STORY: Adjustments, part 2 of ? (It's a long one LOL)
FANDOM: Remember WENN
AUTHOR: Michele Savage (1998)
RATING: NC-17, M/F, hurt/comfort
SUMMARY: After Hilary is brutally attacked and left for dead, she and Jeff 
have some healing to do.
SETTING: 1942, Pittsburgh
FEEDBACK: Would be muchly appreciated. :-)
ARCHIVE: Hetsketeers. (anywhere else, let me know before archiving please.)
DISCLAIMER: Remember WENN and its characters are copyright Rupert Holmes, 
Howard Meltzer and AMC. No infringement is intended. The story is mine as 
are any original characters.


         "Here, Jeffrey. Drink this coffee." Mrs. O'Malley urged as they 
waited in the stark ER waiting room.
         "I can't Rosie, thanks." He refused for the third time.
         "Son, you need to keep up your own strength." She lightly reprimanded.
         He gave in and took the cup. "I wonder what is taking so long."
         "It's only been an hour."
         Jeff took a deep emotional breath, "I feel like I've been here 
forever."
         The woman gave him a comforting pat on the knee, "It'll be all right."

         "Jeffrey."
         He looked up when he heard the familiar British voice. He stood 
quickly, "Is she going to be all right, Mary?"
         "I'll leave two of you to talk." Mrs. O'Malley said and walked to 
the coffeepot and sat.

