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Over the Hills and Far Away	By : OpenPage Category: 1 through F > 21 Jump Street Views: 2103 -:- 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
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Dennis remained next to Tom watching him sleep until Janice gently told him to leave. She suggested that he not come in until the following afternoon, as Doctor Heath had scheduled Tom for more scans and tests in the morning. Dennis reluctantly agreed after making Janice promise to tell Tom that he would be back as he did not want Tom to think he had abandoned him again.
Arriving home, he sat down at the table and started to make a list. Firstly, he needed to get his car out of the impound yard. He also needed to go into his office and finish the paperwork on his last case so he could collect the money his client owed him. This time he knew he needed to be careful and not neglect his work as he had done previously. It would not help Tom if he were in financial difficulties. He wanted to be able to provide everything that Tom needed to aid his recovery and the only way he could do that was if he had money in the bank.
Lastly, he needed to gather up all the items George had left at his apartment. It was not something he was looking forward to doing. He did not have the energy or the inclination to get into another argument with his ex-lover. Even though he knew George had every right to feel angry and used, he was disappointed that they had not parted on good terms. He had cared deeply for George and even though he now realized it was not love, it still hurt that their relationship had ended the way it had.
Standing up, he decided to gather up Georges belongings so he could drop them off as soon as he got his car back. Wandering from room to room, he picked up CDs and clothing and packed them all neatly into a box. Walking into the bathroom, he stared at George’s robe hanging from a hook on the back of the door and he sighed heavily. In only a short space of time, George had become an integral part of his life and now, just as quickly, it was over.
Folding up the robe, he tossed it into the cardboard box and closed the lid. He knew there was no point crying over what ifs. In another time, in another place, he and George probably would have made a go of it. But it was not to be. Tom was the only one he wanted to be with and even if it took him years, he was happy to wait.
As he carried the box back into the living room, the phone rang, making him jump. Tossing the box onto the table, he hurried over to his desk and snatched up the receiver. “Booker.”
At first there was only silence and then the sound of George’s voice. “Hey Dennis, it’s me.”
“Hey,” Dennis replied quietly. “I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”
A long pause hung between them until George finally spoke, his voice sounding strained. “I just wanted to arrange a time so I could pick up my things,” he muttered.
“I’ve just finished packing everything,” Dennis answered. “So if you want—“
“Geez Dennis, that didn’t take you long,” George snapped back. “Couldn’t wait to make room for your precious Tommy could you.”
Dennis sighed and rubbed at his forehead. “George don’t,” he pleaded quietly. “I really am sorry but—“
“But nothing,” George replied tersely. “You know what Dennis? I don’t give a fuck anymore. If you want to spend your life with a manipulative, lying whore, that’s up to you.”
Slamming his hand down on the desk, Dennis screamed into the phone. “DON’T YOU SAY THAT! DON’T YOU FUCKING SAY THAT ABOUT TOMMY!”
“Why not?” George replied quietly. “It’s true Dennis and you’re too blinded by love to see it. Trust me, he’ll take advantage of your kindness and in the end, you’ll find yourself alone and heartbroken.”
Running a trembling hand through his hair, Dennis calmed his voice. “You’re wrong,” he muttered. “Tom would never do that.”
George let out a loud, shrill laugh. “Oh for fuck’s sake Dennis, are you listening to yourself? That’s all Tom has done since he came out of the psychiatric hospital and you’re completely oblivious to it. But one day you’ll wake up and realize that you wasted your life loving a man who could never love you back.”
Dennis’ grip tightened on the phone. “You have no idea what Tom and I have,” he replied through clenched teeth. “I’m sorry I hurt you George but I won’t sit here and listen to you insulting Tom.”
“Fine,” George answered back furiously. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you and oh, you know what? You can throw out my things because I don’t want them back. I want to forget I ever had a relationship with you.”
The sound of George slamming the phone down on its cradle echoed in Dennis’ ear and he slowly replaced the receiver. George’s words had struck a chord and he felt sick. Had his ex lover unleashed a hateful tirade because he was jealous of his love for Tom, or did George really believe Hanson was controlling and about to break his heart again? It was the proverbial sixty-four thousand dollar question.
