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Then As It Was, Then Again It Will Be	By : OpenPage Category: 1 through F > 21 Jump Street Views: 1347 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own 21JS or the characters. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. All characters and events in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Chapter List
- 9
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- 11
The following morning Booker was awake at first light. He lay in bed imagining what his first day with Hanson would be like. Seeing Tom struggling the night before had been a shock and Penhall had been right to say how distorted his view of Tom’s recovery really was. He needed to let go of his romantic notions and face up to the reality of Hanson’s life. It was doubtful that Tom would ever be the same man that Booker had initially fallen in love with. That, however, did not mean that Dennis could not love the new Tom. He already felt his heart quicken whenever he thought of Hanson and he was certain that his feelings would increase the more time he spent with his ex-colleague. He hoped that in time, Tom would feel the same way but if that did not happen, Booker was happy to have Tom as a friend.
Yawning loudly, Dennis threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. He spent a pleasant half hour under the shower, letting the hot water wash away any apprehension he had about the coming day. He dressed casually in t-shirt, jeans and boots. The weather had improved and sunshine filled his large, airy apartment. He sat out on the deck watching the ocean as he drank strong, black coffee and ate a piece of toast. He was not hungry but his fainting spell at the hospital had taught him that skipping meals was not in his best interest.
Glancing at the clock, he realized it was still too early to visit Tom. Penhall had suggested that he get there at about 8am. Tom would probably not be up but it would give Penhall time to run through Tom’s routine.
Now that Booker had agreed to “sit” with Tom, Penhall was off desk duty and was about to start on a case at Wilson High School. Being on desk duty had given Penhall the flexibility to come home every few hours and check on Hanson’s wellbeing but he was glad to finally be back in the field doing what he loved.
Both Booker and Penhall had once again agreed to put their differences aside and focus solely on Hanson. Dennis knew that Doug had Tom’s best interests at heart but he wished the Jump Street officer would understand that he too wanted only the best for Hanson. He wondered if jealousy was a factor in how Penhall treated him. Tom and Doug were best friends and maybe he thought Booker was trying to take Tom from him. But Dennis knew his friendship with Tom was built on a different foundation and therefore Penhall had no need to worry. In time, he hoped the three men would have a bond of close friendship, trust and understanding. Until then, it was one day at a time.
Checking the clock for a second time, Booker decided that if he drove along the coastal road to Tom and Doug’s, he would arrive close enough to 8am. Grabbing his leather jacket, he picked up his car keys and left his apartment.
Traffic was light and he arrived at 7.50am. Dennis waited in his car for five minutes before walking up to apartment nine. Knocking softly on the door, he waited several minutes before knocking again, this time louder. The door flew open and a shirtless Penhall ushered him in, motioning for him to talk quietly.
“Is he awake yet?” Booker asked, keeping the excitement at the anticipation of seeing Tom again out of his voice.
Doug shook his head as he rushed around the apartment randomly picking up items of clothing and sniffing them to check if they were clean. Settling on a Yankees t-shirt, he pulled it over his head. “He takes sleeping pills at night so he won’t be awake for another hour or so. I’ve written you a list, figured it would be easier than trying to explain everything. Ring the school if you need me, I’ve written down the number.”
Booker took the paper out of Penhall’s hand and carefully read the barely legible handwriting:
1.   IMPORTANT: Give one Oxycontin tablet and one Endep tablet at breakfast (Pills are at back of top cupboard above sink. Put back in cupboard out of reach)

