That same day... Aaron also met Adam Sheppard...from the FBI... a Fed! Aaron thought Adam was strict looking... but Adam turned out to be quite funny... and friendly.

Seven months later (after that first introduction in the NYPD)... 

Jim and Aaron weren't only partners... but they had also become very good friends.

Aaron (or Mac... as everyone in the NYPD call him... because of his Surname... Makowski) turned out to be a very good and trustworthy partner.

He is a little younger (38) than Jim (42) but he is quite innocent and naive... specially  referring to women... so Jim loves to tease him (in a friendly way, of course!).

Here they are... on a daily routine... Jim and Aaron (or should I say Mac...) Patrolling the streets of New York...

By the time they had finished their coffee and had a little rest... night was beginning to fall...

Suddenly...

From the corner of his eye... Aaron saw a car coming straight for them... on the sidewalk!... and he saw the barrel of a gun pointing at them!... 

Instinctively... he pushed Jim aside...  

It all happened in seconds!  The car got away... disappearing in the distance! Jim barely managed to catch the car's number plate... but fortunately got most of it!

When Mac had pushed him aside... Jim had lost his balance...

They were both on the floor... For a moment...Jim was catching his breath...

and... he suddenly realized that something was not right... Mac was also on the floor... he had been shot!

Jim was trying to stop the bleeding... 

He was desperately trying to keep Mac conscious...

Aaron could hear Jim's voice far away... he felt he was slipping away... he thought about that Brazilian Beauty he had been introduced to... and how he enjoyed dancing with her... at those weddings that they happened to meet again... 

Jim wanted to cheer Mac up so he wouldn't faint... make him talk...

Just as he heard the ambulance sirens far away... Mac... Aaron... fell unconscious...

When they finally reach the hospital... an operating room is all set and waiting for the wounded officer... Dr. Wanjala... the surgeon... is ready for the patient.

If a nurse hadn't stopped Jim, he would have gone right into the operating room after his friend... but... the double doors closed just inches from his nose...

He stayed there for some time... just gazing at the double doors... his hands covered in his friend's blood...

When he finally reacted... he went to the Bathrooms and washed his hands. 

Then... he just, nervously, walked around... Back and forth he went... up and down the hospital corridors...

He went up to the coffee machine and took out a black coffee... He needed to calm his nerves down...  (but... doesn't coffee make you more nervous??? Jim!)

Just as he was sipping his coffee... in came Gabriela (the Brazilian Beauty!). She was about to start her Night Shift (from ten in the evening to eight... the next morning)

Gabriela was surprised to see Jim there!

Gabriela's heart almost jumped out of her mouth! She had met Aaron (Mac) not very long ago... A friend of Jim's had introduced them and then they coincided  in a couple of weddings... and they had even danced together! Gaby thought he was a sweet guy... even funny! She likes him!

Gabriela (Gaby) is from Brazil. She had gone to New York to get her Nurse Diploma... she wanted to be a registered nurse... and New York was the best place (a friend had encouraged her to do so)... She was soon offered a job in The General Hospital... in New York! She had been so lucky! She couldn't reject an opportunity like that!... so she decided to accept the job and stay in New York (although she was planning to go back home... to Brazil... Salvador de Bahia).

That was about... almost two years ago, now...  Her English is not very good yet... but she manages... and is perfecting it... day by day...

Aaron too, had fallen for her... that same day that they were introduced! He thought her accent was so cute and she... well... she was a beauty! Aaron knows that she's a nurse now... and that she is working... but he doesn't know exactly where! He didn't even ask her!

Five long hours later... Out comes Dr. Wanjala...

When Jim sees his partner... in that state!  Mac was full of tubes and cables, an oxygen mask...

He was so pale... his eyes closed...  he looked so fragile!

Jim... somehow felt guilty... Mac had pushed him away... and had saved his life!... 

Jim told Gaby how it all had happened... How Aaron had saved his life!

Jim insisted on staying by his friend's side. Nobody was waiting at home for him... Jim's wife, Lori, is a Flight Attendant and wouldn't be back home for another couple of days...