         "Let's sit down here Jeff." The woman suggested and sat.
         He sat next to her, "Mary . . ." he said in a worried tone.
         "She was hurt very badly, but she'll be all right." Mary 
explained, and immediately felt a good amount of tension leave the young 
man's body.
         "Thank god." He whispered. More hesitantly, Jeff asked, "What did 
he do to her?"
         Mary took his hand, "She was stabbed twice in the right shoulder; 
right about here," She pointed at her own shoulder as an example. "There 
was a long shallow cut on her chest, she's got several scratches and 
bruises on her face and neck and breasts," she stopped momentarily, seeing 
the sharp reaction her words caused. She draped her arm comfortingly over 
the man's shoulder. It killed her to have to be telling him this. She'd 
come to love the Singer's as if they were her own children.
She hugged him tightly to her before telling him the final news, "Jeff," 
she began softly, "he raped her." No sooner had the words left her mouth 
than she could feel him start to sob against her shoulder. "Let it out, 
love, let it out."  She felt her own tears begin and rocked him gently for 
several moments. She cleared her throat and sat, "Let me go check with the 
doctor, and make sure Hilary is in a private room. I'll let you know when 
you can see her."
         "Thanks, Mary." He hugged her again and wiped the tears on his 
sleeve as she left him alone. With a jolt he realized he himself was still 
covered with blood. *I need to change clothes,* he thought numbly.
         Rosie O'Malley walked back to Jeff when she saw the nurse leave. 
"How is she?"
         "Badly hurt, but she'll be all right." He answered automatically. 
"Mary is going to make sure she's in a room and comfortable before I can 
see her."
         "That's a relief." The woman replied honestly.
         "I just can't get the image of her covered with blood out of my 
mind." Jeff said, while staring at his own bloodstained hands.
         "It'll take a while, Jeff." Rosie said, "But it'll fade like your 
nightmares have."
         "How did you know about those?"
         "Women tend to confide in each other." She answered, "Hilary loves 
you more than she'd admit."
         "I know Rosie," Jeff took a deep breath, "I know it every time she 
looks at me."
         Joe O'Malley stepped into the waiting room and greeted the two. 
"The police have done their business for the night." He explained, "They 
said they'd be by here tomorrow to speak to you."
         "Okay. I'll be here." Jeff replied.
         "Joseph, why don't you take me home, so Jeff here can go be where 
he needs to be." Rosie said, having seen Mary walking toward them.
         "All right, my dear." He agreed. Turning to Jeff, he hugged him, 
"You take care, my boy. And you tell that pretty lady of yours that we're 
all thinking about her."
         "I will, thanks Joe." Jeff acknowledged. "I'll call you tomorrow 
with an update." He turned to the small woman standing next to her husband, 
"Thanks a lot Rosie."
         She hugged Jeff tightly. "You keep your chin up. And don't 
hesitate to call if either of you need us."
         "Rosie," Jeff said before she turned away, "I do need a favor, if 
you would please." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his house 
keys, chose the front door key and handed it to her, "Can you go get me a 
change of clothes. The bedroom is at the top of the stairs, first door on 
the left." He explained, feeling as though someone else was speaking. "My 
dresser is against the wall near the bathroom door."
         "I sure will, honey." She replied, "I'll pack you a few things in 
a suitcase and we'll bring them back tonight. Mary will tell us what room 
you'll be in."
         "Okay, thanks." Jeff responded. He turned to Mary, waited until 
she spoke to the O'Malley's and then asked, "Where is she? I want to see her."
         Mary gestured for him to follow her and they walked toward the 
elevator. "I had them put her in a room on my floor. It's a corner room, 
very private." She explained as they rode upward to the third floor. "And 
before you ask, yes I had them move an extra bed into the room for you."
         "Thanks Mary. I can't tell you enough how much you are appreciated."
         She lay her hand on Jeff's arm, "I'd do anything for you two kids. 
You're the closest thing to a family I have in this world."
         They walked down the hall to the room. Before opening the door, 
Mary stopped Jeff and whispered, "She's still heavily sedated, so it's 
likely she'll sleep for several hours. She needs that sleep right now more 
than anything."
         "All right."
         "If you need anything for any reason, I still have another three 
hours left on my shift. Just call me." Mary told him, then opened the door 
and followed him into the room. "I'll bring the clothes for you when Mrs. 
O'Malley gets back here with them."
         He walked slowly to the bed thinking that he'd never seen his 
Hilary Booth looking so small and helpless. Her jaw and neck were bruised 
and she was wrapped tightly in bandages across her shoulder; the arm in a 
sling to keep it immobile. There was a bandage on her neck, and he assumed 
there were several other bandages he couldn't see for the loosely fitted 
hospital gown and sheet she was tucked into.
         He bent, lightly brushed a kiss across her forehead and whispered 
quietly, "I'm here with you, Mittens. I'm not leaving you."
         She moaned slightly in her sleep. Whether from pain or recognition 
of his voice, Jeff wasn't sure. He looked up and realized that Mary had 
slipped from the room. He started to brush a tendril of hair from Hilary's 
forehead when he noticed his hands were still dirty. Intending to clean 
himself of any remnants of the attack before she woke up, Jeff walked into 
the bathroom.
         He flipped on the light and recoiled in shock at his image. He 
hadn't realized he had so much of her blood on him. Blood was spattered on 
his cheek, his neck and his hands. The shirt he wore would be one he'd 
never wear again. Across his chest where he'd held her was blood-soaked. He 
looked at his pants, blood and dirt from the street were on his legs and 
across the seat when he sat next to Hilary and pulled her into his arms.
         Suddenly the images started flashing in front of his eyes, his 
mind vividly filling in the blanks of what must have happened to her. He 
backed away from the mirror in horror and was stopped by the wall. Suddenly 
the room closed in on him and he felt as if he couldn't breath. Sliding 
down the wall, he curled into a tight ball and tried to block out the 
scene. "No. . . stop . . ." he mumbled against his arms before he broke 
down and completely lost control. "I should have been there to protect 
you." He muttered as he sobbed, "I let you down Hilary."
         He had no idea how long he cowered in the corner of the bathroom 
crying, but suddenly Mary was there. "Jeffrey," She pulled him into her 
arms and rocked him gently, trying to ease as much of his emotional pain as 
she could. He repeatedly mumbled that he'd let Hilary down. Mary tried to 
shush him softly and reminded him that what had happened was out of his 
hands. He'd had no control over it.
         She knew he'd feel better once he was in clean dry clothes, so she 
pulled the clean change of clothes from the suitcase she'd just received 
from Mrs. O'Malley and while rocking him against her, she unbuttoned the 
bloody shirt and let him help her slip it off.
         Seeing blood had soaked through to his skin, Mary gently told him 
she'd give him a sponge bath.
         "No Mary. I can do that." He protested trying to pull himself 
together.
         "Nonsense," she clucked, "Have you forgotten who took care of you 
in London? I've seen more of you than you'd care to admit." She added, in 
hopes of at least making him smile. He gave her a halfhearted grin, which 
to her meant the world. "Here, let's get you off the floor and out of these 
old clothes."
         He let her help him onto the closed lid of the toilet seat and 
helped as she stripped him of the bloody clothes. She filled a pan full of 
warm water and dipped a sponge into it. She wrung out the soft material and 
started to wash his face. He lifted his hand again to protest, "Mary, 
really I can do this."
         She pushed his hand away, "You hush up and let old Mary take care 
of you again. I'll have you nice and clean and warmly dressed in no time."
         He closed his eyes and leaned back, her ministrations beginning to 
relax him. She soon had him dressed and feeling better. "There you are. All 
nice and handsome, like usual."  She planted a motherly kiss on his 
forehead and helped him to his feet. "Let's get you out of here and into 
bed." They walked back into the darkened room, just now beginning to glow 
with the early rising sun. Mary pulled back the covers on the cot that was 
placed next to Hilary's bed.
         Before laying down, Jeff walked to his sleeping wife and kissed 
her softly. "I'm never far from you, Mittens." He whispered then walked 
back to the cot and sat.
         "Here, I brought you a couple sedatives." Mary explained, "I want 
you to take them."
         "No Mary." He protested, "I want to be able to wake if she needs me."
         "Jeffrey, you need to get your sleep as much as she does. I and 
the other nurses will be checking on her regularly." She reminded. She 
handed him the pills and a dixie-cup of water, "Now you take these and 
sleep as long as your body needs to."
         "You aren't going to take no for an answer." He commented.
         "You've known me long enough Jeffrey Singer, to know the answer to 
that." She retorted as she waited until he took the pills.
         He took the medicine and lay down. As he pulled the covers up, he 
glanced at the woman who slept in the next bed. "You'll take care of her," 
He whispered.
         "Don't you worry. She is in very capable hands here." Mary said, 
as she tucked him in tightly.
         As she walked away, Jeff suddenly sat, having remembered 
something. "I need to call Scott."
         "What?" Mary asked, turning back toward him.
         "I need to tell him we won't be in tonight. He'll have to find 
someone else to do Calico Jones." Jeff continued.
         Mary pushed him back, "You lay down. I'll call Mr. Sherwood and 
explain."
         "You won't-" Jeff started to say, not wanting everything to be 
spread through the WENN grapevine.
         "I'll tell him what he needs to know and that's all. Anything else 
is up to you." She assured. "Now lay down before I tie you down."
         Jeff gave in with a smile, "Thanks Mary." She left the room, and 
Jeff lay on his side facing Hilary. The bed he was in was substantially 
lower than hers, but he still was comforted by the sound of her even 
breathing. "Dream peacefully, darling." He whispered before closing his 
eyes and wishing for a dreamless slumber for himself.