2.   Will need help with meals but can eat unaided

3.   Doesn’t like to be touched

4.   Mood swings, especially when tired, just go with it

5.   May need shower chair in shower, can shower unaided

6.   May need help dressing but only if asked

7.   May fall asleep, Endep tabs sometimes make him drowsy
Will be home approx 5pm. School number 555-6824 (Doug Pembroke)
Before leaving, Doug gave Booker a long stare. “You sure you’re up to this?”
“We’ll be fine,” Dennis answered, his voice sounding more positive than he felt.
Doug snatched up his keys and walked towards the door. “Okay…well… see you tonight.”
As the door closed, Booker felt a moment of panic but he quickly pushed it aside. Checking the time, he considered making breakfast for Tom but it was only a little after eight o’clock. Instead, he flopped onto the couch and flicked on the TV. Settling on the cartoon channel, he laid back and waited for Tom to wake up.
**
Hearing the bedroom door open, Dennis immediately sat up. Tom emerged dressed in boxers, t-shirt and an open robe, his hand clutching his walking cane. Booker tried to suppress a smile when he saw Tom’s sleep-tousled hair. It reminded him of when he had been teased by Hanson about his own sleep-rumpled appearance.
Seeing Booker’s face, Tom returned a shy smile and rubbed his hand over his messy hair. “D-do I have a m-memory of laughing at your hair in the m-morning or is that just m-my imagination?”
Dennis laughed. “Definitely a memory. I guess karma’s a bitch huh?” Standing up he moved towards the kitchen. “You hungry? Doug said you need to eat before you have your pills.”
Tom’s progress was slow as he walked over his high-seated chair but Booker noticed that his movements were more fluent than the night before. His stuttering also seemed less pronounced and Booker wondered if tiredness and stress were a contributing factor.
“T-toast is fine,” Hanson answered as he settled himself into his seat. “And a coffee if you’re h-having one.”
Booker was pleased to be busy. He set the toast going and poured two black coffees from the jug Penhall had already brewed. He noticed that the mugs had larger handles than normal so that Tom could grip them with ease. When the toaster popped, he buttered two pieces and cut each in half. Carrying a mug of coffee and the plate of toast, he walked back over to Hanson. Placing the coffee on the side table next to Hanson’s chair, he handed the plate to his friend. He returned to the kitchen and took out Tom’s pills. Shaking one of each into his hand, he picked up his own coffee and returned to the living room. Sitting at the end of the couch closest to Tom, he leaned over and placed the tablets next to the coffee mug.
“Thanks,” Tom said as he nibbled at his toast. Booker tried hard not to scrutinize his friend but it was difficult not to stare. He thought Hanson had more color in his face than the night before but there were still dark black smudges under his eyes. He appeared to manage eating and drinking all right although he had some trouble picking up his tablets. Dennis made a point of not intervening, Doug had made it quite clear that Tom would ask for help if he needed it and fussing over him only made him irritable. Sipping his coffee, he looked at the clock and saw that it was only 9.25am. It would be another seven hours or so before Penhall returned home. He suddenly wondered what they would do all day. Doug had not mentioned anything concerning entertainment but then, Tom was not a child and did not really need to be kept amused. The day would hang heavy though if all they had was the television and somewhat stilted conversation. Until their relationship began to flourish, it was obvious that there would be uncomfortable silences between them. Looking out of the window, he saw that the weather was still fine and an idea jumped into his mind.
“So, how ‘bout you get ready and we go out for a drive?”
Tom put down his coffee. “G-go out?” he asked, his tone uneasy.
“Sure, why not? It’s a beautiful day, we could go to the beach, maybe grab a bite. What d’you say?” Booker asked enthusiastically.
Tom’s demeanor changed immediately and he nervously began picking at the fabric on the arm of his chair. “Um, I d-don’t really go out n-now.”
Dennis frowned. “You mean never?” he asked incredulously. He began to wonder if Penhall, for all his advice on not fussing over Tom, had in fact been cosseting Tom too much since he had left the rehabilitation center. Whilst he understood that sometimes it was easier to give into a person rather than face an argument, he did not believe it was healthy to keep Tom confined within four walls and isolated from human contact. Being around other people would help Tom face his fears and the more he achieved, the further his confidence would grow. Hanson was so withdrawn since the rape; he was a shadow of his former self. Booker was certain that with gentle encouragement, Tom could once again gain back his easy-going personality.
Tom stood up. “Only f-for doctor appointments,” he replied.
“But that’s crazy!” Booker blurted out. “Your life hasn’t stopped Tommy, you just need—”
“N-need what?” Tom yelled back angrily. “To g-get over it, is th-that what you w-were going to say? D-do you know w-what it’s like t-to b-be held d-down and r-r-raped? DO YOU? You f-fucking, uncaring b-bastard!” Reaching down, he picked up his half full coffee cup and threw it. The mug hit the wall and shattered on impact, brown liquid staining the cream-colored paint.
Booker remained calm. He stood up and walked over to the shattered mess. Squatting down, he carefully picked up the broken remains of Tom’s mug. He could hear Hanson’s labored breathing and standing back up, he turned to face his friend. “Feel better now?” he asked.
“Y-you asshole,” Tom replied with a hint of a grin.
“It’s what I’m known for,” Dennis answered back playfully. Carrying the broken china to the kitchen, he dropped it into the trash. Grabbing a wet sponge, he returned and began vigorously scrubbing at the coffee stained wall. Once clean, he threw away the sponge and returned his attention back to Hanson. “Now, how ‘bout we try this again. You go get cleaned up and then we can have a talk about whether or not we go out. Deal?”
Tom nodded sheepishly. “Can you m-move the chair into the sh-shower for me?”
Grinning, Booker bent forward as he swept his arm in front of him in a mock bow. “Your wish is my command.”
Tom laughed loudly. “You r-really are an asshole.”
Dennis barely heard the words as the sound of Tom’s laughter resonated in his mind.
- 9
- 10
- 11
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Then As It Was, Then Again It Will Be