Disclaimer: Blue Heelers is not mine and neither is Bette Midler’s song

Wind Beneath My Wings

Jo sat next to Jack’s bed, wringing her hat in her hands. Jack had just

been given the sedative, and was really dopey. He was falling asleep

when he turned to her.

‘Thanks,’ he said.

Jo looked at him curiously. ‘For what?’

But he was asleep.

‘Sign Parrish off,’ Tom told Tess.

‘What for?’ Tess asked.

Tom pointed at Jo, who was doodling on her page. ‘Her mind isn’t going

to be on the job until Jack comes back.’

‘If he comes back,’ Ben said glumly.

‘Thankyou Stewart,’ Tom grumbled.

PJ came out of his office and went over to the boss. ‘I’m finished. How

about I drive Jo down to the hospital?’

Tom nodded. ‘She’s not in a fit state to drive.’

‘Come on Joanna!’ PJ called.

‘What?’ Jo asked, looking up.

‘We’re going down to the hospital.’

Jo sipped at the coffee PJ had got her. She sat back in the chair and

started remembering.

*It must have been cold there in my shadow,

to never have sunlight on your face.*

She remembered Jack’s first impression of her, when she had burst into

Mt Thomas. She had heard Ben tell Jack that she was too old for him.

*You were content to let me shine, that's your way.

You always walked a step behind.*

She grinned as she remembered the night they "slept" together. Jack had

been so noble, going to sleep on the chair till she had told him to hop in.

*So I was the one with all the glory,

while you were the one with all the strain.*

She thought of the many cases they had solved together. Partners.

*A beautiful face without a name for so long.

A beautiful smile to hide the pain.*

She winced as she recalled when he gave up Matilda. She knew how

much pain he must have felt that day. And boy, did she feel it too.

*Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and everything I would like to be?*

She realised how hard it had been for him, confined to a wheelchair. She

hoped this operation would work.

*I can fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings.*

She remembered how he backed her up with Adam Janos and had

supported all of her wild and wacky ideas.

*It might have appeared to go unnoticed,

but I've got it all here in my heart.*

She hugged her arms around herself.

*I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.

I would be nothing without you.*

She chuckled softly, remembering the case with Compo and Ellenor

*Did you ever know that you're my hero?

You're everything I wish I could be.*

She remembered their fishing competition, and how they had had a great

dinner together

*I could fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings.*

She remembered how supportive he was of her when she got into trouble

with the Inspectors and Tess.

*Did I ever tell you you're my hero?

You're everything, everything I wish I could be.

Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,

for you are the wind beneath my wings,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.*

She recalled how they supported each other when Maggie died

*Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,

so high I almost touch the sky.

Thank you, thank you,

thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.*

"I love him," she murmured to herself. She looked upwards. Jo wasn’t

much of a prayerful person, but she might as well try. "Please look after

him," she whispered, a tear glistening in her eye.

"Jo," PJ said, nudging her.

"Hmm?" she asked, waking up. "Jack? Is he okay?"

"He’s out and awake," PJ told her. "He asked me to get you."

Jo scrambled upward and let PJ lead her towards Jack room.

"I’ll be back later," PJ said, leaving them.

"Hey Stretch," Jo smiled, sitting next to him.

"Hey," Jack smiled.

"How are you feeling?" she asked him.

"Terrible," he replied.

"Try moving your legs," she urged him.

Jack nodded and twitched. "Hey!" he smiled.

Jo grinned and in the heat of the moment, hugged him. She moved back

slowly and they both noticed the close proximity of their lips. Jack

moved a little and closed the gap, moulding his mouth to hers.

PJ stood at the door. Grinning.

"How’s Jack?" Tess asked, when PJ returned.

"Being very well looked after," PJ smiled.

Tess raised an eyebrow but Ben and Tom knew exactly what he was

talking about.

Jo curled her body in the hospital bed beside Jack. "Geez it’s cramped

here!"

"I apologise," Jack told her, kissing her forehead.

"Jack, what were you going to say to me before you went into surgery?

You thanked me. What for?"

Jack looked thoughtful for a moment and then remembered. ‘Oh yeah.

That.’

‘Yeah, that,’ Jo said, nudging him playfully. ‘What was it?’

‘I was thanking you for being so supportive, for everything.’

Jo smiled and kissed him. ‘You’re welcome.’

Tom cleared his throat and Jo nearly fell out of the bed.

‘Don’t trouble yourself,’ Tom smiled, taking a seat.

Jo felt a familiar blush rise up her face.

Ben and PJ followed Tom in, with Chris and a huge bunch of flowers

bringing up the rear.