RP log with straight2point | Finding familiarity
Non-prompt RP log with straight2point | Backdated to following THIS
James felt less like he had been hit by a bus when he woke the second time. 'Better' probably was a bit of a strong description, but it felt less like his head was being squished in a vice than when he woke and found Pierce at his bedside. He had actually thought he dreamt that, until Pierce eventually did touch his hand and James realised it was very real. He really had done it and he was back. That was a lot to try and absorb barely minutes after waking from a coma, and he had inevitably given into sleep all over again while his body and mind, and maybe even soul, tried to heal.
This time, the lights didn't feel as bright, and the covers didn't feel as heavy. The beeping wasn't assaulting his senses, even if it was annoying. The beeping meant he was alive, which really was the only start he was hoping for. He put his hand up to rub groggily at his eyes, trying to ignore the fact he had IVs in both hands. Fuck, he hated being in hospital. He hated it with a vengeance, even if he had planned the whole thing. He was still allowed to hate it, and his nose scrunched up in annoyance now he was aware of his surroundings and he couldn't stifle the small, hoarse growl that came along with it.
Harri straightened up in the chair beside James' bed, and leaned forward into his line of sight so he knew he wasn't alone. She'd been waiting patiently since Pierce left, letting herself sleep as James slept. She still wasn't leaving his side, despite the wishes of the doctors and nurses. They could all get fucked as far as Harri was concerned. She covered his hand with hers, and gave him a small smile. "Welcome back, James."
James started just a little when he realised he wasn't alone. But it was Harri, and he sucked in a breath, feeling his heart quicken slightly as he looked over her face. He hooked his fingers with hers and tried to squeeze them, but it was weak, and he felt that sting behind his eyes threatening tears. "Do you hate me?" he whispered. From the start, he had wished he could have told her everything before he did it, but it would have been too hard on her. He did what he did to protect her, all the while knowing he risked her just walking away because he was too much hassle... and taking their child with her. The fears clawed back to the surface and his stomach turned a little. "I'm so sorry."
Harri looked at him, tears pricking the backs of her eyes. She couldn't blame them on hormones, she knew exactly where these tears came from. "No, love. No... I could never hate you. Maybe it would be easier if I could, but I don't. I love you, James. I've spent more time in this chair than I have any one place. I nearly risked our child because I couldn't eat, or sleep without being scared you'd die while I wasn't looking. That's not hate." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his cheek. "Don't be sorry, just be okay. Make sure this was worth it."
James' breathing was shallow, but it only came from having a tube down his throat for days on end. "I needed to just... there was no other way," he tried explain, a few tears escaping and dripping down his cheeks. "I-I couldn't do it anymore. I was going crazy... I didn't know who I was. I thought I could do it, but I fucked up. And now... now I have to deal with the failure and... people are going to hate me. I-I didn't think you would still be here."
Harri pushed his hair back from his forehead, and kissed it. "You need to have more faith in me, love. Trust me to still be here no matter what happens. You also need to trust that the people who love you really love you. Isabel, Ali,Aiden ... they've all been here. Pierce must value you to have come here. Alex did his best, too. I think he and Isabel might kill each other. He broughtAiden for me, though. Told him I needed him... No one hates you, James."
"Pierce thinks I'm a gigantic haemorrhoid," James had to laugh slightly, despite the tears. He closed his eyes momentarily when a wash of pain swept over him, causing him to swallow heavily. As much as he wanted to, the healing wasn't one thing he was going to be able to rush and he was going to be reliant on those around him until he got back on his feet. "Going to be stuck at a desk 'til our kid is eighty, I think. If I even get a desk. He might make me work off the floor." He opened his eyes again, his forehead creasing. "That feels weird... the name. I need to get to know myself again."
"Hey, if anyone can look sexy working on the floor, it's you. Make it work for you." Harri used her thumb to brush away his tears, and moved to get his cup of water with a straw. She offered it to him, keeping the straw straight. "You do whatever you feel the need to, love. I'll need to get to know you again, too."
James was getting emotional all over again and more tears spilt over. He rolled his eyes in annoyance at himself. Hell, he was worse than Ali. He wet his lips and took a few small sips of the water, enjoying the relief it brought to his dry throat. "What if you don't like what I really am?" he said in a small voice. He knew it was a possibility, and it scared him. The real him was leaps and bounds from what he had been trained to become.
