Hey everyone! Really sorry about the lack of updates. Things got a little hectic and my writing suffered but everything's good now and I promise to update more frequently. Thanks for your patience!
Chapter 28
As Jessica was being taken for a CT scan which the doctors had sworn was just a precaution, Jeff decided to go check on Matt. He wanted to see how his brother was doing but he also needed some advice. Ever since Jessica had mentioned Miller's name, he had been on edge. It didn't help any that when he entered Matt's room, Miller was there.
"How's Jessica?" He asked Jeff when he came over to them.
"What are you doing here?"
"Jeff!" Matt scolded.
"I'm sorry. It's just that Jess kind of remembered you in the ambulance," He told them.
"So you told her the truth?" Amy asked sitting in the chair next to Matt.
"No. She blamed it on the concussion. She thought she was imagining it."
"And you didn't correct her?" Amy scowled at him.
"I told you. Now is not the time."
"I'm afraid is it the time." Matt told him.
"Why what's going on?"
"Jeff, sit down." Miller waited until he did so. "The accident has been turned over to the FBI."
"Why?"
"It turns out there was a witness. He was the one who had called for help. Plus they've had time to analyze the crime scene."
"Wait, did you say crime scene?" Jeff asked.
"It's being treated as a vehicular assault. The witness saw that another car intentionally veering into their lane driving them off the road. The skid marks from both of the cars confirm it. What's more apparently the witness watched the driver of the other vehicle get out and take pictures of the accident."
"What do you mean he took pictures?"
"The witness claims he saw the other driver get out; walk over to their car and take a couple of shots of Matt and several more of Jessica."
"While they were trapped in the car? Jeff asked shocked. "Who would do that sort of thing? Did you get a description?"
"It was very vague and they were too far away to get a good look but we put what we got out to areas officers, maybe they will come up with something." Miller conceded.
"Which means you better tell Jessica and fast." Amy told him. "You can't keep this from her anymore."
"Listen, I just spent almost a half an hour trying to convince her that none of this was her fault and she doesn't even know what's going on. Now you want me to go back downstairs and tell her that she still has someone threatening her life and Matt's too. You know Jessica as well as I do. What do you think we'll happen?"
"She'll blame herself." Amy conceded. "But then she'll accept it and move forward. Honey, we know you're intentions are good but you can't protect her from this forever."
"Jeff, you're going to have to tell her." Matt added.
"Fine I will but not here. I'll tell her when we get home. She needs to be in a place where she feels safe and this isn't it. She hates hospitals enough as it is." Jeff faced Miller. "This is really happening again?"
"Yes." Miller nodded.
"And you swear that there is no way that Shane is responsible for this?"
"I told you it's not possible."
"Look, don't think I'm crazy. I know it's not logical. It's just that if it was Shane it would be easier to deal with. You know? It's not so unknown." Jeff explained.
"I understand but I want you know that we will find out who's doing this. It won't be like last time." Miller promised. "I won't let anyone get hurt."
"Yea well we've already been hurt and I can only imagine what this is going to do to Jess when I tell her the truth." Jeff said.
"We just have to figure out a way to make her feel safe again." Matt said.
"Did you check into any of the security companies I gave you?" Miller asked.
"I didn't have a chance but you can bet I will now."
"It might be a good idea if you do the same." Miller warned Matt.
"I don't think I was the real target." Matt said.
"I wouldn't be too sure." He cautioned. "Whoever drove you off the road made a point to take your picture as well. Just to be on the safe side, I'd give them a call."
"He will." Amy said. "I'll make sure of it." Jeff raised an eyebrow at her but she ignored it.
"Do we have room for one more in here?" Gil Hardy said coming into the room.
"Sure come on in." Matt told his father. "Pop, you remember Agent Miller."
"Please call me Nick." Miller said shaking his hand.
"He has a first name." Amy said sarcastically. "It suits you."
"Well seeing as I see you guys more than my own family, I guess it's only right. Besides the way everyone keeps saying Agent makes me seem uptight."