So,... Jim made himself as comfortable as possible. He grabbed a chair and placed it at Mac's bedside... he sat down... and soon fell asleep!  That wasn't his intention!

Around 4:00 a.m. ... Aaron opens his eyes... he doesn't know where he is... nor what had happened. He tilts his head a little to the left... and sees like a shadowy figure... The room is dark and in silence... only a strange bleeping sound is heard. Mac feels his mouth dry... he tries to call out Jim's name... but no sound comes out of his throat. He tries again... and a faint... "Jim!" comes out of his mouth. He repeats it a little louder... but is still very weak...

Jim hears a distant voice calling him... he is somewhere in "dreamland"... he wakes up with a jolt ... he's startled!...

Jim realizes he has fallen asleep! He jumps up and looks at his friend... gives him a smile and... tries to tranquilize him...

Mac is trying to take off his oxygen mask... his "finger oximeter" falls off and he's trying to sit up... but Jim gently pushes him back down... and tries to hold him there... 

_"Easy Mac! Keep calm, buddy!"-

Gaby... who is doing her "night watch"... she is roaming the corridor of her floor... when she hears whisperings  and takes a peek where it comes from... It was "lights out" and the patients should be sleeping... but... Aaron and Jim are chatting... in a whisper... but chatting anyway!

She tries to look angry as she goes in... and says... -"Is not party time!"-

When Aaron sees her... he can't believe his eyes! -"Gaby?"- He didn't know she worked there.

He feels so happy to see her... but then, at the same time, he didn't want her to see him like that! In that state!

When he sees her he tries to sit up... but falls back down with a groan... a sharp pain goes through the  left side of his body. -"Ouch!"-

Mac feels thirsty and Gaby gives him a little water... 

Jim loves teasing him... just to cheer him up!

Just as Gaby finishes giving Aaron some water... Dr. Wanjala, who is still around,... walks in...

He's a funny man... and is almost always in a good mood!

While they're making Aaron more comfortable... Jim went to stretch his limbs and have another coffee!

Gaby puts out the lights so that Aaron can sleep...

When Jim comes back, he finds Mac asleep... He goes in quietly and places his chair at the foot of Mac's bed. He sits down... and... falls asleep again!

The next morning, Jim had gone home... he needed a shower and a change of clothes. Lori would be arriving soon, that same morning... and he had to go and fetch her... before going to work.
They had let him stay in the hospital until his friend was out of danger. Then he would be assigned one of the "Newbies"... temporarily, of course!

When he picked Lori up, at the Airport, she wanted to go straight to the hospital to see Aaron... before even going home! She wanted to thank him for saving Jim's life! Lori liked Aaron very much! He was a sweet, loveable guy! She changed in the car... and she made Jim stop at a florist to buy Aaron some flowers!

Lori was so grateful to Aaron for saving Jim's life... As soon as she arrived to the hospital... she went straight to his bedside, said hello and kissed him on the forehead...

By the way... Lori was a little playful...

Jim knew it... so he decided to play along... 

They loved each other so much...that they knew exactly what the other was thinking... and they loved doing these type of "playful jokes"...

Poor Aaron, who is a little naive, didn't know what was really going on between these two!

He felt a little... "uneasy"... "Lori, kissing him in front of Jim????"... Of course... Jim played along!

And then... they felt romantic... in front of Aaron! (not fair!)...

-"What's the matter with these two?"- he thought to himself...

Then, Jim had to leave them... and Lori stayed with Aaron.

That same afternoon... Aaron had a visit... It was Father Bob and his sister, Babs.

They talked for a while, trying not to tire Aaron too much, because he was still very weak from the intervention... Only three days had passed since his operation.

Aaron was really grateful for the visit.

Gaby soon came in and adviced that Aaron had to rest. They were also her friends but it was her job... to care for the patients, first...

Of course... they all agreed that Gaby was right!

They said goodbye to Aaron and Lori (who would stay with him all night)... and also to Gaby.

As soon as The Hicks left... Dr. Wanjala came in... to check on his patient.