Harri let out a sigh. "What you really are? James, you're human. You're human like everyone else, and regardless of who you were as Marc, you've still been the only man to make me stop and consider that being with someone in a relationship like this isn't such a bad thing. I'm pregnant with your child... I've sat by your bedside. I signed your piece of paper. I've done everything you've ever asked of me, love. I don't think there is anyone you could be that I wouldn't like unless you were some kind ofkiddy fiddling priest."
"The paper is kinda defunct now, but it still means the world to me," James told her. He turned his head on the pillow so he could rest it closer to hers. Anyone passing probably would know not to interrupt the moment. "I take kiddy fiddling priests down. Crimes Against Children. That's one of my FBI specialties. I realise now there is so much you need to know and I don't even know where to start. I don't know where I belong. I guess it's just going to take time. At least you can know I won't be disappearing at the drop of a hat for awhile now. Have you been okay? I mean, that's a stupid question, I know. I just mean... you saidAiden was here. Was he helping you? Another stupid question." He rubbed his forehead, trying to get his brain to stay on an even keel.
"There's no such thing as a stupid question. And for the record, I'm glad you're one of those guys that catches the kiddy fiddling priests. It means our child will be in good hands. I know there's a lot you'll have to tell me, but we have time. There's always time." Harri smiled. "He took care of me better than I could take care of myself. I wasn't okay, but I am now. I also managed to break through with Ali. She gave me her teddy. Also gave this..." Harri stood up to bring a key out of her pocket; the same storage unit key Ali gave her. "It's the key to your life, love."
James looked at her in confusion. Teddy? "You mean Jimbo?" he said and then let out a slow, disbelieving breath. He looked at the key, the frown on his forehead deepening. "I... don't understand," he murmured, taking the key. He didn't recognise it at all. He met her eyes again. "I'm so glad you two talked. I was worrying you might not ever get along." But then his eyes were on the key again, reaching to touch his fingers to it. To his life? It didn't make any sense.
"Yes, Jimbo. Ali said it was his turn to look after me." Harri sat back down, and took his hand to press the key into it. "Ali put all your things into storage. She couldn't get rid of any of your things. They're all still waiting for you, love. You can have your life back."
"Oh god," James managed to get out before he lost it completely. It was the last thing he expected. The things from his old life, he never even contemplated. Ali's apartment looked so much like hers for her family now that it hadn't created any reason for him to even think what had happened to his things. His hand wrapped around the key and he put his fist to his mouth, tears streaming down his cheeks. Maybe he really hadn't lost everything. Maybe it was still there, just in different places he needed to find it. With new additions.
Harri rest her head against his, and stroked her hand against his chest. "I'm here for as long as you want me to be. For as long as you'll have us. And I'll be here even after I learn who you really are, James. I promise."
James nodded and put his arm up to hug her as well as he could manage with all the tubes. Everything was catching up with him and really did just want to try and get back to something that resembled a normal life. He knew his home was Ali's now, so he wouldn't be going back there, but he would deal with that. "I'm sorry it's been so hard for you. From now on, I'll do everything it takes to just try and... get things okay. They've got to be okay. Maybe even happy."
"We'll be okay, James. There's no rush, I promise. You just take care of yourself first." Harri stayed close to him as she took a deep breath. "I was thinking... maybe we should get a new apartment. I don't know where, or how, but we need a place that's ours."
James looked at her, his eyes red and wet now, but nodded. "I'd really like that," he admitted quietly. "Not that I don't like your place, but I just... I... I don't know."
"It's not you," Harri suggested with a smile. "It's okay, you know. You're allowed to say that. I was thinking about it while I was sitting here... We need a place that's both of us. Not just me. Not just Marc. It has to be James and Harri."
"And the plus one," James added with a tearful laugh. "God, I'm turning into Ali or the pregnant is rubbing off on me."
Harri kissed at his tears, and nuzzled against his cheek. "I wasn't much better, so it's almost a relief to know you're going to be a mess with me."
"You should probably now that I'm a horrible patient. You might want to bound and gag me before the week is out," James warned, letting his arms rest weakly around her. The closeness... it was almost like he hadn't felt it like this with her before, and maybe he hadn't. Maybe he hadn't really let himself feel it and got out at the best time. Before he really lost himself.
"So that's one thing about you that's true? You've told me that before, love. And I'm still here. I'm a glutton for punishment. I might just whip you into submission instead," she smirked. This was what she'd needed. She realised now that no matter what had passed between them, they really hadn't had this. There was a sense of intimacy that had been missing, and Harri was grateful that he had wanted to get James back. She was starting to realise she had needed James, and so did their plus one.
