When Fools Rush In

Chapter 20 - Recovery

Lucy awoke to the sound of the camp bed squeaking as Jack turned over on it. Momentarily confused, she jolted herself awake to drink in where she was; the comfortable hospital side room, the lights of the corridor shining through the glass window of the door that was slightly ajar, the inky light of dawn appearing through the blinds of the window on the wall opposite. Then the aching flooded back, her bruised and battered body - inside and out - straining under the effort of her lifting her head up from the pillow, her arms supporting her weight as she shuffled up the bed. The back of her hand was sore, the cannula feeling worn. Her head still thudded with the residual fog of deep, comatose sleep. Ugh, the accident. The drama. 

Looking to her right and down at the camp bed, she noticed Jack had turned onto his back, sleeping peacefully, his breathing long and slow. Then she remembered he had declared himself her boyfriend, so he belonged there after all. He wasn't some secret intruder. But he was still secret to those who mattered back at the club - he had to be.

She wasn't sure how long she lay on her side, staring at him, but eventually Jack's eyelids flickered into motion and he stretched his arms out above him, causing the blanket to slide down his naked torso. His sculpted torso. Lucy sighed with desire.

Jack smiled sleepily, "mornin' bab."

"Mmmm morning beautiful," whispered Lucy.

"Can't believe they let me sleep 'ere," Jack mumbled, his voice husky with sleep.

"I can," Lucy murmured, "because you get away with bloody murder."

Jack winked at her, a cocky grin spreading across his face, his eyes wrinkling at the sides.

"Anyway," continued Lucy, "you'll have to get up and about pronto."

Jack reached for his watch that he'd left on the floor next to the camp bed. A diamond-encrusted Trotters special. "Eh, it's only seven o'clock, can't I just have a snooze?"

"No, the nurse will be back soon before she swaps over with the day staff, and they'll probably want me to eat breakfast."

Jack sighed, conscious he didn't want to upset the hospital staff who he had pleaded with and bribed even to be allowed to stop over for two night's running. He clambered out of the camp bed and gathered up the t-shirt he'd left on the floor. Lucy regretted the fact he had to put his clothes back on.

As if on schedule, Kelly the nurse reappeared with her obs machine, trundling through the door.

"Morning," she smiled breezily, "I'll just take these and then I'll be handing over. How are you feeling?"

"A bit better thanks, just ache all over. I feel like I've been in a washing machine," Lucy observed, holding her arm out for Kelly to take her blood pressure.

"You'll feel like that for a good few days yet," Kelly replied, "and we'll be keeping you in here until the weekend I imagine - can't take any chances."

Jack looked on as he folded blankets and grappled with folding the camp bed. "Do ya know exactly when she'll be able to come home?" he interjected.

"Up to the doctors," said Kelly, "there was quite a bit of internal bleeding and we want to make sure everything is healing well first." She turned back to Lucy, "we'll be wanting you to get up and about today, even if it's just a little walk up and down the ward."

Lucy nodded. The thought of getting out of bed felt exhausting.

Kelly left the room, saying that breakfast would be coming soon. 

Jack pulled the chair up to the side of Lucy's bed as she sipped on a glass of water. He grasped Lucy's free hand.

"Luce," he began, "I don't want you going straight back to your flat when you get out of here. I want you to feel better first - I want you do come and stay with me." His eyes were round and concerned, his lips parted slightly.