Some good news!

By the time Lori returns to the room, Aaron is fast asleep. Lori takes off her shoes, so she's a little more comfortable, puts the chair near Aarons bedside, puts her head on the bed... and soon falls asleep! She was tired... (she had been flying all night and still hadn't rested)

Early the next morning... Gaby comes in to change Aaron's bandages, wash him and put him as comfortable as possible...

Meanwhile... Lori stayed out of the way and went to have some breakfast at the Hospital Cafeteria.

After washing and changing Aaron's bandages... Gaby also removed all the unnecessary apparatus  (as the Doctor had said). Now, Aaron was a little more comfortable.

And when Lori comes back from breakfast...

Seeing that Aaron is much better... and in the best of hands!... Lori decides to go home... and have a much needed shower... and a long repairing nap! Then she'd come back!

While Aaron was recovering... he received a lot of visits. Jo and her sister Georgina...and Adam (FBI) too!... were one of the visits!

During a couple of hours... they tried to cheer Aaron up and they had a chat and some good laughs... which Aaron appreciated very much!

Aaron loves and appreciates the visits but also hates them... he doesn't want his friends to see him like that!

Sick, and so pale and weak!

Until they say goodbye... He needs to rest!

Every time someone comes to visit... they bring him flowers! And Doctor Wanjala, who is very funny... and is trying to make him laugh! (no way!)... Aaron's mind is elsewhere...

Another good news... that's better than nothing!...

Even so... Aaron was feeling a little more cheerful... and he even felt brave enough to...

He soon falls asleep... and Gaby can't help putting her head down on his pillow...and stroking it (as if it was Aaron)... she was falling for him... (she had already felt something for him at the weddings... but... tried to "shake it off"...) but now... the feeling was too strong...

The following morning... Gaby comes into the room... with a cheerful "Good morning!" and a smile... and carrying a wheel chair!

She helps him to sit up... A sharp pain in his left side makes him wince... She takes no notice (apparently)...

With Gaby's help... Aaron manages to stand up... get closer to the chair... and... he loses his balance and awkwardly falls "sitting" into the chair! He was grabbing Gaby by her waist... and as he lost his balance he brought her closer to him... not on purpose!

For an instant... there they stood... their faces almost touching... their lips so close...

Gaby soon reacts and pretends to pick up a glass that had fallen on the floor... She felt herself blush!... Aaron too... felt a little embarrassed...

Gaby takes him for a walk (or should I say... for a ride!)... she pushes the wheelchair up and down the hospital corridor. She is aware that he has no slippers nor a robe... No problem while he's sitting!... but he wanted to walk (of course he couldn't)... Aaron hadn't even thought about telling Jim to bring him a robe and slippers from his apartment! Neither had Jim thought about that! Guys! What are they thinking?

Gaby's good humour had made him laugh. He was feeling quite miserable lately...

Aaron had enjoyed the ride... and even more... the company! He thought it was too short!

When he returned to bed... his wound was so painful... that he couldn't help wincing... as hard as he was trying to hide his pain.

Aaron was very pale!

Gaby pulls down his gown (from the left sleeve)... and immediately sees that the bandage is full of blood...

She tries to calm him down...

...and calls Dr. Wanjala...

Aaron starts to panic... he doesn't want to go back to the operating room...

They have to pin him down...

They have to give him an injection to calm him down.

Two hours later... Aaron's back in his room.

Gaby has almost finished her night shift... but she decides to stay with Aaron tonight... she doesn't even change...

She's so tired from her night's work... that she falls asleep...

The next morning... Aaron is awake... but he doesn't realise that she had stayed by his side all night!

Jim pops in early...before going to work... just to see how his friend's doing... 

But... when they start to talk...

Their chat became longer and longer...

The next morning... Jim came to see his friend, as usual... before going to work... and he almost bumped into the Doctor... who was coming to see the patient.

The Doctor tried to cheer Aaron up a little.

After his daily change and wash... and while Jim was still there... he had another early visit...

Andy (Jim's younger brother) and his girlfriend, Emily...