Shaking his head, Dennis stood up and walked into the bedroom. George was playing with him by placing doubts in his mind. Even though Hanson had trouble expressing his feelings, Dennis was sure the love he felt for Tom was reciprocated. He just needed to give his friend time to recover and then they would talk about their future.
Stripping off his clothes, Dennis crawled under the covers and closed his eyes. But the nagging doubt in his mind would not go away and he found himself thinking about George’s words and he began to wonder if he had made a huge mistake.
**
Having paid a substantial fine, Booker retrieved his Cadillac out of the impound lot and drove to his office. He had hardly slept the night before and he felt irritable and depressed. Unlocking his office door, he switched on the light and walked over to his desk. Pressing the play button on his answering machine, he pulled out his chair and sat down. The first message was from his client, Mrs. Willard, thanking him for a job well done and promising prompt payment as soon as the paperwork came through. The second message was from the hospital and Dennis listened intently. “Hi Dennis, it’s Janice at the hospital, I must have missed you at home so I thought I’d try you at work. Tom’s in a pretty bad way, he didn’t sleep well and he’s very emotional so I thought maybe you could come in earlier than you’d planned. Anyway, if you can you can, if not I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
When the message finished, Dennis sat staring at the machine. Once again, George’s words played through his mind, Trust me, he’ll take advantage of your kindness and in the end, you’ll find yourself alone and heartbroken. Erasing the messages, Dennis sat for several minutes before he scrolled a sheet of paper into the typewriter and began to type out his report to Mrs. Willard. He needed to be strong and not go running every time Tom called on him. If they were to enter into a relationship, Hanson needed to realize that Dennis was not at his disposal and that it was unfair of him to think that he should be. He had a job, he had responsibilities and now that Tom was out of imminent danger, he could not spend day after day sitting at the hospital. It was time for Tom to take responsibility for his own health and not rely on him to be there to pick up the pieces.
Having given himself the mental pep talk, Dennis felt a little better. He wanted to prove to George that Tom could not manipulate him and that he had a mind of his own. He would go to the hospital when he had finished at the office and Tom would just have to wait.
**
Arriving at the ICU, Dennis found himself quickly taken aside by Janice before he had a chance to see Tom. “I was hoping you’d get here sooner,” she whispered, taking Dennis by the arm and walking him back out into the corridor. “He’s in a pretty bad way.”
Dennis sighed impatiently. “I’m sorry but I had to work. So what’s the problem?”
Janice gave Dennis a questioning look. “Is everything okay? You seem a little annoyed.”
“It’s nothing,” Dennis replied tersely. “Just tell me what’s wrong with Tom and I’ll go and sort it out.”
Placing her hands on her hips, Janice gave Booker a hard stare. “If you’ve got a problem Dennis, I think you should turn around and go back home. Tom’s my patient and I’ll be damned if I’ll let you go in there and upset him.”
Somewhat surprised at Janice’s hard stance, Dennis blushed and lowered his head. “Sorry, I guess I’m feeling a little on edge. It’s just…” his voice trailed off and he stared at the ground.
Taking Dennis’ hand in hers, Janice led him into her office and closed the door. Motioning for him to take a seat, she sat down at her desk. “Tell me what’s troubling you,” she encouraged softly.
Dennis chewed at his lower lip for a moment before deciding to be truthful. “I’ve been in love with Tom for years and after I found him in El Salvador, I thought maybe we would get together. The signs were there but I think he was just using me for a place to stay. Then he came home one night, high on cocaine and he came onto me, but not in a loving way, he was mocking me. We had a fight, he left and he ended up addicted to heroin and prostituting himself on the streets. He overdosed and I found him again and took him back into my home and this time, well… this time we started something and even though he was cold one minute and loving the next, I thought we were really making progress. Then he told me about his time in El Salvador and I admit it, I over reacted and he left again. I left a message for him at some halfway house but he never returned my call. Then months later, he calls me, tells me he’s doing better and it was as if I was to drop everything and come running. But I’d met someone, so I didn’t ring back and then the next thing I know, Tom’s in here and I find out he was back on the streets prostituting again. Now I’ve broken up with my boyfriend because he knows I’m still in love with Tom and I can’t help feeling that I’m somehow being manipulated.”
