STAY

Three

As soon as I handed over I walked in to introduce the night nurse, she said hello checked a couple of things with me and walked out. "Well goodnight, don't forget to press your button okay?" I said. "Sure, I'll try and remember, you'll be looking after me in the morning right?" He said. "Uh I don't know, I never really know what I'm doing until I get here" I shrugged. "I'll see you in the morning" he said yawning. I nodded, "ring the bell if you need anything and try to sleep" I said softly. It was ridiculous but I was reluctant to go!! "I'll try, but I don't want to ring the bell if you're not answering it" he said with a small smile. My heart suddenly skipped a beat and I grinned, "Well I need my beauty sleep, I can't stay here 24/7" I said laughing. "You couldn't be more beautiful" he said with another small yawn, he had a sleepy smile on his face and I felt his fingers graze my forearm lightly. I was momentarily stunned by his compliment, "you're too sweet ... I'm off okay, goodnight" I said quickly and headed to the door. As I walked past the window I looked in to see him staring at me, I smiled and kept going. I replayed the whole thing in my head all the way home. As I was getting changed I mentally shook myself. Idiot! I thought suddenly, he's an actor, he gets paid to pretend. He's even won an Oscar for it! I shook my head at my stupidity. Plus he was on a lot of medication, he probably won't even remember in the morning. I got into bed yawning as I put my alarm on and thankfully fell asleep pretty much straight away.
***
I groaned as I turned off my phone alarm, but instead of lying in bed until the last possible minute like I usually did, I jumped up and bolted to the shower. I was ready and on my way much earlier than I normally would and if I was honest, I was secretly hoping I'd be looking after him once again. I plastered on my usual expression, which was truly boredom, and walked into the meeting room. Before I'd even sat down my boss said, "room 12". I headed out the door trying not to run down the corridor. As I got near the room my heart started to beat faster, Jesus I needed to calm down I thought to myself!! The night nurse Trudy was sitting at the desk yawning, "how is he?" I said to her. "Ah yeah good morning, I've had a quiet night thanks for asking" she said with a sour look on her face. I tried not to laugh, "sorry Trudy, how did you hold up?" I said. "I'm fine, he's okay, he slept, only woke up a few times to ask for meds" she said. She gave me a bit more of a handover and made a run for the exit. The curtains were pulled across the window and the door was closed so I couldn't see into the room. I quietly opened the door and walked in. He was asleep, his mouth hanging open slightly, his arm was thrown up alongside the pillow. He looked adorable. I decided to let him sleep a little longer and was walking back towards the door, when I heard him yawn and clear his throat. "You're back" he said in a sleepy voice. I turned, "good morning, how are you feeling today?" I said cheerfully walking back to his bedside. "I'm okay, did you sleep?" He asked. "I did thank you, uh can I get you anything?" I said. He shook his head. "No, thanks" he murmured. "You sleep a bit longer before breakfast comes" I said, he nodded and closed his eyes again. I started doing my work, writing notes, getting things ready for him to get out of bed. Not long after his surgeon came to see him, Drew was with him, he grinned at me in greeting and stood by me. I heard the IV machine start to alarm again, frowning I walked over to his bedside. It was from his wrist, he'd kinked it again, if i didn't know better I would think he was doing it on purpose. "Keep your wrist straight" I murmured laying his hand flat. He nodded and looked back at the surgeon who was telling him he'd be able to safely get up and start moving around today. Drew's phone rang and he excused himself and walked out to answer it. As the surgeon wrote some notes I saw Jared's face, he looked anxious, "it'll be fine, we'll take it slowly" I said quietly. He nodded once again, but there was a worried frown still on his face. The surgeon gave me some instructions and promised to come by later. "I don't think I want to get up" said Jared as soon as we were alone. "It's a bit scary I know, but you'll be fine, we'll take it really slowly and you'll feel so much better after you've had a shower and started moving around" I reassured him. "So