Jim had to leave... but he left Aaron in good company!

They chatted away... until it was time for them to leave... 

Aaron always feels lonely when the visits leave...

As soon as they had left... in came Gaby... 

She pats his pillows "fluffy"...  Aaron can't help holding her hand... 

Their eyes meet... they both smile, timidly, as she removes one of his pillows...

A little bit of humour is very welcome...

Her Afternoon Shift had finished... Gaby changed... and then went back to check on Aaron...

Aaron thought he was dreaming!... How could that be happening... to him!... Just a normal guy... with this beautiful girl?... Wow!

She was so tired... it had been a long day's work...  She fell asleep... her hand in his...

He didn't even blink! He just looked at her with a silly smile on his face... incredulous...

He couldn't take his eyes off her... but after some time... he too... fell asleep. Still hand in hand.

The next morning... when he wakes up... she's there... watching him... sitting on his bed... smiling at him...

He wanted to tell her how much he loved her... but he couldn't... He didn't want to rush things... just in case... What if she didn't love him?

Two endless weeks had passed since he had arrived in hospital...

Aaron... nervously looks at Gaby... he doesn't know what to expect!...

Doctor Wanjala loves to keep him intrigued... just a little while longer... and he waits a little before telling Aaron...

The following day... before midday... Aaron was already dressed (Jim had brought him some clothes from his apartment, the day before)... and ready to leave that place!...

And ... five minutes after the clock had struck three...(p.m.)... Gaby appears in the Hospital Lobby... all dressed up in her "normal clothes" and ready to go!...

Aaron had been... patiently waiting... since two o´clock... He had a bunch of flowers in his hand. (As soon as he had left the hospital, the first thing he did... was run out to buy her a bunch of flowers from the nearest florist!)...

He invited her to lunch... but she had already had a snack in the Hospital Cafeteria...and wasn't hungry. Next time, Aaron! 

They went for a walk... When they got tired... they sat down on the lawn... in Central Park, for a while...

The weather changed and it was beginning to get cold... so Aaron gallantly put his denim jacket over her shoulders... (That area is always a little more windy)

It was about eight in the evening and night was falling.

He took her right to the very door of the entrance to her building (where she is actually living... with The Hicks... Father Hicks and his sister, Babs. Only temporarily.)

She gave him back his jacket...

Aaron was so happy and excited that he couldn't resist... asking her out again...

He didn't expect her to accept... but when she did... he couldn't hide his emotions...

He wanted to  learn how to speak Brazilian... and he asked her all the time...

-"How do you say this... or that... in Brazilian...

He had already learned how to say ... see you soon... "Até logo" (she told him in hospital)... and now she taught him a new word... Até Manhá (see you tomorrow)...

The following day... they went on a "new route".

Aaron still didn't know New York too well, either (remember... he's from Chicago)... so he was also discovering new things... together with her!

They had another fabulous day... together...

And everyday he took her straight home... up to the door.

One day... he invited her to a typical New York Hot Dog... in one of those famous Stands...

Gaby was happily surprised... she loved that!

and they also had... some funny moments...

And so... they had been going out every day... for a whole week... after Gaby's Morning Shift was over...

A new week started... and Gaby had Afternoon Shifts... So Aaron picked her up in the morning... around ten o'clock! 

They would have a coffee... ice-cream... or anything she wished!

One day... while they're walking, talking about their things, they are distracted by a long hooting sound,... a screech (like a car braking) and a "thud"! They see all the people are running ahead of them to see what had happened... something bad had happened...

A man had been run over... by a car (a four wheel drive!)...

As a nurse, Gaby ran quickly to the scene of the accident... she felt it was her duty!...

Asking permission to pass, saying she was a nurse... she made her way through the crown until she reached the scene of the accident, the middle of the road...where the a man was lying. Aaron was right behind her... saying that he was a policeman!... The people just "opened up"!...

The man was in his late fifties. Gaby kneels down besides him, touches his pulse... hardly any!... but he seems to be conscious... he was moaning and mumbling something she couldn't understand. She put her ear close to his mouth to see if she could figure something out... and also tries to tranquilize him... he looked in shock!

