How It Should Have Been

How It Should Have Been

An hour later they arrived at the hub. After they’d showered, Owen had given Tosh a lift to her apartment, so she could change into some fresh clothes and brush her teeth, and put on a little makeup. And of course find something suitable to cover up the large love bite on her neck.
Just because she and Owen had decided not to hide the fact they were now dating from the others, did not mean they were going to broadcast the fact Tosh had a love bite.
Tosh chose a dark purple blouse, with black boot leg trousers. She paired them with a pair of black high heeled ankle boots. And to cover up the love bite, she wrapped a scarf around her neck, made of satin. It was similar in colour to her blouse, and had bright silver floral embroidery.
She could easily get away with wearing a scarf, without drawing attention to herself. She often wore a scarf to work. It was just Tosh’s style, and the others never said anything.
The others looked up when Owen and Tosh entered the hub together. It was obvious something had happened, as Owen and Tosh never usually arrived together. And on top of that, they were laughing together.
Owen had a coffee in his hand, as did Tosh. Tosh smacked him playfully on the arm, as he took a bite from his bacon sandwich. Tosh was eating a blueberry muffin. They both looked happy, really happy.
Jack cleared his throat, as they walked over to their own desks. “So how was your night after what happened at the farm?” Owen answered first “It was fine, Jack. You know me; I’m hardly fazed by anything, as long as there isn’t any lasting reminder staring me straight in the bloody face.”
Jack nodded, and turned to face Tosh and asked her “And you Tosh, how are you doing this morning?” Tosh replied, as she switched on her computer. “I’m fine, Jack. I’ve been a part of a lot worse, we all have.”
Jack nodded, as he eyes both Owen and Tosh. There was something different about them. They seemed more relaxed in each others presence, or at least Tosh did in Owen’s.
He said, “Ok then. Seeing as everyone is feeling fine this morning, we can get on with the paper work and filing from last nights case.” He added “And Owen, I need you to do some tests on Martha, just to make sure there was no lasting ill affects from the crap they pumped her system with.”
Martha protested “But Jack, I’m fine, honestly.” Owen chuckled and said, “Martha, give it up. You’ll never change his mind once he has it set on something. Just get it over and done with, to make him happy.”
Martha grumbled, but reluctantly agreed. She said, “I’m a Doctor, I examine others, not them examining me. I never was keen on being poked and prodded, especially after last night.”
With that said, everyone got to work. He called over his shoulder, as he walked to his office “Owen, could you come to my office for a moment, please?” Owen frowned, before nodding.
Tosh watched him go, before turning to face her computer. Gwen eyed Tosh, and slowly walked up behind her. She spoke quietly, so only Tosh could hear her. “So, did you enjoy yourself last night after you left the hub?”
Tosh frowned and turned to face Gwen. Before she knew what was happening, Gwen pulled on the scarf, removing it. Tosh gasped, and went to grab the scarf, but was too late.
Gwen smirked, as she took in the sight of the love bite on Tosh’s neck in all of its incriminating glory. She quietly crowed “Ha, I knew it. I knew something had happened between you and Owen. You never come in together. And you’re never comfortable enough with him, to laugh and playfully smack him, not like you did when you both came in.”
She asked “So, what is going on between you two?” Tosh flushed, and replied “We’re dating, that much I can reveal.” Gwen resisted the urge to crow in delight.
Tosh added “We’re taking it one step at a time. It’s not like we’ll be declaring our undying love for each other, and exchanging rings and vows, and having children anytime soon.”
She snorted at this, as did Gwen. Neither realised, that just as Owen had been walking passed, heading to Jack’s office, he had been close enough to catch the tail end of their conversation.
He snorted himself, when he heard Tosh explaining to Gwen that they wouldn’t be declaring their undying love for each other nor marrying and having children. He was glad she understood. He was especially glad things hadn’t turned awkward with them.