how does this work, do you get in the shower with me?" He asked with a cheeky grin. I raised an eyebrow, "hmm no, I don't normally get in the shower with my patients" I said trying to suppress my smile. "Well I'll just stay in bed then" he said shrugging. "No way, you're getting up" I said laughing. "You're not going to faint on me are you?" I asked him as I started disconnecting his IV tubing and switching off the machine. "No why? Will you call in help?" He asked. "I might have to if you're going to be troublesome" I said smiling. "Who, that other doctor, the one you were talking to last night and in here just before, the one who can't take his eyes off you? He's into you" he said lightly. I turned to look at him, "Do you mean Drew? No he doesn't" I said shaking my head. "Yeah he does, he just hasn't had the nerve to ask you out I'm guessing" he said, he looked at me waiting for my reply. I shrugged, "he's nice enough, but I don't think he's really interested ..." I suddenly realized who I was talking to and what we were talking about, "then he's crazy" he said, his eyes stared into mine. My heart was racing and I felt my cheeks blazing. "Anyway, enough about my love life ... l don't think I'll need help" I said looking away. As soon as I took out the IV in his hand, he rubbed it gently, "that hurt" he murmured. I nodded, "sorry" I said patting his hand. "Okay, lets do it" I said standing next to the bed and pulling back the sheet. He closed his eyes for a moment then opened them looking back at me. "Jesus, okay, come on then" he said with a heavy sigh. Slowly very slowly, I coaxed him over onto his side, then finally up and sitting on the side of the bed. "Yay, look at you sitting up" I said clapping. He shook his head and grinned, "wow, it doesn't take much to get you excited does it?" He said. "I know right, I'm pathetic" I said laughing. I held out my hands, "okay grab on and I'll walk you to the shower" I said. He grabbed my hands and took a deep breath, slowly and gingerly standing up. "Wow, you're taller than I thought" I said looking up into his face, trying to keep him relaxed. He nodded, "and you're tiny" he replied, his face wore a nervous expression. "Okay let's go, come on" I said softly. I walked backwards towards the bathroom, his grip on my hands was turning them white. We got into the shower and he leaned up against the wall, letting go of my hands. I flicked on the taps and laid out everything he would need. "Okay, I'll just undo the ties on your gown, then you can take your time and get cleaned up" I said, motioning for him to spin around. "Uh, hang on" he said grabbing the bottom of the gown and pulling it together, hiding his bare ass. I couldn't help but giggle quietly as I undid the ties and the gown separated, affording me a great view of his back. "Nice tattoo, your dressing looks great, there you go, I won't be too far" I said, "thanks and thanks" he said and I left shutting the door behind me. I hurriedly cleaned up, changing the bed sheets and preparing it for him to get back in. I heard him calling my name urgently from the bathroom, "I'm coming in" I said opening the door. The sight that greeted me took my breath away. He was standing there naked, save for a washcloth that he was holding over his crotch. His eyes were closed and he was holding onto the wall with the other hand. I shook myself, "hey, what's wrong?" I said clearing my throat trying to sound casual. "I've got shampoo in my eyes, but I felt dizzy and I'm kind of panicking" he said, distress in his voice. "Okay, goodness, okay it's fine" I said quickly. I grabbed the shower chair that he'd pushed out of the way and brought it closer. "Okay I've put the chair behind you, I'm going to help you sit in it" I said grabbing his upper arms and gently guiding him the two steps back and sat him in it. He held onto his washcloth and I grabbed the shower head off the wall hook. "Head back" I said quietly. He did as instructed and I gently rinsed the shampoo out of his eyes. I grabbed another wash cloth and wiped them, he opened them gingerly, until he was sure they weren't stinging anymore. He closed them again as I continued rinsing out his hair until I was sure all the shampoo was out of it. "Do you want me to wash it again?" I asked, he nodded closing his eyes again. I watched him as I did it, I ran my fingers through his hair lathering it up, then gently massaging his scalp. I was taking a little longer than was necessary, but