Janice stared back at Dennis with sympathetic eyes. “Well, I can certainly see your concerns,” she replied softly. “But in Tom’s defense, I think he is extremely troubled and has not received the best psychological care. Maybe if he had, things would be different.”
Running his hand through his hair, Dennis stood up and began to pace the room. “I know that Janice, but I don’t know what to do. I love him so much but I can’t let him keep using me. I put my life on hold for over three years and if he’s going to leave this hospital and walk back out of my life again then I think it would be best if I left first.”
“That’s a decision only you can make,” Janice replied sadly. “But if you’re going to leave, do it now. Don’t build his hopes up by lying to him and letting him think that you’re his friend.”
“I am his friend,” Dennis whispered as tears filled his eyes. “That’s why I’m terrified of hurting him. But I don’t think I can take him walking out on me again.”
Standing up, Janice walked over and put her arm around Dennis. “Did you ever think that maybe he’s just as terrified that you’ll walk out on him?” she asked quietly.
Once again the words DEN-NIS! DEN-NIS! No me abandones! No me abandones! echoed in Dennis’ mind. He had abandoned Tom and it was little wonder that he had trust issues, even after everything they had been through together. Wiping away his tears, Dennis managed a small smile. “Okay, you’ve convinced me,” he replied. “I love Tom too much to walk away. But this time I’m going to do things differently.”
Janice returned the smile. “I’m pleased to hear it. Now, how about we go and see Tom.”
Dennis nodded and he followed Janice into the ICU. When he approached Tom, he could see that he had been crying. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took his friend’s hand in his. “Hey Tommy,” he murmured softly. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Turning his tearstained face towards Dennis, Tom’s lower lip trembled. “H-Have you s-seen it?” he sobbed. “H-Have you s-seen what h-he did to m-me?”
Laying a hand on Tom’s head, Booker gently stroked his hair. “No,” he replied quietly, his eyes filled with anguish. “But Tommy it doesn’t—“
“LOOK!” Tom screamed, pulling down the sheet that covered his body. “LOOK WHAT HE DID TO ME!”
Dennis felt vomit rise in his throat as he stared down at the deep gashes that crisscrossed Tom’s chest, stomach and thighs. Many had been sutured and the wounds looked red and lumpy. He tried to keep the revulsion out of his eyes but the sight was too shocking. “Oh Jesus,” he whispered, covering his mouth with his hand. “Oh Tommy…”
“I’M A FUCKING FREAK!” Tom screamed. “WHO’S GOING TO WANT ME NOW?” His eyes grew large and he gazed at Dennis imploringly as his voice dropped to a whisper. “Oh God Dennis, who’s going to want…” Too emotional to continue, Tom threw his arm over his face and burst into tears. Hearing his hysterical sobbing, Janice hurried in and quickly covered the sheet back over Tom’s scarred body whilst casting a worried glance in Dennis’ direction.
Booker sat in stunned silence for several seconds before leaning forward and pulling Tom into his arms. “I want you,” he murmured softly, instantly forgetting all the doubts he had about Hanson.
Lifting his head, Tom stared into Dennis’ eyes and choked back a sob. “Why?”
Cradling Tom in his arms, Dennis gently rocked him back and forth. “Because you’re Tommy Hanson,” he whispered, “and I’ve loved you from the first day I saw you.”
“But I’m such a fuck up!” Tom cried. “I’ve caused you nothing but pain Dennis, I don’t understand why you keep coming back.”
Dennis kissed the top of Tom’s head. “Because I love you Tommy and love isn’t a rational emotion.”
Closing his eyes, Tom relaxed against Booker’s muscular body and he slowly began to regain his composure. “I love you too,” he murmured. “I know you don’t believe me, but I do and I’m so sorry for everything—“
Smiling, Booker, swung his legs onto the bed and lay down next to Tom, whilst continuing to hold him in his arms. “Shh,” he whispered. “Close your eyes and get some rest.”
After an hour, Tom eventually drifted off to sleep and when he awoke, he was still in Dennis’ arms.
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Over the Hills and Far Away