Hello again! yes, i have updated again. Isn't it exciting? Well, I really wanted to get to this chapter, because it's one of my favorites.
Keep those reviews coming! I love feedback, no matter if it's one word or five hundred!
As Jenny made her way back to Mike's room to check up on him, she saw that Briggs was standing just outside of his room, eating a sandwich. She made her way to Briggs' side as they look through the window, watching the doctor take care of Mike. "I see that he's up now." Briggs commented, after swallowing. Jenny could smell the turkey on his breath.
"Yeah, thank god. I don't think I could have remained sane any longer." She nodded, lightly blowing on her coffee.
They stood in silence for a bit, just observing. The doctor would try to sit Mike up every once in a while, but Mike would make a face twisted in pain and cry out, forcing the doctor to lay him back down. "Why do you think that is?" Briggs asked suddenly, putting the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth.
Jenny glanced at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Well," He swallowed, and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. "You've never been this upset about an agent in the hospital before."
She looked away and put on a perplexed face. "What are you trying to say, Paul?"
Briggs heaved a hefty sigh, and shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno, Jenn. You're a smart girl. Figure it out."
Jenny looked up at her brother in disbelief. "Are you saying that I have feelings for Mike?"
He shrugged again. "Call it a brother's intuition."
"Unbelievable." She muttered, rolling her eyes.
"I can see the way you look at him, Jenny. I've seen that look before. I'm not stupid." Jenny thought for a bit. Of course, she wanted to deny that she had any feelings towards Mike at all, but something in her stopped her mouth from doing so. Why? Did she really like him? It would explain why she was so hysterical while he was in surgery. But she didn't know him. "Not to mention, you flirt with him every chance you get."
Jenny scoffed. "Because it makes him all flustered. That doesn't mean that I'm in love with the guy. And anyway, why do you care?"
"You know, that dating within the Bureau is dangerous."
"Oh, like you're one to talk."
Briggs decided not to touch on that subject. Different story for a different day. "Learn from my mistakes then."
"Paul, you can't tell me who to date and who I can't date." She turned her body to face him, putting her right hand on her hip, while her left held the coffee. "And even if I did have feelings for him, which I don't, it is my business." Jenny started to walk away, but Briggs caught her arm.
"Jenny," He spoke softly, almost like how he used to speak to her, but with a bit more forcefulness. "You know that I'm only looking out for you. Mike is my trainee, and if you two were to become an item, then I'm afraid it would start to affect both our working relationship and friendship."
Jenny remained silent for a split second, before turning to face him, a new fire was kindled behind her light blue eyes. "What do you think is going to happen, Paul?" She challenged. "Why are you so concerned with me 'showing interest' in one of your co-workers?" Briggs didn't answer, mostly because he was afraid of what he might say, and whether or not the truth would hurt him or not. As Jenny regarded him, a thought occurred to her. "Are you afraid that I would tell him about what happened?"
Briggs shook his head, and turned away from her. "Shut up, Jenny." He muttered.
"You are, aren't you?" She pushed.
He pointed a finger at her face, and gave her a warning look. "I said, shut up."
"Why?" Jenny stood her ground, not letting him scare her. "What are you going to do if I don't?" He tried his best to control his breathing. "Aren't you tired of carrying this burden alone, Paul? Mike looks up to you, more than you can understand, along with the rest of the house. They know you better than I do, and I'm your damn sister. Don't you think it's time to stop being scared of everyone finding out?"
"It's not that, Jenn." He told her, glancing at her again. "It has nothing to do with being scared. Don't you get it? I don't want them to know because as soon as I tell them, then they have a decision to make. They can either turn me in to the Bureau, or keep the secret, but knowing these guys, they'll keep it a secret. Then, all of a sudden, I'm asking them to lie for me. I am asking them to look their superiors in the eye and lie to them. And these guys have enough lies in their life as it is." Jenny could only stare at her brother with all the sympathy she could muster. But he wasn't done yet. "What happened to me, happened. I know that, and I've accepted that. But as soon as these guys are in the know, they start throwing a pity party for me, and out of pity, they keep my secret. So, I'm sorry, if that comes across as cowardice or selfishness, but believe it or not, I'm keeping the secret for their sakes." He finally stopped taking a breath in and staring at his little sister.
This had never occurred to Jenny that he was looking out for his friends. But then, she wasn't surprised. He had always looked after her and everyone he's ever known. Briggs was always the older brother type; it was his natural role in the universe.
"I'm sorry, Paul." She said, unsure of what to say. For the first time, she felt useless and unsure of her next move. So, instead, she took a step around him, so that she could go into Mike's hospital room, to escape the awkwardness. He hesitated, before turning around to see her close the door behind her. Briggs saw his sister smile sweetly at Mike, who returned her smile with his own. They, then, turned to the doctor, who was explaining something to them both. As he spoke, Briggs saw their hands fused together; Mike's thumb gently rubbing over her knuckles. Briggs glanced down in thought. He knew what he had to do, but he knew that Jenny wouldn't like it. But sometimes, drastic situations called for drastic measures.
Moving like a shadow, Briggs walked down the hall, leaving the other two happy in each other's company.
"If all goes well, you should be able to go home in a matter of a couple of days." The doctor informed them, earning a grateful smile from both Jenny and Mike.
"Thank you, Doc." Mike nodded.
The doctor nodded back, and grabbed his clipboard. "I'm going to finish making my rounds. But in the meantime, you get some rest. I don't want you moving from this bed, do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." He confirmed.
"I'll make sure of it." Jenny assured him, giving Mike's hand a squeeze.
"I'll take your word for it." The doctor chuckled, and then exited the room, leaving the two of them alone.
"Ugh, I'll be happier when I'm back at Graceland." Mike muttered. He was starting to feel a bit restless.
Jenny smirked. "You heard the doc. You'll be out of here before you know it."
"The sooner, the better." He complained. Then, a thought spurned on him. "Hey, weren't you only supposed to be here for a few days? Don't you need to get back to work?"
She shrugged. "I'm a freelancer, remember? I only work when there's a job. And even if there was, I won't leave, until I know that you're okay."
Mike gave a thankful squeeze to her hand. "Why are you so concerned about me?"
Something in Jenny's stomach twitched, but she covered it up. "I don't know. I just am, I guess."
He looked into her eyes again. It looked as though he wanted to tell her something, but was either too scared to or just couldn't find the right words. On the inside, Mike was internalizing a war. He was getting lost in her beautiful eyes, but was trying to force himself to stop staring. He didn't know her. Not that well, anyway. Sure, Jenny was smart, funny, beautiful, and caring, but he's met other girls like that, but he hasn't felt like this. What was so different about Jenny?
Suddenly, he heard his voice say, "Jenny?"
She nodded. "Yeah?" There was something coming, she could feel it. She did her best to brace herself.
Mike opened his mouth, but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. "Mike?" A voice said with concern.
Both of them turned to see a girl to be about Jenny's age, but she did not recognize her.
But apparently, Mike did. "Abby?"
Surprise! I had debated for the longest time whether or not to include Abby or not, but i decided that it would be interesting if I brought her in. What do you think will happen? Is there going to be a Jenny/Mike in the future? You tell me... ;)