"Nick it is." Gil said. "So ya'll going to tell me what's going on? Where's Jessica?"
"They took her for a CT scan." Jeff told him.
"Is she okay?"
"They say it's a common procedure. She hit her head pretty hard so they just want to check it out. She's got a huge gash on it that they just finished stitching up but they think she'll be all right and she seems good. She's just a little out of it."
"And what about you?" Gil asked Matt.
"I'm fine. The cars totaled though." He told him.
"Well, be thankful it was the car and not one of you. I take it since Nick is here this wasn't just a car accident." Neither one of his sons would answer him which told him all he needed to know. "Maybe you should get some sort of police protection or like those guys you had last time."
"You mean Vince's guards?" Matt asked. "I don't think that's a possibility, what with Jess not on speaking terms with him. Don't worry. We'll be fine."
"I'm your father; worry is in the job description. How bad is it?"
"Matt will fill you in. I gotta get back to Jess. I'll check in with you when she has a room." Jeff said standing up.
"Yea right. Don't think you're getting away so easy." Gil warned. "I'll check up on you when I'm done pestering your brother." Jeff nodded then headed for the door he stopped to face them all.
"Remember no one says anything to Jess till we get her home." Once they all agreed he went back down to the emergency room where Jessica was. When he entered the room he saw Helms there keeping her company. "No room yet?"
"Hey!" Jessica said as he leaned down to give her a kiss.
"The doctor said she should have one shortly." Helms told him.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about. If they don't have any rooms, I'd have no problem going home." She said.
"Not until they clear that head of yours." Jeff said.
"Well that may take awhile." Shane joked.
"Guess what? Shane agreed to go pick up my car and drive it back here when he goes to New York next week." Jessica said excitedly.
"It'll be my pleasure." Helms said grandly.
"That way when Matt's able to drive he can use mine if he wants until he gets a new one."
"I think that a great idea." Jeff told her.
"Good news!" Joe said coming in. "We got you a room."
"Finally." Jeff said.
"Well we were waiting to see if we could get you on the same floor as your brother."
"Did you?"
"Yes sir. She'll be right down the hall. It'll be easier for you and your many visitors."
"Visitors?" Jessica asked.
"There are a lot of people in the waiting room wishing to see you. The nurses told them they'd have to wait till you got a room." Joe explained.
"I'm really not in the mood to see people today." She told Jeff. "I mean you guys are fine but at least not until my head clears up."
"Still hurts?" Jeff gently stroked her head.
"Yea and I think I need to eat something. I'm feeling nauseous."
"That's a pretty common side effect of the concussion." Joe told them. "But I'll let the doctor know as soon as I get you to your room."
"Thank you." Jessica smiled at him.
"No problem. I'm a big fan."
"I'll go let everyone know that they'll have to wait until tomorrow to see ya." Shane said.
"Tell them nicely please." Jessica said.
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle. You just make sure you get some rest. There'll be a lot of people piling in tomorrow." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before leaving.
Joe wheeled her out on the stretcher talking the whole time about wrestling. Jessica flashed an amused look at Jeff who was following along side of them. Eventually, they were in Jessica's new hospital room.
"I'm sorry we didn't have anything private." Joe said gesturing to the woman asleep in one of the beds. I'm sure it's not the accommodations you're used to."
"You'd be surprised." She said. "It's fine, thank you."
"Let's get you into bed." Joe reached out to help her up. Jessica shakily rose to her feet and was immediately overcome with dizziness.
"It's all right babe." Jeff said helping to steady her. They got her into the bed and Jeff pulled the blanket up. "Why don't get some sleep?"
"You're going to be here when I wake up right?" She asked him.
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." He told her. "I won't let you out of my sight." Assured Jessica closed her eyes. Jeff watched as her chest rose and fell.
This isn't right, he thought as he gazed at the stitches above her right eye. They should be living the life they had wanted, starting their future. Instead it was like nothing had changed and they were right back where they started.
