Companion Jones

Of course, you kept your mouth shut at work. There, you were surrounded by people who knew more than you. From Robby and Abbot to Dana and Matteo, you didn't think there was a single person you mentally out-ranked. Well, that was a lie. Maybe Natalie. It was her first day. It was Joy and Ogilvie's first day, too, but they were doctors. You were just a nurse, like Natalie. Like Natalie too, you didn't even have seniority to fall back on. All that went to nurses like Dana and Jesse. So obviously, you kept your head down.

Another lie. You had no problem perking up once Dr. Jack Abbot came in. You could never keep your eyes off him. He was the most capable person you'd ever met. From noticing his cowboy-like instincts to hearing about his coping skills, you couldn't get enough of eavesdropping on conversations about the man.

It was only an hour since Abbot came into your view that day, and already you wished you weren't paying so close attention to him.

Because every time he so much as smiled at a woman or stood next to someone for too long, you felt your cheeks burn and you got almost too dizzy to do your job. And you knew today was going to be rough. Not only was he all smiles with Dr. Mohan, but Dr. Al-Hashimi as well? You hated the latter. You didn't like how she came in all gun-ho, ready to change everything.

None of that really mattered after a certain point, though. Because after that certain point, you learned that Abbot had not only been shot at, but he'd been hit. "Lightly grazed" as he had put it. It didn't matter that you'd been listening close by while he was talking to Mohan because you were gone before anybody had noticed. Your bad though, you crossed in front of Jack's door while subtly wiping some tears off your face.

He caught up to you a few minutes later, on the rooftop. You were sitting with your back against the brick wall that held the door.

When the door opened suddenly, you flinched away from it, taking full gasps of air. You were already in the middle of a full-blown panic attack.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey," Jack sank down in front of you. "What's-what's wrong? Did-did someone do something to you? Tell me who, sweetheart."

You were so far gone that neither the term of endearment, nor your own words mattered to you. "You-you did!" you accused angrily.

Jack paled and sat up a little straighter. "I did?" His eyes went wide. "Tell me what I did."

Somewhere between your hiccups and sobs, you indicated that it was Abbot's bullet wound that was bothering you.

"Oh, that?" He seemed almost relieved. "Honey, you don't need to worry about that. You don't need to worry about me. I'm okay."

For a moment, you were shocked out of your tears. "What the hell--? You were shot--"

"--Shot at--" he quickly corrected.

"--Whatever!" you yelled, "You were shot at, and you're walking around like it doesn't matter if you get hurt or-or worse or--" Your voice was breaking.

Jack took you in his arms.

For a moment, that calmed you. It felt like that was all you'd ever wanted.

"You know," Jack started, gravel in his throat, "this is hardly fair."

Your labored breathing waited for him to continue.

He did. "You break down at the first sign of trouble with me, but I'm supposed to sit back and watch you put yourself through hell everyday?"

You pulled yourself away from Jack to look at him with shock and confusion.

"I see the way you react every time you make a mistake. They happen, we all make them, yet you act like you have to be Little Miss Perfect out there all day everyday."

"Am I that obvious?" You were defeated.

He shook his head. "Not to everyone. I notice because I notice everything about you."

That struck a cord with you. "Why...didn't...you say anything?" It took a moment for your mouth to catch up with your mind.

A small smile forced the corner of his lips up. "Because look at us, sweetheart." He relaxed his position so you were still in his lap, but he rested back on his hands. "I'm an old man. You're a young beauty. You don't deserve me coming into your life and robbin' your youth from you."

Your brow furrowed. "What if that's exactly what I want?"

Jack looked like he had thought about this many times in the past. He seemed resolute. "You don't want me."

You nodded your head, as if to argue I do before leaning in and kissing him.

Jack kept breaking the kiss to mumble, "You don't want me."

Every time he did, you took the opportunity to whisper back, "I do, I do, I do."

Eventually, the two of you were full-on making out on the rooftop of PTMC.

