Chapter Eight
Rachel stretched her arm across the bed, searching for the warmth of Jay's body, but all she felt was a cold sheet. She groggily opened her eyes and immediately shut them from the light pouring through the bedroom window. She was sore in all the right places. Jay said he loved her. She tried not to read too much into it, but those three words were the best thing she'd ever heard. Suddenly, the events from yesterday began flashing back and she jumped out of bed. Blake. She found Jay's t-shirt and hurriedly threw it on while searching for her cell phone. It must be in the kitchen with her purse. She felt so guilty for allowing those happy thoughts with Jay to enter her mind, when her partner was fighting for his life.
She opened the bedroom door and padded down the hall. She paused when she got to the kitchen at the sight in front of her. Jay was standing in front of the stove cooking in nothing but his tight grey boxer shorts with little hearts on them. She'd given them to him for his birthday two years ago as a joke. She couldn't believe he kept them, much less wore them. His dark hair was disheveled and his beard growth was just enough to make him appear dangerous.
"Morning," she said, clearing her throat.
He removed the eggs from the heat and turned to face her. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked so tired. Sexy as hell but exhausted.
"First, I called the hospital and Blake is still stable and improving. We can go see him in two hours."
She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him tight. She pulled back from him and put her hand on his cheek and gave him a light kiss.
"I know you must be starving, babe. Sit down and I'll bring you a plate."
"It does smell good. Wait, you said first, so is there more?" she asked him.
"I meant what I said last night, Rachel. I love you," he told her as he pulled her in for a deep kiss.
He lifted her up on the kitchen counter and pressed his hard length against her. The only thing separating them was the thin layer of cotton of his boxers. She slipped her hands in the band of his boxers and slid them down until his erection sprang free.
"Rach, we can't. I don't have another condom. I used the only one I had, last night."
"It's okay; I'm on the pill, and I'm safe."
"Me, too, but are you sure?"
She lifted her arms as he removed her t-shirt, the only thing separating them, giving him his answer. She expected him to go hard and fast but he entered her slowly. He set a steady rhythm as he suckled her breasts, bringing them to hard peaks. He placed his forehead against hers and looked deeply into her eyes while he brought them both to an orgasm. With him still inside her, he brought his mouth down on hers for a fierce kiss. He didn't ask permission. He just possessed her mouth like he owned it.
Rachel didn't know how long they stay liked that but, eventually, he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. He took his time and washed them both. While she dried her hair, he laid some clothes on the bed for her. She recognized them as Grace's. Grace was taller than she was, but they wore the same size clothes. She put her long black locks in a ponytail and didn't bother with any makeup. She kept some in her purse but rarely wore it. She laced up her standard issue EMT boots and went in search of Jay. He was sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by files and looking intently at his laptop.
"We still have an hour before we can see Blake at the hospital. You should take a nap, Jay. Have you been up all night?" she questioned as she sat next to him.
"I caught a few hours of sleep, but I've been working the case. After the hospital, I have a task force meeting. I believe we have some good leads on this bastard," he said as he placed a cup of coffee and a protein bar in front of her. "The eggs were ruined, sorry. This was all I had."
"This is fine." She looked at him, smiling.
She wanted to bring up him saying the L word, but she was too worried about Blake.
"Rach, I know we need to talk about us, and we will, when things calm down," Jay said, as if reading her mind. "I meant what I said, though, and I want to make us work."
"I do, too, more than anything," Rachel replied as she squeezed his hand.
A short time later, they were in Jay's SUV, heading to the hospital. Rachel sat in the passenger's seat bouncing her right knee up and down. She was anxious to get to the hospital and lay her eyes on Blake. Jay eased onto the interstate and placed his hand on her knee.
"He's strong, baby, a fighter. He will be okay."
"Grace and Zach get home, tomorrow, don't they?" she asked as they drove by the airport exit.
"Yes. I missed my sister so much, but I'd feel better if she stayed out of town until I put this psycho behind bars. Zach tried to get her to, but she refused."
"She's stubborn, like her older brother."
"I guess she is."
