Hide and Spy- Gallagher Girls FanFic

Joe- Chapter 30

Joe

Chapter 30

Rachel was mumbling in her sleep, fretting over Cameron and the girls. She was tossing and turning meaning whoever was watching would have to pin her down.

“What is it Rachel?” I stroked her hair back as she dreamt. She was mumbling our names, like she was looking for us.

“We’re here,” I told her, “We’re not going anywhere,”

“It’s probably the infection,” Matt’s sudden appearance made me jump,

“Yeah,” I agreed, “Do you want to take over for a bit?”

“I’m okay for a bit,” Mat shrugged, “Just came to offer you a drink?”

I was about to reply when there was a knock on the front door, Mat and I looked to each other in panic. We were in the middle of nowhere, how could anyone find us here?

I got off the bed and followed Matt in to the lounge, I picked up the pistol out of the drawer and nodded to Matt to open the door.

“Don’t shoot!” Abby held up her hands as I lowered the gun, breathing a sigh of relief.

“How did you find us?” Matt sighed as he hugged his sister in law (Who was now clearly beginning to round) 

“What Abby wants Abby generally gets,” Edward stepped in behind her.

“Where’s Rachel?” Abby asked us.

“She’s not so good,” Matt sighed and moved to the sofa,

“What do you mean?” She looked between us as Matt ran his hands through his hair. I was about to open my mouth to explain when a scream pierced the air. Knowing what it was Matt jumped up and ran to the bedroom while I stood still.

“Joe?” Abby looked to me pleadingly.

“We were hit by a bomb,” I sighed, “Rachel was closest to it and came off worst,” I looked towards the bedroom, “She lost a lot of blood and it looks like the wound is infected, she badly hurt her wrist and she’s having nightmares.”

“She’s struggling?” Edward guessed,

“Yeah,” I swallowed and sat down, “we have to pin her down most of the day.”

“Joe!” Matt shouted me I ran through to the room and took in the blood on the sheets, Matt still holding Rachel to the bed, “She’s pulled the stitches out,”

I swore and went to get the first aid kit.

I worked in silence as Abby helped Matt sooth Rachel.

“Your stitching leaves something to be desired,” Abby teased as I finished and wound a tight bandage around the wound.

“It’s not something we were taught as extensively as you,” I replied as I tied off the bandage and pulled the cover back over her.

“They do the job, that’s what matters,” Matt mumbled. 

They both quietly got up and left me with Rachel, uncomfortable on the armchair I moved up on to the bed and lay on my side against her. Absent mindedly I stroked down the side of her face, now peaceful in sleep.

“Joe?” At first I thought she was dreaming again, but when I looked to her eyes I realised they were half open, watching me.

“Shh,” I told her, “You’re okay,”

“Matt?” She mumbled,

“He’ll be here in a minute,” I told her.

Rachel sighed and rolled on to her side, the painkillers must have been working as she hardly winced as she did so. She shuffled in to me, resting her head on my arm.

“How is she?” Matt asked, he was dressed in some tracksuit bottoms, the ones he had been wearing to sleep in for the past few nights.

“Matt?” Rachel’s voice was groggy as she turned her head to try and face him.

“Hey,” He smiled to  her and lay down on her other side, sandwiching her between us.

“I’ll go,” I moved to get up,

“No,” Rachel’s hand reached out for me, making a grab for my wrist, “Please stay,” As she held my wrist she looked over her shoulder to Matt, “Both of you?”

I smiled and lay back down with them,

“Get some more sleep love,” Matt told her as he gently pressed his lips to her head,

“We can talk in the morning,” I agreed, Rachel didn’t need much more of an invitation as she quickly drifted back off with a small smile on her face.

The next morning I woke up with only Rachel in the bed, I gently kissed her head before slipping out of the room.

“How is she?” Abby asked as she sipped her coco.

“Better,” I nodded and helped myself to coffee, “So why were you so desperate to come and see us after three months?”

“It’s christmas in two weeks,” Abby sighed, “Who knows when we might next have an excuse to meet up?”

“Abby,” Matt complained, “It’s the last thing on our minds right now,”

“It’s what we all need,” Abby argued, “A chance to see each other and relax for a couple of days!”

“I’m not so sure,” I sighed.

“Tough, I’ve already invited the kids,” Abby folded her arms.

“And what are they going to say about Rachel!?” Matt shouted, “Cam will take one look at her and insist on sticking with us for …” He shrugged, none of us knew how long we would be running like this, it could be for the rest of our lives.

“Matt? Joe?” Rachel called to us,

“I’ve not finished with you,” Matt warned Abby as he stormed in to Rachel’s room.

“Why are you shouting?” Rachel frowned as we sat on either side of her.

“Abby had invited the kids around for christmas in two weeks,” I told her calmly, it would be no good her getting stressed about it too.

“I’ll be better in two weeks, they won’t know the difference,” She insisted.

“The kids will know better than that Rachel,” Matt shook his head.

“I want to see them Matt,” She looked to me, “The last time we were away from Cammie this long was …”

“That summer,” I nodded, “Okay, we’ll let them come, just for a day or two.”

“Thank you,” Rachel smiled to us both.