a short amount of time, he'd done so much, rethought the way he would live and how he'd make decisions. He'd gotten married, and now he had a child to raise. And to think, almost four years ago, he'd been in a prison cell.

It was all a bit much for him to take in, and he stared down in front of him, taking deep breaths. He'd calmed down a bit when he saw someone out of the corner of his eye.

"Jamie? Sweetheart, are you alright?"

He nodded. "Just a bit out of sorts." He breathed in. "Where are…"

"They're ordering with Stu and Jack. I came over to see how you and Matt were doing." She placed a hand over his. "You sure you're okay?"

He nodded again. "I will be, at least."

"Were you thinking about prison again?"

"Sort of." He sucked in a breath before slowly letting it out. "Just thinking about how…how different things are now. I never would have guessed that we'd…we'd be together…and…"

He trailed off, staring down at their hands. She'd laced the fingers of her right hand with his left, his wedding ring, blinking in the overhead lights. He quickly glanced at her ring finger on her left hand, studying the rosy hue of the engagement band and the gold of the wedding ring that complimented his own.

"…and now we have a son," he added quietly, glancing down at Matt.

He heard her swallow, looking back at her. She blinked, a few tears escaping. "You know I'm proud of you, right?"

"I…yes?"

"You've been so strong through all of this." She moved to sit beside him. "And I'm so proud of you for facing what scares you." She squeezed his hand gently, smiling. "You've been so brave."

"I…I don't feel brave."

"Trust me, you are." She leaned forward, kissing him. "You're very brave. You always have been."

Jamie kissed her again, and that was the moment Matt chose to wake up from his short-lived nap. Cathy lifted him into her arms, rocking him back and forth.

"Way to kill the mood, Matt," Jamie mumbled, chuckling.

"He just wanted to tell you he's just as proud of you as I am." Cathy giggled. "Tell Daddy how wonderful he is, sweetie."

Matt grabbed one of Jamie's fingers, blinking up at his father and smiling. Jamie kissed his son's nose, smiling just as widely.

"Thanks for believing in me, Matt," Jamie said, running his thumb over the baby's cheek. "You and your mum are just as amazing."

Cathy placed Matt back in his carrier and moved toward her husband again, kissing him. "We do try. We have a lot to live up to, of course."

"I think you're doing just fine," he replied, feeling cheeky and deepening the kiss.

Of course, they had to break apart when their nieces and nephew came back with food, complaining about how disgusting they were being, especially in public. But even after their quiet moment ended, Jamie couldn't help but smile. It hadn't been easy, but somehow he'd made it out of a rough patch in his life. And for the first time in his life, Jamie Bradley took his wife's words to heart and honestly felt brave.