Jackson-

"Why would I break into my mother's house?" I hear Maggie question as I slide her hospital door open. I briefly wonder who she's speaking to, but regret ever finding the answer the moment I lay eyes on Nick.

Nick Fucking Dawson, the prick who's in love with my woman but too damn chicken shit to do anything about it. That is until she lost her memory, now he thinks he stands a chance.

Bloody fucking hell.

The son of a whore thinks he can waltz in and take her away from me, but he doesn't know me, not really.

He's heard hearsay around the office, read magazine clippings regarding my old troubled ways, and even bumped into me a few times before. But he's never actually gotten to know the real me because he's never gotten in my way, until now.

I stop abruptly, pausing to sort through my next words carefully. How do I want this to come off in front of Maggie?

Fuck it.

"Nick? What in the bloody fuck are you doing here?" My fists and jaw clench in unison as I wait for his response.

"Hey, not here to cause any problems." Nick surrenders with his hands in the air, "I'm just checking on Mags."

"Mags? Bloody Mags? You've got a pet name for her now?" I growl.

"Stop it, Jack. You also call me Mags and I don't remember giving either of you permission in the first place." She complains before crossing her arms over her chest.

Her face drops and I suspect she realizes she wouldn't have remembered if she gave us permission in the slightest.

She hated it when I called her Mags at first. She insisted I call her Maggie but I teasingly made her aware that if she was calling me Charming, I would call her Mags. It's my goddamn name for her and hearing it uttered from another man's lips makes me sick. He's too close, too familiar.

"You two clearly know each other then." Maggie sighs.

"We've met." I complain and Maggie glances between the two of us, wondering how she's going to wiggle out of this awkward situation.

I take a deep breath to calm myself, attempting to rid myself of jealousy. "Maggie, I was told you're being released today."

"Yeah, I just found out from Dr. Moore." She replies and I attempt to avoid the massive elephant in the room until he speaks again.

"I can give you a ride." Nick offers.

"Like hell you will." I growl. I don't care how much of a gentleman he pretends to be, she's not going anywhere with him.

"Alright, alright." Nick lifts his hands into the air to surrender.  "I guess I'll head out."

"You don't have to leave." Maggie offers but I cut her off.

"Yes, he does." I warn before giving him my best threatening look.

"Jack!" Maggie scolds me like I'm a child.

"Yeah, I think you two need a word alone." He shrugs. "See you at work Mags."

The moment Nick is out the door Maggie lets her frustrations loose.  "I don't know what past me allowed, but I will absolutely not tolerate that kind of behavior. You can't just- just-"

"Just what Maggie?" I growl, she has no idea what's good for her right now.

"Be an asshole to my friends!" She pouts, sitting up straighter in bed and crossing her arms in defiance.

"That man is not your friend. He sees this as an opportunity to finally get in your pants." She's so damn innocent, the old innocent Maggie has been reborn and taken over her mind.

"That's not true." She argues, but her words grow weak as her brows pull together with confusion.

"Isn't it?" I can't help my aggressive tone. If she only knew how vulnerable she really is, she wouldn't always need me around to protect her.

A moment of silence.

"I'm sorry." I pause, "But Jesus Maggie, don't be so oblivious, please. You're in a situation where you're so fucking easy to take advantage of. Anyone could slip in and-"

"Slip in and what?" She shouts. "Steal me away from you?"

The words cut straight through me and I shrivel back slightly from the pain searing in my chest.

"There is no more you and me. No one can steal me from someone I don't belong to." Her words are final as if she's made up her mind, but how can she have made up her mind so quickly? She hasn't given me a chance to open up.

"Fuck." I pause to breathe and attempt to regain control of a somewhat calm demeanor. "Fine."

"Fine?" She sounds shocked. "You're giving up?"

"Not until my last breath." And I mean every word.

Her ocean eyes meet mine, searching for something but I'm unsure what they want. She seems pleased, yet she's pushing me away with her words.

What does this woman want from me?

"You're your own woman so do what you want, but like I said before I get one day a week." My words are calm but inside I'm going bloody crazy. I'm just waiting for the moment she tells me to leave her life for good, then what? Would I walk away and leave her to pick up the pieces on her own?  I'm not sure I could.

She simply nods, but I catch the corner of her mouth turning up in a smile.

"Fine. So I guess you've won the prize. You get to be the man who takes me home." Her eyes widen and she quickly corrects herself. "To Bethany's- To my home- Not yours."

I can't help but laugh at her determination to keep me away. I won't try to convince her to come home, at least not until I'm sure she's ready.

"As if I could possibly forget the first woman who didn't want to come home with me." I tease and our once volatile conversation turns lighthearted.  "Grab your shit and let's go."