As she gets closer to his face... she perceives a horrible smell, mixed with that of alcohol... He looks at Gaby... helplessly... his eyes were dark and small... and bloodshot (Gaby thought...  he was either an alcoholic or a drug addict).

That stench and... those eyes... were eerily familiar to Gaby... and lastly...she sees a scar running across his forehead (from side to side)!...

Gaby went pale... all she managed to say was... -"It's him!"-  her face in terror...

She jumps up and starts running...aimlessly! The people... startled... stare at her... "strange behaviour"... Aaron runs after her...  he doesn't know what's going on!... 

-"Gaby?"- he says inquisitively...

-"Gaby!... Gaby!... What's wrong?"- he shouts running after her... trying to catch up with her...

She keeps running until she can't go on anymore... she stops to catch her breath... and her legs buckle underneath her... just as Aaron reaches her side and grabs her just in time... before she touches the floor... she almost faints!...

There's a bench nearby... he takes her to the bench and sits her down... as he sits down besides her...

She keeps repeating... -"It's him, it's him!"- over and over again...

She is frightened and shaking... Aaron tries to comfort her...

She sobs uncontrollably... 

When she seems a little calmer...

Babs is Gaby's best friend... here in New York (Gaby is living with her and her Brother... Father Hicks... temporarily)

Gaby wants to tell Aaron everything, but she doesn't know where and how to start... "What if he doesn't understand?"... she thinks. 

She feels ashamed too... about what happened...

She decides to tell Aaron the whole story... Who that man was... and what had happened to her... so many years ago...

Aaron is in shock! He doesn't even know how to comfort her... how to relieve her from that pain... that... night mare!... that horrible experience!... He feels so bad and so sad for her...

He doesn't know how to say the right words... he feels so clumsy (expressing himself is not his best subject!)...

Trying hard to comfort her... he can't keep it to himself anymore and...

He takes her up to the entrance of her temporary home... and all he can say is...

-"Take care, honey!"-  as she disappears behind the door with an...

-"Adeus!" (Goodbye)- without even looking back...

Poor Aaron just feels desolate... as he watches Gaby disappear into the building...

As the days went slowly by... and came the day when he had to go to the hospital to take his stitches off! His appointment is for 4:00 p.m.

While he is in the hospital, he thinks about talking to Gaby... He wanted to clear things up! If he wasn't mistaken... Gaby should have Afternoon Shift... but he can't see her anywhere!

He asks Dr. Wanjala... and the Doctor tells him that she'd be on leave for some time...and tells him the reason... 

Unfortunately, "that man" was taken to this hospital (The General Hospital... where Gaby works) and of course... she had a nervous breakdown... and needed a Sick Leave immediately. She couldn't bare the thought of being near that man!

Aaron almost felt sick, too... the very thought of not being able to see Gaby and explain himself... made him feel miserable. He had fallen madly in love with her!

He still had another week of "Rehab"... until he was fit for duty again. He was dying to end all these hospital visits... specially if he couldn't see Gaby there...

(A few days later... the man died... in hospital. Gaby was told... and she immediately felt relief... but she still needed some time to overcome it all!)

When he was finally "Fit for Duty" again.. he felt relief. He could keep his mind distracted ... concentrating on his work...

And Jim was delighted to have him back, too!

-"Welcome back, buddy!"- said Jim cheerfully! (Jim knew what he was going through... but tried to distract him).

The weather was already beginning to get cold... and that made Aaron a little happy (he loves cold weather!). Soon... they had the first snowfall!...

Seeing Aaron so sad and miserable... one day, Jim... his buddy... invited him to a concert. It was a Charity Concert... Jim had three tickets (Father Hicks had given him... on purpose... for a special cause...). Jim would go with his wife, Lori,  and the other one was for Aaron...

Jim told Aaron that it wasn't a Rock Concert... but a "Real Concert"... one you have to dress up!

