Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 21 - Gentle

All the way home October stayed close to Bam's side, stealing as much of his body heat as she could get. He kept one arm on the steering wheel and one arm around her waist, pulling her gently against him.

When they arrived home, she went willingly into his embrace so he could carry her into the house. Without setting her down, he removed his shoes and carried her up the stairs into her ensuite. He set her feet down on the floor and proceeded to turn on the shower. "I can manage from here." She whispered, her voice hoarse from her injuries.

Bam leaned in to kiss the top of her head. "I'm right across the hall if you need me."

She nodded and winced as she began to undress.

Back in his own room, Bam sat on the bed and listened for the shower to turn off. All he really wanted to do was hold October in his arms and never let her go. He wondered if she wanted the same thing.

He sighed heavily as he undressed, climbed into bed and pulled the duvet over his legs. The clock on the bedside table shone three-twenty-eight. He heard October moving around her bedroom.

He closed his eyes, trying to slow his racing heart. He couldn't help but feel responsible for what had happened. He should have known. He should have warned her. He should have protected her. If they had been back in Browntown he could have protected her from any threat the bush could bring, but here, in the city, he didn't know how to protect her from the urban predators that preyed upon girls like her.

"Bam?" Her voice was so quiet he wasn't sure he'd really heard her. He opened his eyes to find her standing in the doorway in a tshirt that came almost to her knees. Bright red welts peeked out from underneath on her left leg. Her teeth worried her broken lip as she watched him uncertainly. Silently, she crossed the room, lifted the cover and laid her body next to his. He lifted his arm to let her press herself firmly into his bare chest. In spite of her hot shower she was still cold to his touch and she shivered against his warmth. "I knew you'd come for me." She whispered. He circled his arm around her waist, drew her closer, and buried his face in her damp hair, not trusting that his voice wouldn't break if he answered.

He waited until her breathing was deep and even before succumbing to his own fatigue.

~*~

Bam groaned and rolled over, still exhausted. His eyes popped open to confirm that he was indeed alone in his bed. The clock read seven-forty-three. After brushing his teeth, he pulled on his tshirt and jeans and padded down the stairs.

He found October in the kitchen. She was staring out the window above the sink with a cup of tea cradled in her hands. "I couldn't sleep." She murmured without looking away from the window. She had put on pyjama pants and a hoodie. He wasn't able to see the extent of her injuries.

"Did I snore?" He asked.

That easy smile that he had come to adore graced her lips. "Like a freight train." She replied, still looking out to the mountains.

"Sorry."

She shrugged. It's okay. I'll miss it when you are gone." The smile disappeared as quickly as it had come. " She was silent for a moment as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Will you come to the hospital with me?" She asked with trepidation, as if she expected him to say no.

"Of course I will. Do you want to go now?"

She nodded. "As soon as I get ready. I think I ..." She stopped and took a slow breath. "I think he broke some of my ribs." She set her tea down and braced herself on the kitchen counter with both hands. "I'm so stupid." She whispered. "I should have listened to Auggie." Her eyes filled with tears. "I thought he was my friend, Bam. I trusted him. What's wrong with me?"

Bam came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her back against his chest and pressed his cheek against her ear. "Nothing's wrong with you. You are perfect."

She turned in his arms to face him. For the first time since he woke up, he could see her whole face. He visibly flinched. "Is it that bad?" She asked softly as the tears spilled onto her cheeks.

The entire right side of her face was bruised and swollen. She had a deep cut under her eye and her top lip was split.

"No." Bam replied and bent his head to gently kiss her eyes, both her cheeks and then the tip of her nose. She closed her eyes as more tears flowed down her face.

"That's a very sweet lie, BamBam Brown." He kissed the corner of her mouth and tightened his arms around her body. She whimpered and he immediately let go.

"Sorry." He said automatically.

She rested her good cheek on his chest. "I hate that it hurts when you touch me."

He ran his fingers carefully through her hair. "I can be gentle." He murmured.

~*~

The trip to the hospital was long. Bam waited in a yellow room while October saw a doctor. Then he waited in a blue room while October went for X-rays. Then he waited in a green room while October got the results of her X-ray. Then he waited again in the yellow room while October was bandaged and prescribed pain killers. One broken rib, two cracked ribs, three cups of bad hospital coffee, and a stop at the pharmacy later, they were on their way back home. She dozed with her head on his shoulder while he drove the now familiar route back to her house.

Once inside, he followed her into the library where she stopped, turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She rested her head against his heart and listened to him breathe for a moment. She looked at the clock.

"We only have four hours left before your flight leaves." She said softly. "This whole weekend has just been a disaster. You must be glad to be getting out of here."

"I'm not glad to be leaving you." Bam kissed the top of her head. "And we still have four hours together. What do you want to do? I could make you something to eat. I'm pretty good at making spaghetti myself." He offered.

October shook her head. "I was thinking of just going back to bed."

Bam chuckled. "Why don't you go have a nap then and I'll make you dinner?"

October shook her head again. "I was hoping.." She trailed off and raised her head to meet his gaze, "that you might want to come to bed with me."

She bit her lip as Bam's expression became unreadable. He closed his eyes and sighed. "October, you are so badly injured. How can I make love to you without hurting you?"

October brought her hand up to caress his beard. "Bam, I need to feel you. When I think of this weekend I want to remember your hands on me." She looked away from him. "Not his." She stood on her toes to run her tongue along his bottom lip. He groaned as his body betrayed his resolve.

"Just be gentle." She breathed into his ear. Bam allowed himself to be led up the stairs and into her room.