Maggie briefly looks around her hospital room at the little decor brought to her. The wilting flowers, the few drooping get well soon balloons and the cards that litter her nightstand.

"I don't have anything I need here." She shrugs.

"Well, you should probably get dressed unless you'd like to flash the nurses one more time." I taunt and her face lights up in a smile accompanied by a blush.

"I didn't flash the nurses. You were the only one around and even then I was wearing underwear."

"I don't know, I could have sworn that was bare ass I slapped." I tease earning a deeper colored blush that spreads to her whole face.

My dirty mouth always excited Maggie when she was a prude and now it's as if she's a virgin all over again.

"Jesus Jack." She cringes. "Some privacy please?"

"It's not like I haven't seen it all before." I shrug as I turn to face the wall.

"Excuse me? How much have you seen?" She asks in a panicked voice.

"Um-" I pause, suddenly anxious realizing I'm not sure she knows I was the man she lost her virginity to. I doubt she even knows she's no longer a virgin and I don't think this is the time to bring it up so I awkwardly stand and shift my weight on one foot than the other.

Maggie groans at my lack of a response. "Just get out and let me get dressed."

I nod towards the wall and make my way through the door, surprisingly thankful for her request for me to leave. After a few minutes of waiting Maggie exits her hospital room and enters the hallway dressed in a light-wash pair of skinny jeans and an overly large black t-shirt.

Then I recognize it, it's my t-shirt. My heart clenches in my chest and the need to pull her into my arms is unbearable. I avoid her gaze and eye the direction of our exit.

"Let's go." I shrug, attempting to shake off the magnetic attraction beckoning me to move closer to her.

The moment we exit the hospital I spot my Dodge Charger parked in the visitors' section. I start to cross the street but stop once I realize Maggie is no longer following me. When I turn to find her, I notice her standing on the sidewalk with her eyes closed and head back with her face basking in the sunlight.

"You alright?" I ask.

"Better than ever. I missed this." She whispers.

"Missed a crowded parking lot and the idea of fighting through a crowd to get home?" I tease.

"No." She growls, her face turns in annoyance and her eyes meet mine briefly before closing her eyes again and soaking up more sun. "I missed the sun."

"Well, I'll open the moon roof for you, let's get our asses moving." Her eyes open in shock by my persistence and a frown appears on her face, so I soften my next words. "We live in the hottest city around, sun all four seasons and never an ounce of rain. You've got plenty of time to soak up the sun, I promise."

She nods, standing still on the sidewalk so I walk over and take her hand in mine, and surprisingly she doesn't pull away. I lead her to my car and help her in the passenger seat before we make our way to the old apartment she shared with Bethany.

The ride there is quiet. Maggie stares out the window, watching traffic fly by and letting the sun stream in through the window on her face. I'm lost in my mind, driving to her old apartment on auto as I debate on what to say and in the end, say nothing at all.

Bethany awaits us on the rickety apartment stairs that lead to their home and jumps up the moment she sees us parking. Maggie doesn't bother waiting for me to turn off my car before she darts out and runs to Beth, pulling her in a tight hug.

The idea of having Maggie stay anywhere other than with me is disheartening, but if she were anywhere else, I prefer her with Bethany. She's always been a great friend to Mags and I know her every need will be taken care of.

I walk up to the ladies and pause with my hands in my pockets awkwardly awaiting a goodbye.

"Why don't you come in for a bit?" Bethany offers, but I glance at Maggie and wait for her to insist before I answer. She bites her bottom lip and glances in my direction but doesn't say a word.

"I'm alright, I've got a few things to take care of anyway. It's been a while since I've been home or to the office." As the words leave my mouth I watch Maggie's face for any trace of regret.

Does she want me to stay with her?

I can't chance pushing her away. I'll force myself to wait my one day a week until I know I've got her at least interested.

"Thanks though, you girls have fun." I give a slight wave of my hand and turn quickly on my heel. I head towards my charger, forcing myself to keep my eyes ahead, showing no hesitation.

Just as I'm opening my car door I hear loud clunky footsteps chasing behind me and I turn around to find Maggie locking me in a hug.

"Thank you." She whispers and I'm unable to hide a shocked expression. I figured she was indifferent about me leaving.

I wrap my arms around her and inhale the sweet scent of vanilla as I bury my face in her soft sun-kissed brunette hair.

"Don't you dare think this is a goodbye for good hug, Love." I whisper in her ear. "You're mine once a week remember?"

I notice the skin on her exposed arms rise into goosebumps and I can't help the smirk that takes over my lips.

I feel her nod and I pull away, briefly examining her serious face before I get in my car and leave her behind.