The next person to speak was, of course, Michael Robinavich. He opened the door, spotted you and Jack, and stuttered, "Oh! Oh, I'm-I'm sorry--" He abruptly shut the metal door, then opened it again to explain his presence. "The CEO is headed our way, for some reason. Him and Gloria want everyone in the Pitt so they can tell us something." While he said this, Robby's eyes were everywhere except you and Jack.

Jack, on the other hand, his eyes wouldn't leave yours as he stroked your cheek. "We're on our way," he responded to Robby.

The metal door shut again, and you and Jack were granted a few more seconds alone.

"So, I guess you want me." Jack went on, a smile tugging at his lips. "Which is really good news, 'cause I can't remember wanting something as much as I want you."

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I would also really appreciate a comment, if you have the time. If you would like to read more, check out my masterlists. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3

Dry lightning cracks across the skies Those storm clouds gather in her eyes

You knew that the storm had been coming for a while. Calmly, you collected what you could from the house, and brought it down to your cellar. Some food, water, and pictures of your mother. You didn't need much to get by.

Her daddy was a mean old mister Her momma was an angel in the ground

You thought about all the times your father hit you. You thought about all the times he hit your momma. You thought about the day she didn't get back up after he hit her.

The weatherman called for a twister She prayed, blow it down

Finally, the news told the area to take shelter, but you already knew. As you quietly gathered the rest of your things, you hoped that would be the last time you'd see that house.

There's not enough rain in Oklahoma To wash the sins out of that house There's not enough wind in Oklahoma To rip the nails out of the past

You could still feel the bruises from the last time your father had laid hands on you. You could still feel his hands around your neck because his team didn't win the game last night.

Shatter every window 'til it's all blown away Every brick, every board, every slammin' door blown away 'Til there's nothing left standin', nothing left of yesterday Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away Blown away

You had fantasized doing this for so long, but never had the guts to, and a twister had never come this close to your home. Now, your house was right in its path, and you knew it was either now or never.

She heard those sirens screamin' out Her daddy laid there past out on the couch

It was getting close now. The sirens would have woken you up, but your father was still fast asleep. Part of you wanted to say it was because someone above was finally looking out for you.

She locked herself in the cellar Listened to the screamin' of the wind Some people called it taking shelter She called it sweet revenge

The sound of the wind from where you were underground was haunting. You had your knees pulled up to your chest, but you didn't move a muscle as the storm raged overhead.

You were thinking of your father that whole time. Little voices in your head said to go back for him, but a much louder voice was shouting at you to stay put.

Shatter every window 'til it's all blown away Every brick, every board, every slammin' door blown away 'Til there's nothing left standin', nothing left of yesterday Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away Blown away

For a long time, there were the sounds of wind and debris flying. You didn't know how long you sat there with only the sound of your breathing. All you knew was when you did go to open the cellar door, it didn't budge.

There's not enough rain in Oklahoma To wash the sins out of that house There's not enough wind in Oklahoma To rip the nails out of the past

You sat alone in that cellar for days. You thanked whoever was looking out for you that you had food and water. Part of you was scared that this was what you were getting for what you did. But you tried to hold out hope that someone would find you.

Shatter every window 'til it's all blown away Every brick, every board, every slammin' door blown away 'Til there's nothing left standin', nothing left of yesterday Every tear-soaked whiskey memory blown away Blown away, blown away

On the third day, you finally heard some movement. You heard yells, too. After you indicated where you were, it wasn't long before the cellar doors were opening for you.

It took a minute for your eyes to adjust to the light so you could see who was crouched in front of you.

Just as your eyes could fully make him out, you heard a man say, "Hi, I'm Tyler. Are you okay?"

Blown away, blown away

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Fill up that heart and reblog if you liked it. I would also really appreciate a comment, if you have the time. If you would like to read more, check out my masterlists. Have a nice day, night, or whatever time it is for you! <3 <3 <3