Aaron had never been to a real concert (not even a Rock Concert!)... and he wasn't really in the mood... but... since Jim insisted so much... he'd go.

On the day of the concert (he went with Jim and Lori)... they met with The Hicks and with Jo, Georgina (Adam's wife) and Francesca (their husbands where working and couldn't go)...

Aaron was surprised to see Father Hicks and Babs... and not Gaby! They always went together! But... he thought... "Given the circumstances... maybe she wasn't in the mood" (like him!)...

Jim wanted to give Aaron a surprise. Aaron had no idea that Gaby could play a musical instrument... let alone... in a concert!

Gaby was focused on the concert. She felt much better... and playing her violin made her disconnect from all that had happened... in the last few weeks. She didn't know Aaron was there... in the concert.

She got ready..

The light go out... the curtain rises... everybody is dead silent... expectant!  

Gabriela comes on stage, bows, greets the audience with a smile and a "Good Evening"... and takes her place...

She will play a few "Solos" on her violin... before the Grand Orchestra come in...( then she will be play as "The First Violin")...

Aaron's jaw drops in aw!... He can't believe his eyes!

She start to play... just like an Angel from Heaven... (those are Father Hicks' words!)

Aarons eyes fill with tears... he fights to hold them back. He feels like a lump in his throat... and he can't utter a sound...

He feels all the eyes are on him... observing... while he's trying to control himself from jumping up and running up on stage to hug her... and kiss her!

When Gabriela's finished... she stands up... bows to the Audience and says thankyou in all the languages she can...

The people stand up and cheer... clapping and shouting "Bravos" here and there! Her friends too... of course!

After the concert, everybody wants to meet the musicians, and one in particular... Gabriela!...

Her friends wait patiently... while the people greet Gaby... some...very important people among them!

Finally... Gaby can go with her friends... and greet them and hug them and... they congratulate her...

Aaron just watches... he doesn't know what to do... if to go to her or keep his distance... He's not sure about her feelings for him... so he decides to keep a little distance... while everybody hugs her...

He's nervous... his heart is thumping hard! He also wants to hug her... and congratulate her... but... "What if she rejects him?" - He couldn't stand it!... there... in front of so many friends...

But... his friends... encourage him to go closer to her... and greet her too...

Jim nudges him...

Gaby also feels the same for Aaron... she loves him so much... but is also afraid to tell... she doesn't know what to do, either... She realises that she was "cold and distant" that day... and that he only wanted to be kind... She is the problem... she is not sure about herself (since that horrible day, so long ago)... and she doesn't want to hurt him... She loves him... Oh! and how!

Their friends also encourage her to go to him... and talk... "He's love is true!"- they tell her...

Their friends gently "push" them to one another... When they are face to face... they don't know what to say to each other...

Until... they both say hello at the same time... there is happy laughter!

They get a little closer... and...

Their friends can't avoid feeling happy for them... they managed to get them together again!...

Lori is a very emotional girl... and she can't help shedding a tear of happiness... just thinking about Aaron and Gaby's Wedding! She can't miss it!

While they are all happily talking... the lovers are in their own world apart... they cannot see... nor hear... only one another... That's all that matters!

They apologize... they forgive... they love... one another...

And for the first time... they kissed... passionately!... To seal their love!

Another day...

After that... Aaron asked Jim to help him prepare a surprise for Gabriela... He told Jim he had asked her if she would accept him... and she said yes!...

-"But... Aaron!... that's not how things are done, buddy!"- said Jim -"You need a ring!"-

-"I know, Jim!... That's why I need your help!"- said Aaron desperately...

-"You can count on that, buddy! What are friends for?"- said Jim cheerfully...

-"But first... you gotta buy her a ring!"- continued Jim... -"You gotta find out her size!"-

That was their secret... Sssshhh!...

In the meantime... Aaron continued "Courting Beautiful Gabriela!"...

And that same year... At The Christmas Eve Party...

Aaron is crazily dancing! Swaying from side to side!

Thank you! Gracias! Obrigado! Grazie! Merci! Dankie! 

Coming up next... 

You are all invited!

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