Word Count | 2,086
James felt less like he had been hit by a bus when he woke the second time. 'Better' probably was a bit of a strong description, but it felt less like his head was being squished in a vice than when he woke and found Pierce at his bedside. He had actually thought he dreamt that, until Pierce eventually did touch his hand and James realised it was very real. He really had done it and he was back. That was a lot to try and absorb barely minutes after waking from a coma, and he had inevitably given into sleep all over again while his body and mind, and maybe even soul, tried to heal.
This time, the lights didn't feel as bright, and the covers didn't feel as heavy. The beeping wasn't assaulting his senses, even if it was annoying. The beeping meant he was alive, which really was the only start he was hoping for. He put his hand up to rub groggily at his eyes, trying to ignore the fact he had IVs in both hands. Fuck, he hated being in hospital. He hated it with a vengeance, even if he had planned the whole thing. He was still allowed to hate it, and his nose scrunched up in annoyance now he was aware of his surroundings and he couldn't stifle the small, hoarse growl that came along with it.
Harri straightened up in the chair beside James' bed, and leaned forward into his line of sight so he knew he wasn't alone. She'd been waiting patiently since Pierce left, letting herself sleep as James slept. She still wasn't leaving his side, despite the wishes of the doctors and nurses. They could all get fucked as far as Harri was concerned. She covered his hand with hers, and gave him a small smile. "Welcome back, James."
James started just a little when he realised he wasn't alone. But it was Harri, and he sucked in a breath, feeling his heart quicken slightly as he looked over her face. He hooked his fingers with hers and tried to squeeze them, but it was weak, and he felt that sting behind his eyes threatening tears. "Do you hate me?" he whispered. From the start, he had wished he could have told her everything before he did it, but it would have been too hard on her. He did what he did to protect her, all the while knowing he risked her just walking away because he was too much hassle... and taking their child with her. The fears clawed back to the surface and his stomach turned a little. "I'm so sorry."
Harri looked at him, tears pricking the backs of her eyes. She couldn't blame them on hormones, she knew exactly where these tears came from. "No, love. No... I could never hate you. Maybe it would be easier if I could, but I don't. I love you, James. I've spent more time in this chair than I have any one place. I nearly risked our child because I couldn't eat, or sleep without being scared you'd die while I wasn't looking. That's not hate." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his cheek. "Don't be sorry, just be okay. Make sure this was worth it."
James' breathing was shallow, but it only came from having a tube down his throat for days on end. "I needed to just... there was no other way," he tried explain, a few tears escaping and dripping down his cheeks. "I-I couldn't do it anymore. I was going crazy... I didn't know who I was. I thought I could do it, but I fucked up. And now... now I have to deal with the failure and... people are going to hate me. I-I didn't think you would still be here."
Harri pushed his hair back from his forehead, and kissed it. "You need to have more faith in me, love. Trust me to still be here no matter what happens. You also need to trust that the people who love you really love you. Isabel, Ali,Aiden ... they've all been here. Pierce must value you to have come here. Alex did his best, too. I think he and Isabel might kill each other. He broughtAiden for me, though. Told him I needed him... No one hates you, James."
"Pierce thinks I'm a gigantic haemorrhoid," James had to laugh slightly, despite the tears. He closed his eyes momentarily when a wash of pain swept over him, causing him to swallow heavily. As much as he wanted to, the healing wasn't one thing he was going to be able to rush and he was going to be reliant on those around him until he got back on his feet. "Going to be stuck at a desk 'til our kid is eighty, I think. If I even get a desk. He might make me work off the floor." He opened his eyes again, his forehead creasing. "That feels weird... the name. I need to get to know myself again."
"Hey, if anyone can look sexy working on the floor, it's you. Make it work for you." Harri used her thumb to brush away his tears, and moved to get his cup of water with a straw. She offered it to him, keeping the straw straight. "You do whatever you feel the need to, love. I'll need to get to know you again, too."
James was getting emotional all over again and more tears spilt over. He rolled his eyes in annoyance at himself. Hell, he was worse than Ali. He wet his lips and took a few small sips of the water, enjoying the relief it brought to his dry throat. "What if you don't like what I really am?" he said in a small voice. He knew it was a possibility, and it scared him. The real him was leaps and bounds from what he had been trained to become.