he seemed to be enjoying it. I found I had to resist the urge to lean over and kiss those perfect pink, wet lips. His chest was glistening and perfectly sculpted, I averted my eyes from the hand covering his crotch. "Okay, your hair is clean, are you done everywhere else?" I said clearing my throat. "Yes, I'm done, thank you" he said lifting his head. "Okay, do you need my help to get dry?" I said. "I think I should be okay" he said, he looked embarrassed and I would have done anything at that moment to put him at ease. Instead I walked out closing the door behind me. A few minutes later he emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. I held out a clean gown for him and he shrugged it on, turning automatically so I could tie it up. Then he whipped off the towel and I held out my hands so he could pass it to me, I discarded it on the floor and turned back to him. "Okay hop in" I said, he slowly maneuvered his way into a comfortable position and sighed loudly. "Thanks, sorry I panicked" he murmured. "Think nothing of it, it happens often, your secret is safe with me" I reassured him. He looked at me surprised, then nodded, "Is it? Not many people keep secrets these days" he said, "I'd never disclose patient information, to anyone, you needn't worry, now I'll go get you some pain meds" I said, he nodded and I smiled hurrying off. By the time I came back he was grimacing, "that bad ha?" I asked. He nodded accepting the tablets gratefully. I did some obs on him and made sure he was comfortable. The shift rushed by so quickly, to my disappointment, which was crazy, usually they would drag. "Well bye, I'm off for today, I'll come by and see you tomorrow even if I'm not looking after you" I said sitting on the side of his bed after I'd handed over. "No, you'll be here with me" he said knowingly. I raised a questioning eyebrow, "how would you happen to know that?" I asked. "I spoke to your boss, told her I want you here, when you're on" he said simply. My mouth dropped open. "Well, I'm flattered, that you like my care" I said embarrassed. "Do you have to go?" He asked lightly. "Uh, I haven't got any plans, I can hang around a bit longer" I said. He nodded and grinned. I wasn't sure how much time had passed when the afternoon nurse walked in. "Genevieve, why are you still here?" she asked surprised. I almost felt guilty at getting caught, not that I wasn't allowed to be there, it's just usually we couldn't wait to get away from our patients. "Uh we just got caught up in conversation" I stammered embarrassed. "Don't you have a life?" she said jokingly as she walked over towards the bed. As she grabbed the machine to start doing some obs Jared snatched his arm away. "Out, don't come in here unless I hit that bell" he snapped. She looked shocked and instantly nodded, backing out of the room in a flash. I was surprised by his nastiness. "What's .... what's wrong?" I said slowly. "She was rude, to you" he said by way of explanation. "It's fine, she was joking, I'm sure" I said trying to understand why he would come to my defense. "I don't tolerate comments like that, you shouldn't either" he said frowning at me. "I really don't pay them any attention, I'm not friends with anyone here outside of work" I said quietly. "Not even your doctor?" he asked curiously. "Ah, no, not even him" I said shrugging. He nodded, then smiled. "Shannon is bringing me something to eat, would you like to stay and have a bite, with us?" He asked. I bit my cheek thinking, I really should leave, but a big part of me just wanted to stay and say to hell with it. "I should really go ..." I said trailing off, trying to think of a good excuse to leave. "If you've got nowhere to be, then you should stay" he said dismissively. I slowly nodded, "Okay, sure, thanks I'll stay" I said throwing caution to the wind. It was the nicest evening I'd had in a while. His brother Shannon was hilarious and so kind to his baby brother, you could see how much they cared about one another. I was sorry to leave and they both seemed genuinely sorry to say goodbye to me. "I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early" said Jared smiling. "I'll be early, not sure how bright I'll be though" I said laughing. "You always look bright to me" he said, "well you're on a lot of medication" I said laughing and shaking my head. "Go, sleep, hurry back" said Jared waving at me. I said my goodbyes and left, reluctantly. Already eager to be back in the morning.