The first week was awkward, well it would be for any adult who had suddenly found themselves incapable of walking into a bathroom by themselves. Because both feet were out of commission and the wheel chair was too wide to fit through the bathroom door, Gage carried her to the facilities. He knew when it was that time because her face turned red at the thought of having to ask for such a personal thing. She apologized over and over every time, but he shook his head.

By the third day he'd had enough of her apologies, "You wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for me. I'm the one who insisted on a bath!"

Jesse's mouth hung open in shock. She couldn't believe the guilt she saw in his eyes. "Gage, you can't honestly believe you're responsible for this."

"Of course, don't you?"

Jesse burst out laughing, "I'm naturally clumsy, you just haven't known me long enough to know that, but add to the less than graceful exit strategy my being hungover, barely able to think and tada you have me spread eagle on a bathroom floor."

He frowned his eyes glaring. "I'm still not happy about it."

"Good, because that would be kind of sick if you were."

He shook his head flashing a tiny grin.

Marty and Gage took turns looking after Jesse, it wasn't as if they could take off work to watch her. So she often found herself alone in the house for several hours. And in that time she would just relax on the sofa watching television until one or both returned. It was nice, they were nice and she loved them. It never occurred to her that friends could be this generous. So when Marty came home after a particularly hellacious day at work Jesse told her it was her turn to lay on the sofa and get waited on. Then Jesse rolled out of the living room into the kitchen and ordered pizza. She also brought her a large glass of ice tea.

About a half hour later Gage arrived and ten minutes after that so did the pizza.

Jesse grabbed some paper plates and then made a glass of tea for Gage. After setting the table she called everyone to the kitchen table.

Marty had dozed off so was confused when she ambled into the kitchen. Then she grinned. "Wow, I can't believe you did this, thank you. I so didn't want to cook tonight."

"You really shouldn't have to," Jesse said feeling bad.

"It's what I do for people I love," Marty said absently while grabbing a slice.

Jesse beamed while Gage patted his cousin's shoulder affectionately.

Then he frowned.

Jesse noticed his face, "What's wrong?"

"What do I do for the people I love," he asked in all seriousness? It had never occurred to him until today that he was always on the receiving end of things rarely on the giving.

Marty bowed her head a bit, "You make me feel safe."

Gage released a shaky breath, leaning in he kissed Marty's temple.

Jesse sat quietly not wanting to disturb the moment. The way Marty had said the words she knew something bad had happened in the past, and only now just realized why they were room-mates."

Taking a deep breath Marty looked up realizing that Jesse was there, biting her lip she tried to inflect the moment with a bit of humor turning to Gage again she patted his hand, "You also take them to the bathroom."

Jesse blushed as he winked at her.

It was a nice quiet dinner, but because Marty was so tired she went ahead and got ready for bed early choosing to watch TV from the comfort of her fluffy overstuffed pillows in bed.

Jesse vegged on the sofa with Gage, watching some random program.

"It was nice what you did tonight," he said quietly taking a sip of beer.

"What?"

"The pizza."

She rolled her eyes, "No, it wasn't anything near what she has done for me."

He shrugged. "Currently it was all that you could do and you did it."

"I guess. Maybe once everything is healed I can actually return the favor and cook her a couple of meals."

"I'm sure she'd love that."

"Hope so."

Around ten that night they both decided it was time to crash. Unfortunately when he carried Jesse to Marty's bedroom the door was locked. He was going to knock, but Jesse shook her head. "No, don't. She had a bad day and she's tired. She hasn't been alone in a week, let her sleep. I'll take the sofa."

Gage looked down at her with a smile. "No, you'll take my bed."

Jesse shook her head. "No, not happening, I refuse."

But she had little choice seeing as how she was currently in his arms. He carried her there anyway.

"No Gage, I can't really, its not fair to you."

"Trust me I've had plenty of bed partners and I'm not overly worried."

The protest stopped when the air left her lungs in a rush. "Wh-what?"

Leaning in his eyes locked with hers. "How often do you get to sleep next to a walking wet dream?"

A squeak from the back of her throat and then giggles followed. "Th...," she was wheezing and could barely talk through the giggles, "this is definitely a first."

"I'm glad, now if you'll excuse me I'll go get ready for bed."

She was sitting on the mattress lost in thought and day dreams when he finally came back in the room with only those skimpy little marine issue running shorts on.

Her face filled with color.

"What's wrong," he asked kneeling by the bedside?

"I have nothing to sleep in, my gowns in Marty's room."

He nodded then looked up with a smile. "You can wear one of my shirts to bed."

Jesse nodded, happy to have come up with that reason as quickly as she had. She just knew she wasn't going to get any sleep with him by her side. Either that or she'd be dreaming things better left undreamt.

Grabbing a tee shirt from the closet he threw it at her. "Here I'll give you some privacy to change."

With that he slipped out into the hall. Leaning against the wall he hummed to himself.

When he heard her cursing her legs he slipped back into the room. He laughed while watching her try and inch her way under the covers all the while keeping her feet in the air.

"I really, really hate this," she said watching his eyes glitter with mirth.

"Maybe I can help," he offered flipping the covers completely off her side of the bed so she could just stretch out. Then he flipped them back over her once she got comfortable. "Better?"

"Much," she said on a sigh.

"So I guess you don't roll around in bed with your foot being so sensitive and your other in a cast."

Turning her head she watched him climb in next to her.

"No, not really big on tossing and turning even when everything works. I can't wait until I can sleep on my stomach again.

"Yeah, that would suck. Night Jesse."

"Night Gage."

And that was it, they both went to sleep as if it were common place. He didn't flirt, he didn't touch her or try anything, he was sweet and honest and perfect. Yep, she had it bad.