         Scott hung up the phone, his mind still not quite believing what 
Mary Ellis had just told him. She explained that due to the nature of the 
attack, it was best to keep the details to himself and let Jeff and Hilary 
decide how much they wanted everyone to know. He looked up and saw Maple 
walking past his open office door.
         "Hey, Mapes. Could ya come here a second? And shut the door behind 
you." He called.
         "Sure Scotty, what's up?"
         "Do you think you and Mackie can be available to do Calico Jones 
tonight?"
         She chuckled, "What's the matter, Hilary and Jeff have the blue 
flue. Again?
         "It's a little more serious than that Maple." Scott said somberly.
         She sat as her smiled faded with the serious look on his face, 
"What's wrong?"
         He sat back, propped his elbow on the arm of his chair and covered 
his mouth with his hand, "Maple what I'm going to tell you doesn't leave 
this room. I'm only telling you because I think you'd be the understanding 
ear Hilary's going to need." He sat and relayed the message that Mary had 
just told him.
         "Oh jeez, Scotty. Is she going to be okay?"
         "You know Hildy, she's strong." He sat straight, "With a lot of 
love and patience, she'll get through this."
         "How is Jeff taking it?" Maple asked.
         "Mary said she sedated him to get him to sleep, but he's not 
taking this well." Scott explained.
         "Do they have a jinx magnet or something?" Maple questioned, "it 
seems like no sooner than things start going right for them, things go 
wrong again."
         "I don't know Mapes. Only three months ago we were at their wedding."
         "Yeah." Maple answered, "Hey Scotty do you think you can do 
without me until Calico Jones tonight? I'm going to run to the hospital."
         "You go ahead. Give Hil a hug for me okay; and tell them you are 
the only person I told. I'll tell everyone else they've got the flu or 
something." Scott told her.
         "Sure thing, Scotty. I'll be back by seven." Maple said and left 
the office.

