Chapter 11
'She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, like when you're swimming and you want to put your feet down on something solid, but the water's deeper than you think and there's nothing there.' - Julia Gregson
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The drive home felt like the longest journey in the world. Amelia was constantly looking in the rear view mirror as they drove, worried they might be being followed. Arizona was sitting in the back with Jo, rubbing her arm gently. 'Jo, you're shaking.' Arizona noticed, pulling Jo's jacket tighter around her.
'I'm fine.' She said gently.
'No you're not.' Amelia said, looking back at her briefly.
'I just wasn't expecting to see him, ever again.' Jo told them honestly. 'I thought I had gotten away.' She looked into Arizona's compassionate eyes, she smiled softly. The car started to slow, Amelia eventually easing them to a stop.
'We're here, come on.' She said, getting out of the car. Jo and Arizona followed, with Jo leading them all up to her door. When they got there, she turned to face them.
'Thank you, for tonight, for driving me home.' She said. 'I'm sorry to have been so much trouble.' She said.
'You're never trouble Wilson.' Amelia smiled. 'At least, not often.' Jo laughed a much needed laugh.
'You said Alex was still a the hospital?' Arizona remembered.
'Yeah, he should be home soon though.' Jo assured them, but the look Amelia gave Arizona was anything but assured.
'Okay, so are you going to invite us in or what?' Amelia asked.
'It's late. You guys should get home.' Jo said.
'I live in a room in my sisters house, with another sister, and three children.' Amelia said. 'I need a break.'
'And my child is with her mother, so I'll be going home all alone.' Arizona said sadly. 'Are you going to send me to an empty apartment Wilson?' Jo smiled.
'Of course not Dr Robbins, please wont both of you come in.' She said, opening the door and leading them through.
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They had been talking for over an hour whilst eating left over Chinese food from the fridge. Jo told them a little bit about her father and some of the things he had done. 'I can't even imagine what that was like for you Jo.' Arizona said, putting her chop sticks back in the container of food.
'It was not ideal.' Jo smiled sadly. 'I was actually kind of relieved when I found out he was in prison. He was locked away somewhere and couldn't get out.'
'Do you know why he was released early?' Arizona wondered.
'Some bullshit about over crowding and good behaviour.' Jo said.
'Happens more often than you'd like to think.' Amelia said. 'The men who killed my father, they got out a while ago. The guy who did the shooting served twenty years, the other one was out in eight.'
'How old were you when you're father was killed?' Wilson asked, not really knowing the story.
'I was five and Derek was ten.' She told them. 'I didn't remember much of what happened until Derek told me years later. I just remember being held. Derek kept me quiet, behind the counter, so they wouldn't find us too. He held me so tight I thought I was going to suffocate.'
'I'm sorry.' Jo said, but Amelia shrugged off the tears in her eyes and changed the subject back to Wilson.
'Where was your mother throughout all of this?' Amelia asked.
'Oh, she died giving birth to me.' Jo told them bluntly.
'I'm so sorry.' Amelia said just as they heard a noise from outside. The handle to the front door was rattling. They all stood and turned to the door, Jo's heart beating in her chest. After a few moments the rattling stopped and they heard a knocking, followed by a voice.
'Jo, it' me.' Alex called. 'I forgot my damn keys at the hospital, can you let me in?' They all let out involuntary sighs of relief as Jo walked towards the door. Alex walked in and gave her a quick kiss before seeing the others. 'What's this? Slumber party with the attendings?'
'Alex.' Jo said, locking the door behind them.
'Why's everyone so serious?' He asked, scanning their faces.
'There was an incident after work today.' Arizona said.
'What kind of incident? If it was that kid's dad I swear to God…' Alex fumed.
'No, it wasn't him.' Amelia assured him.
'Then what was it?' Alex wondered, putting his bag down on the bed.
'My dad found me.' Jo told him. The colour drained from Alex's face as he looked at her. He took her shoulders in his hands as his eyes searched her face.
'Are you okay? Did he do anything to you?'
'No, I'm fine. He didn't get near me.' She said, looking to Arizona and Amelia.
'Thank you.' Alex said, turning to them. 'For looking out for her and, you know, being here now.'
'Don't thank me.' Arizona said. 'Amelia was the one standing in front of him.'
'It's nothing.' Amelia said graciously.
'It's not nothing.' Jo said. 'I saw the look on his face Alex. He wanted to hurt her, get her out of the way so that he could get to me.' She looked to the floor. 'I can't have anyone getting hurt because of me.'
'None of this is your fault Jo.' Amelia reminded her. 'He makes his own choices and so do we. I'll stand between you again if I have to.' She assured her. Jo nodded and let out a sigh.
'Thank you, again, but you should really get back to your own beds.' Jo said.
'I'm here now, you guys have done enough.' Alex said.
'Okay, if you're sure.' Amelia took Arizona's arm and they walked to the door.
'Drive her to work in the morning and let me know when you get in. You're still on my service Wilson.' Arizona called as they went.
'Yes ma'am.' Jo smiled. Once they heard the door closed Alex pulled her into a bone crushing hug. He stepped back and looked her over once more.
'Are you sure you're okay?' He asked again.
'A bit shaken up but I'm okay. I'm just glad they were there. I don't know what would have happened if they weren't Alex.'
'I know. But I've got you here, okay?' He assured her.
'I know. You can't be with me all the time though, and he's not going anywhere.' Jo told him.
'Then we make a plan. We can get a restringing order, and you just have to stay with someone at all times. Doesn't have to be me, just anyone.' He kissed her forehead. 'We'll get through this.'
'Yeah.' Jo whispered. 'I hope so.'