Jay parked the SUV at the emergency room entrance and they took the elevator to the ICU waiting room. Rachel stopped by the nurse's station for an update on Blake. A nurse told her that she would come get her when visiting hours started. She and Jay went to the waiting room and found Blake's parents sitting on the couch. His mom was a petite woman with striking blue eyes, much like Blake's. His dad, who was handsome for his age, looked like an older version of Blake, except with brown eyes. Rachel went to them and she was pulled into a warm hug from his mom, first, and then his dad. She watched as they both introduced themselves to Jay.
"Have you seen him yet?" Rachel asked.
"They let us see him for a few minutes, when our plane got in, but we couldn't stay long," his dad began. "He hasn't woken up yet but the doctor said that was not unusual. They told us they are optimistic that he will be all right—"
"I understand we owe that to you, Rachel. They told us you saved our boy," Blake's mom interrupted her husband.
"You don't owe me anything. He is like a brother to me, and he would have done the same for me or anyone else. Besides, I had a lot of help, and your son is an amazingly strong man," she said, glancing over at Jay.
The ICU nurse came over to let them know Blake could have visitors, two at the time. Rachel insisted his parents go first and she would go after them. When they left to follow the nurse, Jay pulled her into his arms and just held her. He tucked her head underneath his chin and ran his hands up and down her back.
"You want me to stay and go with you to see him?"
"You have your meeting you need to be at; I'll be fine."
"Promise me you will not leave this hospital until I get back."
"I promise. You be careful out there, Jay. I couldn't take it if something happened to you."
"Always, baby."
She walked him to the elevator and kissed him goodbye. She stopped by the vending machines on the way back to the waiting room and got drinks and snacks for Blake's parents. His sister would be driving in later today, so she knew they would be at the hospital all day. She paced back in forth, waiting for her time to see her partner. Her nerves were already on edge over him, and now Jay was out there chasing this mad man down. She felt lightheaded and nauseous, most likely from all the stress. She stopped pacing when the doors opened and she saw Blake's parents. Their eyes were red and full of tears.
"I can't stand to see my baby lying there with all those tubes coming out of him," his mom told Rachel.
"His room is the third curtain on the left; go sit with him, sweetie," his dad said.
Rachel nodded in reply. If she said anything, she would break down in front of them, and that was the last thing they needed. When she walked through the ICU doors, the smell assaulted her senses, reminding her of all the hours she'd spent in the hospital by Grace's side. The protein bar she'd eaten earlier began coming up her throat. She made it to the bathroom just in time. Afterwards, she washed her face and rinsed her mouth with the mouthwash in her purse. Get it together, Webber, she chastised herself. She made her way down the hall and pulled the curtain back. Her eyes filled up with water at the sight of Blake lying there.
This big, burly, larger than life man lying helpless on that hospital bed was hard to see, even for her. Although he had several draining tubes coming out of him, he was not on a ventilator and was able to breath on his own.
She gently kissed his forehead and whispered in his ear, "I need you to wake up; I need my partner."
She held his hand and began talking to him. She told him about Jay and herself—about how they were close to catching this SOB and about what a hero he was. The officer he risked his life to save had been released from the hospital and would make a full recovery. She just kept talking, willing him to wake up. She even told him how cute his nurse was that day. She was blonde and had a huge rack—just his type. The longer he remained unconscious, the more likely he would have permanent damage.
"Come on, Blake, I need you to wake up. Your parents are worried. So are the guys at the fire house. Hell, you got me worried, now. You hard headed lug, why did you have to try to be a superhero?" She pulled the stool up to the bed and held his hand up to her face.
She could have sworn his fingers moved against her cheek, but she thought it may have been her mind playing tricks on her. But she felt it again. He touched her cheek. She stood up and ran her hand across his stubbled cheek.
"Blake, can you hear me? It's Rachel. Open your eyes, sweetie."
She saw his eyelids move and, suddenly, she was staring at the most beautiful pair of blue eyes she'd ever seen. He struggled to speak.
"Shhh. Don't try to talk; you had surgery on your neck." She yelled for the nurse.
Before the nurse ushered her out of the room, she could have sworn he said he was Superman.