A/N Here we go. Thanks for reading! :-)

"You're probably glad to finally be getting home from the hospital." Danny said pulling the silver dodge up to the curb of the apartment building. He helped his brother to the door. "Careful, careful," he cautioned in a fatherly tone.

Jamie had a slight limp and his left arm was in a white fabric sling, but otherwise he was moving almost normally again. His irritation at his brother's incessant hovering was bothering him more than his wounds. "I didn't break my leg, Danny, I was shot. I'm ok. Enough with the nagging. You sound like Mom when I sprained my wrist in high school."

"Hey, watch your mouth about Mom. And excuse me for living but you're my kid brother and I care about you, ok? So sue me." He held the door for Jamie and followed behind him. "Speaking of your shooting, the perp that shot you pleaded guilty and is trying to cut a plea deal. Erin's office is prosecuting and she said he's become quite the whistle blower."

"Good. I'm glad. It means it wasn't all for nothing." Jamie eyed the stairs but decided to save his leg the misery and headed for the elevator.

Danny followed still glancing down at Jamie's feet to make sure he didn't trip. "So," he said changing the subject. "Your partner is going to be helping you for a couple of days around the apartment?"

Jamie could detect the suspicion in Danny's voice but ignored it."Yeah. Is there a problem with that? She's my partner."

Danny nodded. "So you two are taking R&R together around your place for three days?" He waited a moment before his next words, gauging his brother's temperament. "That should be plenty of time for the two of you's to talk about this thing between you."

"We're not involved."

"You sure about that? Look, I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I'm just saying, it's been over two years, Jamie. Nobody's buying the we're-just-friends routine anymore."

Jamie rolled his eyes and exhaled. "Here we go…" He punched the elevator button with a loud thud announcing his annoyance at his brother's line of questioning. "What are your trying to say?"

"That there's obviously something going on between you and Eddie."

Jamie raised his voice, catching himself. "Well then it should stay between me and Eddie. It's none of your business."

Danny loved his brother but had never been comfortable expressing his emotions. "Look, I'm not trying to rag you. I care about you, ok? You're my only brother. When I got called to the hospital last week when you were shot it took ten years off of my life. After what we went through with Joe, I was worried sick, ok?" He took a breath as they walked in to the elevator and he hit the button to the 5th floor. "I just want what's best for you. Both of you. I like Eddie. She's good for you in a way I never saw with Sydney."

Jamie was patiently trying to hear his brother out but it was grating on his nerves. "What? I thought you liked Sydney?"

"I did like her. But Eddie believes in you in way that Sydney never did—or couldn't." He paused deciding he'd said enough for one elevator ride. "But, like I said, I'm not trying to tell you what to do. All I know is you obviously made a choice to stay in the car with your partner, and I get it, but at what cost to the personal life for the both of you?"

Jamie knew Danny was right but wasn't ready to tell his brother that he and Eddie had already begun to open up about their feelings. The elevator stopped and the doors opened with a 'ding'. "I know you're just looking out for me, Danny. But you don't have to worry, ok?"

"I'm looking out for both of you. I like her." He put a hand out to hold the elevator open and knew when he needed to change the subject. "Now, let's go check on your partner and see if your place has been redecorated yet."

Eddie's head popped out from behind the refrigerator door as Jamie and Danny walked in. She had visited Jamie in the hospital almost daily but was happy and relieved to see him back in his own apartment and in one piece. She also detected some tension between the brothers but tried to ignore it. "Hi," she said cheerfully closing the fridge door. "Can I help with anything?"

"I think you already have." Jamie said, clearly happy to see her. "Something smells really good." He liked walking in to his apartment and finding Eddie. She wore a pink, sleeveless top and jeans, and her hair was down around her shoulders. He couldn't help thinking how pretty she looked. He noticed his small card table had been set for two, with napkins and wine glasses. Maybe all of this was worth getting shot after all.

"Well, it's either me or the fried chicken and mashed potatoes." She propped a hand on one hip to make her point.

Jamie looked surprised. "You mean you cooked it?"

Eddie laughed. "Yes, Reagan, I cooked it. Why are looking at me like that. I have skills, you know. You always have Sunday dinner with your family," she said, "and since you won't be able to be with them today I thought you could still have a nice dinner here." She wiped her hands on a towel self consciously, unsure if this was the best idea. "And a little bird told me fried chicken and mashed potatoes are your favorite."

Danny held up a duffel bag he'd been carrying. "Sooo, where's everyone sleeping ? Where should I drop this?" Jamie shot a glare in his direction.

Eddie didn't miss a beat. "I'm on the sofa."

Jamie's brow wrinkled and he looked at her. "What? No, I'll take the sofa and you take the bedroom."

Danny let out a breath. "Ok, you two, I'll let you duke this out. I need to head over to Dad's for dinner so I'm going to leave you to…whatever this thing is you got going on here."

Jamie gave him a slight glare again but let it go. "Thanks for the lift from the hospital, Danny."

Danny loved his younger brother and it showed. "I'm just glad you're ok, kid. Don't forget what I said." He looked at Eddie. "You're in charge of this one. You got it?" As Eddie laughed, and he headed for the door. "I'm here of you guys need anything." And with that Danny was gone.

She laughed. "You're lucky. He's a good big brother."