         Jeff awoke to the sound of muffled voices. He sat and realized 
that Hilary was awake and talking to Maple.
         "Oh look, Sleeping Beauty is awake." Maple said with a grin.
         Hilary slowly turned her head towards where she'd heard him 
stirring and winced as a bolt of pain told her she'd moved too far. She 
must have audibly moaned because Jeff was at her side in an instant.
         "Darling, you okay?"
         "Yes, I just turned my head too far." She assured him.
         He glanced at Maple, "What are you doing here?"
         "Scotty told me."
         Jeff huffed frustratedly, "I told Mary-"
         "Everyone else thinks you both have the flu." Maple interrupted 
his words, "Scotty told me because he knew I'd understand."
         "It's all right, Pumpkin." Hilary spoke up, "You know, Maple and I 
have actually been talking,"
         "Yeah that's a first," Maple interrupted with a chuckle.
         "There is really a lot we have in common." Hilary continued.
         Maple looked at her watch, "Such as we're both going to miss 
Calico Jones tonight if I don't get my keister back to the station." She 
stood, "Anytime you want to talk, Hilary, I gave you my phone number. Don't 
worry about the time, day or night."
         Hilary reached for the woman's hand, "Thank you Maple. I haven't 
always been kind to you but I do want you to know that you are a friend."
         "She's always mean to people she loves, look at me." Jeff added as 
he walked to the side of the bed that Maple stood on.
         Maple smiled and lay a hand on Jeff's arm, "Same goes for you too 
you know. If you need to talk, call."
         "Thanks Maple. I will." Jeff acknowledged and watched as she 
walked out of the room.
         He pulled up a chair and sat, "How are you feeling?" he asked 
softly, brushing his thumb across Hilary's forehead.
         "Like I've been hit by a truck." She with a wan grin, "I ache in 
parts of my body I didn't know -could- ache."
         "I'm so sorry I didn't follow you out." Jeff apologized, trying to 
stop threatening tears.
         Hilary slowly lifted the arm nearest Jeff and lay her hand on his 
cheek, "Pumpkin, it isn't your fault. I stood outside the door at the pub 
for several minutes fighting with myself over whether or not to go back 
in." She explained, "I'd been lying here awake until Maple came in and 
going over the what ifs in my head. What if I'd gone back in; what if you'd 
followed me home? Darling if we dwell on those questions it'll tear us both 
apart."
         She drew a careful deep breath and tried to lighten the mood, "Why 
don't you open the curtains. Lets see what kind of March day it is out."
         A knock was heard on the door and Jeff moved to answer it. "Hi 
Rosie" he said as Mrs. O'Malley stepped into the room carrying a bouquet of 
flowers. "Thanks for the clothes."
         "Oh it was no problem." She said, "Here is your key." She handed 
Jeff his door key.
         "Oh, thanks." He said as he put the key in his pocket.
         She walked into the room, "Hello Hilary." She said as she noticed 
the woman was awake. "I brought you some flowers from my garden."
         "Oh Rosie those are lovely, thank you." Hilary responded when the 
woman walked into her line of sight.
         "Where do you want me to set them?"
         "Could you put them on this table here," Hilary pointed to the 
small table next to the bed, "That way I can see them. I can't turn my head 
to the right."
         "All right then," Rosie said as she placed the flowers within 
Hilary's line of vision.
         "They smell lovely, too. Don't they Jeffrey?" Hilary noted.
         "Yes they do, Mittens." He replied and walked closer to her. He 
casually lay a hand on her leg as he couldn't reach her hand.
         When she felt the contact on her leg, Hilary recoiled, pulling 
away in an automatic reflex. She winced at the pain her sudden movement caused.
         Jeff pulled his hand away quickly, "I'm sorry, I didn't think."
         Hilary covered her forehead with her hand and said sadly, "You 
shouldn't have to think about where you touch me."
         "Let me leave the two of you alone." Rosie mentioned, suddenly 
feeling as if she were in the way.
         "No, Rosie, you don't have to leave." Hilary responded.
         "Please stay and visit." Jeff added. "Since I'm not privileged 
enough for a catered meal, I'm going to run to the cafeteria to eat 
something." He bent to kiss Hilary, "You'll be all right?"
         "Of course she will. We'll have a nice visit while you are gone." 
Mrs. O'Malley assured him.
         Jeff left the room and stopped at the nurses station to let them 
know where he would be should Hilary need him for anything.
         They assured him everything would be okay and he walked on to the 
elevator. One nurse turned to the other, "Gee that's a lucky woman."
         Her companion chuckled, "Yeah, we should all be so lucky. That is 
one swell looking man."
         The first nurse that spoke giggled and handed her friend a chart. 
"Here get your mind back onto the work."

To be continued ...
Biz


Bizarra@infinet.com