Pillow Talk

Power Players

With each sob Jamie felt his gut clench. He knew there was no way that Eddie was going to be okay after what she went through. He had a lot more time on the job than she had when he made his first kill but it was still a long time before he was okay.

Jamie stroked Eddie's arm and her hair interchangeably trying to offer whatever comfort he could through actions, not words. Nothing he could say to her would help now, he had to show her he was there and absorb as much of her pain as he could.

When Eddie's tears started to subside, Jamie felt her body growing heavier against him. She was starting to doze off. "Lie down," he whispered not wanting to startle her or jar her out of her sleep. When Eddie whimpered in fear that she was losing precious contact with the only person she trusted to keep the nightmares at bay. "Lie down here on the couch, put your head in my lap," Jamie offered. "And sleep, just sleep, I'm not going anywhere."

Eddie shifted and did as Jamie asked. "Talk to me," she whispered not feeling shy at all about snuggling into his lap. Jamie brought a hand up to stroke her head. "I don't care what about."

Jamie sighed, "I don't know what to say." Something about having his beautiful partner in his arms, vulnerable and in need of his attention and affection rendered him all but speechless. If he started talking now, too many things would come out, things he knew better than to say.

"You don't have to say anything, just talk," Eddie sighed and shut her eyes relishing the feel of Jamie's closeness. She dreamt of this time, when she could be close to her partner and friend in a way far beyond the confines of their relationship. It was easy to pretend he was her boyfriend, that he loved her and cherished her with her head cradled in his lap and her eyes shut, his fingers combing her hair, his soft voice talking about anything and nothing all at once. It was easy to forget just a few days ago she took a life.

Jamie didn't have to talk for long, Eddie quickly fell back to sleep. The faint light in the apartment made her blonde hair shine and her skin seems to sparkle even with the fatigue she had to be feeling. Curled up like she was, she looked so small, too small to be a strong capable NYPD officer. She looked like someone he had to protect, someone that needed him.

Eddie shifted in her sleep and let out a small whimper. "Ssh," Jamie crooned trying to insure she remained in a deep healing sleep. "Ssh, I've got you. It's all right."

His level tone and gentle touch seemed to have the desired effect, Eddie soon quieted and burrowed even closer.

Jamie watched Eddie sleep all night. Whenever she would whimper or cry out, even a little, he would jump into action to make sure that she slept on and did not relive that awful event yet again.

Jamie fell asleep just before dawn, Eddie's head still in his lap, his arm protectively wrapped around her middle. When the first rays of sunshine peaked in through the apartment window, Eddie stirred. She was stiff from sleeping in a curled position and was a little shocked to find herself still in Jamie's arms.

Carefully, she extricated herself from his grasp, started the coffee and used the bathroom. She looked better; she felt better. A good cry and a good night sleep had done her a world of good. Having those things with her partner and best friend at her side was just icing on the cake.

The aroma of freshly brewing coffee teased Jamie's nostrils. He opened his eyes and looked around for Eddie. He found her in the kitchen preparing French toast and sausage. "Hey," Jamie greeted wiping the sleep out of his eyes. "You didn't have to do that. You've had a rough couple of days, why don't you go stretch out in bed I'll be right here."

Eddie smiled, "You were..." She swallowed and tried again. "You were amazing last night. Even I didn't know what I needed but you figured it out just by looking..."