Harri let out a sigh. "What you really are? James, you're human. You're human like everyone else, and regardless of who you were as Marc, you've still been the only man to make me stop and consider that being with someone in a relationship like this isn't such a bad thing. I'm pregnant with your child... I've sat by your bedside. I signed your piece of paper. I've done everything you've ever asked of me, love. I don't think there is anyone you could be that I wouldn't like unless you were some kind ofkiddy fiddling priest."
"The paper is kinda defunct now, but it still means the world to me," James told her. He turned his head on the pillow so he could rest it closer to hers. Anyone passing probably would know not to interrupt the moment. "I take kiddy fiddling priests down. Crimes Against Children. That's one of my FBI specialties. I realise now there is so much you need to know and I don't even know where to start. I don't know where I belong. I guess it's just going to take time. At least you can know I won't be disappearing at the drop of a hat for awhile now. Have you been okay? I mean, that's a stupid question, I know. I just mean... you saidAiden was here. Was he helping you? Another stupid question." He rubbed his forehead, trying to get his brain to stay on an even keel.
"There's no such thing as a stupid question. And for the record, I'm glad you're one of those guys that catches the kiddy fiddling priests. It means our child will be in good hands. I know there's a lot you'll have to tell me, but we have time. There's always time." Harri smiled. "He took care of me better than I could take care of myself. I wasn't okay, but I am now. I also managed to break through with Ali. She gave me her teddy. Also gave this..." Harri stood up to bring a key out of her pocket; the same storage unit key Ali gave her. "It's the key to your life, love."
James looked at her in confusion. Teddy? "You mean Jimbo?" he said and then let out a slow, disbelieving breath. He looked at the key, the frown on his forehead deepening. "I... don't understand," he murmured, taking the key. He didn't recognise it at all. He met her eyes again. "I'm so glad you two talked. I was worrying you might not ever get along." But then his eyes were on the key again, reaching to touch his fingers to it. To his life? It didn't make any sense.
"Yes, Jimbo. Ali said it was his turn to look after me." Harri sat back down, and took his hand to press the key into it. "Ali put all your things into storage. She couldn't get rid of any of your things. They're all still waiting for you, love. You can have your life back."
"Oh god," James managed to get out before he lost it completely. It was the last thing he expected. The things from his old life, he never even contemplated. Ali's apartment looked so much like hers for her family now that it hadn't created any reason for him to even think what had happened to his things. His hand wrapped around the key and he put his fist to his mouth, tears streaming down his cheeks. Maybe he really hadn't lost everything. Maybe it was still there, just in different places he needed to find it. With new additions.
Harri rest her head against his, and stroked her hand against his chest. "I'm here for as long as you want me to be. For as long as you'll have us. And I'll be here even after I learn who you really are, James. I promise."
James nodded and put his arm up to hug her as well as he could manage with all the tubes. Everything was catching up with him and really did just want to try and get back to something that resembled a normal life. He knew his home was Ali's now, so he wouldn't be going back there, but he would deal with that. "I'm sorry it's been so hard for you. From now on, I'll do everything it takes to just try and... get things okay. They've got to be okay. Maybe even happy."
"We'll be okay, James. There's no rush, I promise. You just take care of yourself first." Harri stayed close to him as she took a deep breath. "I was thinking... maybe we should get a new apartment. I don't know where, or how, but we need a place that's ours."
James looked at her, his eyes red and wet now, but nodded. "I'd really like that," he admitted quietly. "Not that I don't like your place, but I just... I... I don't know."
"It's not you," Harri suggested with a smile. "It's okay, you know. You're allowed to say that. I was thinking about it while I was sitting here... We need a place that's both of us. Not just me. Not just Marc. It has to be James and Harri."
"And the plus one," James added with a tearful laugh. "God, I'm turning into Ali or the pregnant is rubbing off on me."
Harri kissed at his tears, and nuzzled against his cheek. "I wasn't much better, so it's almost a relief to know you're going to be a mess with me."
"You should probably now that I'm a horrible patient. You might want to bound and gag me before the week is out," James warned, letting his arms rest weakly around her. The closeness... it was almost like he hadn't felt it like this with her before, and maybe he hadn't. Maybe he hadn't really let himself feel it and got out at the best time. Before he really lost himself.
"So that's one thing about you that's true? You've told me that before, love. And I'm still here. I'm a glutton for punishment. I might just whip you into submission instead," she smirked. This was what she'd needed. She realised now that no matter what had passed between them, they really hadn't had this. There was a sense of intimacy that had been missing, and Harri was grateful that he had wanted to get James back. She was starting to realise she had needed James, and so did their plus one.
Word Count | 2,086