He entered Jack’s office, and took the seat Jack gestured to. Jack cleared his throat and said, “Be honest with me, I promise nothing said in his office will leave it.” Owen sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose; he could feel a headache starting.
Owen said, “What can I say, I’ve been shot before, Jack. But I’ve never had a bullet aimed at my heart before. If it hadn’t been for you taking that bullet for me, then I would have found my self flat on my back, on a cold slab in my own autopsy room.”
He added “I’ll be fine. But last night really unsettled Tosh, unsettled her to the point, that I had her sobbing in my arms in terror. She said she was afraid to close her eyes, as every time she did, she’d see me lying on the cement back at the farm.”
He added, as Jack looked at him in worry. “She said she could see me lying in a pool of my own blood, staring up at her with lifeless and unseeing eyes.” Jack eyed Owen in horror.
Jack asked “Do you think this will affect her work?” Owen shook his head “No. I don’t think it will. She calmed, as soon as I convinced her I was not lying in a pool of my own blood, dead.”
He added “I took her back to my place for a beer and to see a couple of movies on cable. Neither she or I fancied the idea of going back to empty apartments on our own.”
Jack asked “What happened, as I can tell something did. You and Tosh, you never come into work together. And I’ve never seen Tosh laugh like that around you, or looked so free and relaxed around you.” He added “And I must admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you genuinely laughing, and clearly at ease.”
Owen had a small smile on his face, as he said, “We’ve decided to start dating. We’re taking it one step at a time, to see how far we can go in a relationship. We’ve both agreed we don’t know if we’ll ever get serious to the point of marriage, or having children.”
Jack was beaming at him in delight. He said, “It’s about time. She’s wanted you for so long Owen. Every time you’d brag about your latest conquest from the previous night, I would see another piece of her heart break.”
He added “When you had that affair with Gwen, and she heard yours and Gwen’s thoughts due to that bloody pendent, I seriously think a little piece of her died that day. She was always quite and reserved. But after Mary, it was as if she had built a wall around her heart and emotions.”
He concluded “I saw the wall start to crumble, as soon as Tommy came through the rift. I saw her rebuilding it when he had to go back to his own time. And now, now that you’ve finally noticed her like she has wanted you to for the last couple of years, I truly think that wall she set up to protect herself is starting to slowly dissolve.”
Owen sighed wearily and replied “I know I was a bastard Jack. Trust me. I’m only starting to see the consequences of all that neglect and discard of her.” He added “She has serious self esteem issues that I’ve only helped to develop even more.”
He continued “When I agreed to go on a date with her, she asked me if I was being sarcastic. She said that she thought I was only being polite, and that I’d stand her up. I hate that she’s thinks I’d do that to her.”
He concluded “I saw a free, wild, and passionate side to Tosh last night. She proved what they said about it being the quite ones you had to watch out for, is actually true.”
Jack grinned, as he asked “Did you sleep with her Owen?” Owen replied “Yes, I did. I don’t regret a single second of it, Jack. She was bloody amazing, not that I’d ever tell her that, seeing as she would most likely not believe me even if I did.”
Jack was smiling widely, before he said, “I’m glad you’ve both decided to date each other. Maybe you’ll be able to truly bring her out of that shell of hers. And perhaps she can try and unthaw that heart of yours that turned to ice after Katie died.”
He concluded “Just promise me this. Please try not to hurt her, Owen. I don’t think she would be able to withstand anymore heart break from you, not now she knows what she could lose.”
Owen replied “I have no intentions of hurting her if I can. Now I’ve had a taste of her, and know what she is capable of when she really lets herself go. I don’t want to lose that, Jack. It was an amazing sight to witness.”
Jack grinned at him and nodded, before saying “Good. Now get back to work. Let me know if Martha refuses any of the tests. I’ll come in and sit on her, until she does cooperate.”
Owen snorted, before heading out of Jack’s office, to retrieve Martha, and take her down to the autopsy room, hopefully willingly.