Pillow Talk

Absolute Power - A

For the fourth time that night, Jamie woke to Eddie retching. It had shaken her beyond belief to see her father lying bruised and battered in a hospital bed. It broke his heart to see her sitting on the edge of her father's bed, watching to see if he was showing signs of coming to. As soon as he would flinch, Eddie prepared to run. She did not want her father to see her showing care and concern.

When visiting hours ended, Jamie took Eddie for hamburgers and ice cream, her favorite, before bringing her home.

"How are you?" Jamie asked while they ate their meal. "You haven't said much and I know it can't be easy. My Dad was shot..."

"Jamie, it's not even remotely the same thing. I don't talk to my Dad, I don't even really feel like he's my Dad anymore so I'm not about to fall apart over it. I just want to know who did it, no one should be beaten like that, even if they are a lying crook."

Jamie sighed, "Eddie, you still love your Dad. You still care about him or you would have never jumped that CO today."

"Yes, Jamie I would have," Eddie replied. "I get to say it, that rent a cop does not get to say it, it's like you and Danny."

Jamie nodded, definitely understanding that. "Well, tomorrow we'll start by talking to him. Then we'll see what else we can dig up."

Eddie nodded, thankful her partner and lover was willing to stick his neck out like this. All she wanted to do was go home. However, Eddie was exhausted by the time that came. Usually she and Jamie snuggled on the sofa, but tonight she begged off of talking and watching TV, claiming fatigue and a sore back. Jamie let her have her alone time, he sat with his feet up enjoying a beer. Around midnight, Jamie turned in finding Eddie sound asleep. Carefully he pulled her into his arms, and smiled when he felt her head drop onto his shoulder.

Three times since then, Jamie was awakened by Eddie vomiting in the bathroom. Each time he went to her side and held her, each time he helped her back to bed. This time, Jamie tried the door finding it locked. "Eddie, let me in, honey."

Jamie didn't hear anything but more retching. "Eddie, come on, baby, please."

Still silence. Finally, Jamie heard the retching stop only for it to be taken over by sobs. "Eddie, come on sweetie..." Jamie kept knocking, the sound of her tears ripping at his heart. Jamie should have been used to Eddie shutting him out when she was upset or scared but somehow he hoped this time would be different. She hadn't shut him out when she lost their baby, why again now?

Jamie waited by the door continuing to knock hoping Eddie would relent and let him in so he could comfort her. After several more minute of sobbing coming from the bathroom Jamie heard the water running as Eddie washed her mouth before unlocking the door. She walked right past him climbing back into bed turning on her side with her back to Jamie.

Sighing, Jamie followed getting in bed on his side running a hand down her arm before moving closer to wrap his arm around her. Eddie shifted away using her sleeve to wipe away the remaining tears.

"Not tonight Jamie." The truth was all Eddie wanted was Jamie's comfort but she was so confused and conflicted that

Not taking no for an answer, Jamie moved closer still wrapping an arm around her waist, his other arm underneath her locking her in a tight hug against him. "I want to be here for you Eddie, but I can't if you shut me out, so talk to me."

"Talk to you about what? About seeing my father, the man I looked up to all my life laying beaten in a hospital bed? He did some really bad stuff but he didn't deserve that! I want to know what animal would beat another human being like and why?"

Jamie nuzzled her letting his hand gently caress under her shirt the way she likes to be comforted. "I know babe and I'll do everything to get those answers for you I promise. You trust me right?"

"Jamie, he doesn't deserve to see me worried after what he did. He didn't care lying and cheating people which ended up tearing our family apart why should I worry about him," Eddie asked sobbing again.

Jamie shifted so he sat up a bit using his hand to turn her body towards him letting their eyes meet. "Listen to me Eddie, family always comes first. We all make mistakes but the fact is you still care about him or you wouldn't be getting upset. He needs you Eddie and deep down you need him. "

Eddie sighed her eyes clouded with fresh tears unafraid to let her emotions go in front of him. Soothingly, Jamie repositioned himself so Eddie could curl against him with her head resting on his chest while he hugged her close whispering softly into her ear.

"Let it go, I'm here," Jamie sighed hating that she was once again hurting. It seemed lately that Eddie spent way too much time hurting and nowhere near enough time being happy, being his Eddie. Jamie promised himself to make things fun for her when this mess with her father settled down. For now, he'd hold her as close and tight as possible and absorb all of her pent up pain and stress.

Eddie settled down and feigned sleep. Jamie was trying so hard but there was no way he'd ever understand. There was no peace for her ever when it came to her father. He was her hero, her only protector and parent after her mother's death when she was still a young girl. Then it all fell apart. Jamie could empathize with her loss of a parent, but not with the shame, the embarrassment and the fear she felt when her father was hauled away in irons. Eddie felt so much hate, so much anger...she couldn't let go even with Jamie's gentle and at times not so gentle urgings. Still today, part of her was little girl that just lost her Mom, she wanted to curl up on the bed with her Dad and love all the hurt away, the way he would so with her when she laid in her huge canopy bed crying for her Mommy. It wasn't fair! She had her dream inside of her and had it ripped away. Now this with her father...

Quickly, yet gently, Eddie pulled away from Jamie again...feeling the urge to vomit all over again...