[chapter twenty-four]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
This story is gonna be darker, and deal with serious, sometimes disturbing
issues. Just so everyone knows. Okay? Okay.
**
~Jimmie's POV~
"I still don't feel right about this." She protests as I step into my bedroom where Faye is curled up on my bed, staring out the window.
I wish she would look at me. She hasn't looked me in the eye since…
"Why not?" I ask. "I'm sure as hell not letting you go back to your place."
Not where he can find her.
"Yeah, but…" She tries again and I cut her off.
"Tough." I say, hoping she can hear the smile in my voice.
I brought her here when they finally released her from the hospital. I always thought living in a gated community, living in a safe place would protect me from rabid fans.
Not teammates.
"Does anyone know I'm here?" She asks softly.
"No one. I promise." I say, walking around the bed to sit beside her.
She remains silent for a moment before whispering to me. "Thank you."
"Shh."
Slowly, I reach out to take her hand in mind. She jumps slightly at the contact before relaxing.
"How are you doing? Did you sleep okay?"
She nods. "Yeah. Except I wish you'd let me sleep in the spare room. I feel bad kicking you out of your own room."
"The bed in there sucks." I say with a smile. It's not like I've been sleeping anyway.
Not with her here.
"Jimmie…"
"Faye, be quiet. You need rest. Stop worrying and just relax, okay?"
She nods slowly, leaning back onto the pillows of the bed.
"Can I…" I begin, not sure what I want to say. "Can I do anything?"
She glances at me, not meeting my eyes. "You already have. Thank you."
I shut my eyes for a moment, then try again. "Can I…" I pause. "Faye, will you look at me?"
She closes her own eyes, shaking her head.
"Please?"
Slowly, so slowly, she opens her eyes and looks at me for a moment.
Her bruises are healing. Her eye looks a lot better.
If only her soul would heal as quickly.
"Thank you." I whisper, looking her in the eye.
"Will you do something for me?" She asks quietly.
"What?" I ask.
"Will you…will you hold
me? Just for a little while?"