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Jamie parked himself outside the women's locker room and waited for Eddie in silence. He had seen the psychologist assigned to his case earlier and as far as he could tell, he did not think he was a candidate for further assessment other than a routine follow-up a week or so down the road. As soon as he left the sanctity of the psychologist's office, he checked his phone. Danny had texted him, asking him how he and Eddie were holding up. Both of his siblings, his father and grandfather made it a point to ensure that he was in actual fact all right by dropping by the precinct the day before. In truth, they were waiting for him when he arrived back at the 12th with Eddie after the shooting. The Reagans took family seriously. Banded together, everyone knew they were a force to be reckoned with. All were alarmed when they had heard about the shooting and were overcome with relief to know that Jamie came out of it unharmed. They were also thankful for his partner who had his back the entire time. They could see that Eddie was particularly shaken up as she was quickly ushered to the CO's office as soon as she stepped into the building, leaving the Reagans no opportunity to thank her for saving Jamie's life.

Jamie replied to Danny's text assuring him that he and Eddie were both doing as well as could be expected. He did not elaborate further knowing that Danny left no stone unturned if he caught a whiff of something out of sorts. He would pursue it till he reached the very bottom of it. So, because Jamie valued his and Eddie's privacy and wanted them to have a little time to simply 'be' in love, he said nothing to Danny that would give that away.

Thinking of Eddie made Jamie yearn for her presence. Though he was beyond glad that they had finally taken the next step in their relationship, he still could not believe the harshness of how it happened. He cherished his partnership with Eddie as much as he cherished her – and he cherished her so. He had reported happily to work every day knowing that he would be spending the day with her next to him. He looked forward to their bickering and bantering in and out of the squad car. Jamie could not think of anyone else he would want to unwind with at the end of a long tour. They were inseparable. He wanted to be there for her and with her because their lives depended on each other. Somewhere along the five years they had been partnered together, their lives entwined. They had grown professionally and were well-respected by their colleagues and superiors. And they had grown in their personal lives. It was here that Jamie and Eddie had trouble trying to decide what to do about their attraction. Thinking back made Jamie realize that he no longer wanted to wait. What were they waiting for now anyway? They had spent five years getting to know each other, and they knew so much about the other that they could finish each other's sentences, accurately predict each other's next move and operated together like a well-oiled machine. They defined each other. Jamie had been in love with Eddie for the better part of the five years they spent as partners. And he knew that Eddie had spent a good amount of that time also in love with him. What if... Jamie stood up, looked at his watch and decided to go on a hunch. Eddie would probably take a while, he reasoned. With that, he strode off in search of an available computer. He wanted to look into a few things.

XXX

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Eddie said. "I'll wait for your green light before returning to work." Eddie left her CO's office and returned to the locker room to gather some items she needed before leaving the precinct. When she checked her phone, she noticed that Jamie had left her a message to let him know when she was to leave. She sent him a reply and promptly closed the door of her locker, gathered her things and exited the locker room. Just as Eddie was stepping out onto the corridor, she collided into someone.

"Good gosh! I'm so sorry!" Eddie immediately apologized to whoever she crashed into. A pair of hands reached out to steady her. At once, she recognized the grip. She looked up and sure enough, she found herself looking into the face of her partner.

"You know, you should really be more careful, Janko. Clumsiness isn't becoming," Jamie playfully chided. Eddie was quick with her response. "Watch it, Reagan. I might just put a hit out on you for being mean."

Jamie chuckled, took Eddie's jacket which she had been holding in her hand and held it out for her to slip it on. Ever the gentleman, Eddie thought. She smiled to herself and sent a silent prayer to heaven for Jamie. As the pair turned and walked towards the exit, they noticed several pairs of eyes looking at them and then quickly turning away. Had they noticed Jamie helping Eddie into her jacket? Had they noticed their subtle flirting? Jamie and Eddie did not stop to ask, but made quick work of their departure. They would deal with all that another day.

XXX

Eddie sat curled up next to Jamie on his couch. They had decided to return to his place for the rest of the day. It was almost as if they were making up for lost time. Both did not want to leave the side of the other. They could chalk it up to the after effects of the recent shooting and perhaps that could have been part of the reason, but both Jamie and Eddie knew there was much more to it than that.

Partway through the movie they were watching, Jamie reached over and took Eddie's hand in his. He gently brought it up to his lips and kissed the back of her hand softly. Eddie had never felt more loved. Jamie was her soulmate, best friend and partner all rolled into one. The perfect trifecta, she thought. With Jamie, she was home and she was at peace. There was no awkwardness, no pretending. She could just be. Eddie leaned towards Jamie and rested her head on his shoulder. She could not seem to get close enough to him. Eddie slipped her arm around Jamie's and decided that she could very well stay like that for the rest of her life. "You're very comfy," she sighed. "I could get used to this."

Jamie too was feeling the same way as Eddie. He could get used to this, he thought. He turned his head towards her and planted another kiss on the top of her head. "I love you," he muttered into her hair. Eddie shifted and looked at Jamie. Their eyes conveyed a message of deep love neither had known before. It flowed through them like blood coursing through their veins. Their hearts beat for each other and would continue to do so for a long time to come. For eternity, if Jamie had his way. He slowly moved his head closer to hers. Eddie took his cue and closed her eyes. Their lips met for a kiss that took their breath away. Over and over again, their lips expressed their desire for each other as their kiss deepened. Neither pulled away until the need to inhale intervened. Jamie stood up and helped Eddie to her feet. Holding her hands in his, he whispered, "Eddie, you and I... We've come a long way. I love you so much." His eyes, quietly intense, locked onto hers.

Eddie felt a tear slip out of the corner of her eye. She realized that Jamie held all her tomorrows. He knew her like no one else did. "I love you, Jamie." As soon as those words left her mouth, Jamie laid his lips on hers again, passion and urgency evident in the way he moved his lips over hers and how his arms snaked behind her and held her tightly to him.

It dawned on both Jamie and Eddie that they were about to explore the intimate side of their relationship. "Eddie, if you want to wait longer, I'll wait with you," Jamie said in a low voice. He wanted to give her more time if she needed it. He knew he wanted this, wanted her. But the gentleman in him had to be sure she wanted this and wanted him as much. With love radiating from her eyes, Eddie looked at him and shook her head. "No. This is our time, Jamie. I love you," she replied tenderly.

With that, Jaime lovingly led Eddie to his bedroom.