"Yeah, he likes to get in my business sometimes, but we're always there for each other." He looked at the bottle of wine on the counter. "So what have we got here? Would you like some?" Jamie went to work finding a cork screw and opening the bottle and pouring two glasses.

They talked as they kibitzed around the kitchen. Eddie filled two plates arranged with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. She put a salad bowl with a tossed green salad on the table and lit several votive candles she had purchased and put them in the center.

As they sat down, Jamie handed her a glass of pinot noir. She looked at him and smiled. Eddie had always wondered what the Reagan family dinners were all about, and now she would find out. "So," she pronounced, "here we are." She had worked with Jamie for over two years and they had eaten hundreds of meals together and had been out for as many happy hours. But she suddenly felt like she was on a first date. Maybe she should have worn her uniform, she wondered.

"Here we are." He echoed. Alone in his apartment having dinner was new territory for them. But he liked it. In the back seat of the car, after he had been shot, Jamie had wished they had had more time together. And now they did.

"How does a Reagan family dinner normally start?" Eddie's eyes were wide with curiosity.

He found himself smiling again. "Well, we usually start by saying grace. We take turns saying what we're thankful for."

"Ok. Do you hold hands or does everyone do their own thing?"

He thought about it before answering. "Well, at my Dad's table he likes to say each man is for himself, so we don't hold hands." He looked in to her eyes, his voice becoming quieter. "But since this is our table tonight, I think we should do what we want."

Eddie glanced down and saw that Jamie placed a hand on the table and it was open. She placed a hand in his and it closed over hers, warm and inviting. She felt butterflies swirl around inside her. "Now what?"

"We each take a turn saying what we're thankful for." He squeezed her hand gently. "You want to go first?"

Eddie shrugged. "Ok." She paused and thought about what she was grateful for. It came to her easy—it was the same thing that had been in her heart for the last twelve days. "I'm thankful for my partner." She felt her voice hitch. "For his safety and recovery." She squeezed his hand in return. "And for putting up with me when I make dumb decisions."

He smiled at her. "And I'm thankful for my partner. For looking out for me and taking care of me." He leaned closer to her. "I'm alive and I'm a better cop because of her…even if she is demanding."

She leaned forward to meet him half way, her face inches from his. "Demanding?" Her voice was light and teasing. "When was the last time I got to drive the car? Huh? Never, that's when."

He whispered playfully at her. "I'm still taking the sofa."

"No, I am because you're still recovering. My rules." She gave back as good as he gave.

"Rich girl." He teased.

Her eyes sparkled and dared him. "Eagle Scout."

At two a.m. Jamie woke up, a little restless as the dull ache in his leg reminded him his chivalry of insisting Eddie take the bedroom was at a price. But the trade off was he had the tv handy, so he clicked the remote. An old black and white movie flickered to life, filling the living room with a soft grey glow. He went to the kitchen and poured a glass of water, returning to sit on the sofa.

Eddie appeared from the hall to the bedroom, a blanket wrapped around her. "Hey, you ok?"

"What are you doing up?" He liked her middle of the night tousled look better than he did her normal appearance. He also knew he liked it too much.

She padded over to the sofa and sat down beside him. "I heard a noise. I thought it might be you. Did you take any of the pain meds?"

He shook his head. "No, I stopped. They make me feel light headed."

"That's kinda the point, Jamie." She chuckled.

"I took an aspirin. And you're here. So I'm good" He grinned.

She sighed and leaned against his good arm. Jamie raised it, an invitation to get closer and she took it, snuggling up against him. He smelled like vanilla and soap, a combination which she found intoxicating. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and looked up at him. "You don't always have to be so brave you know." She whispered.

He reached a finger up and traced it over her chin. "Neither do you." He whispered back. He leaned toward her and pressed his lips to hers for several seconds, a gesture of his affection. But as he looked back at her he knew it could never be just that. Their eyes locked on each other, and they both knew. He was lost in her gaze, captivated by her and his own feelings. He leaned toward her again, but this time with a different purpose. He brushed his lips against hers. "I can feel you inside of me."

Her breath was being taken away and she felt her heart beating in her chest. "My blood donation?"

"That too," he whispered as his lips softly pulled at hers and she opened her mouth to him, an intimate surrender. He kissed her deeply, their breath mingling between them, lips and teeth colliding and seeking out more like a hunger sweeping over them. Her hand slid haphazardly over his thigh and he moaned in to her, the ache of his wound completely forgotten as the ache of his body took over and his mind was flooded with pent up emotion and passion.

Eddie couldn't catch her breath and she stopped, one of her hands resting on his chest. She wanted him but the thoughts in her head were going around in circles, and she knew that just like the kiss the year before, they would be standing at the same place when it was done. She hated it, but it was true. "We can't."

He rested his forehead against hers. "I know." His voice was quiet but still fuelled with desire.

"We're partners," she whispered, still panting from the kiss. "And you and I both know what that means." She looked up at him, his beautiful hazel eyes reflecting the light from the glow in the room.

He nodded and exhaled. He settled back in to the sofa, stretching his legs out in front him, putting his feet on the coffee table. "Yeah, I know." His arm tucked her against him again. Eddie let her head fall back on his shoulder, rubbing her cheek against him.

He pressed a kiss to her head and held her as tightly as he could. "It's ok. I know." Jamie knew Danny was right. The personal cost had become too much.