The hardest part was telling Ivan and Linette. They had known that Shane and Maeve had been hurt badly, but they had expected them to be home soon. When Jas took it upon herself to be the one to break the news, Vincent refused to let her do it alone. For that, she was... grateful. They thought themselves prepared for the reactions- questions followed by explanations, tears, and promises that things would get better. But when Linette broke down, Ivan had been the one to comfort her. It worried Jas and Vincent when Ivan blankly stared ahead as Linette cried on his shoulder. Jas knew, though. He was so much like his father sometimes, and at the moment, it wasn't a good trait to have. Yet, later that night, they heard him crying alone in one of the bathrooms, and Jas chose to let him be. She feared if she or Vincent tried to console him, he would put on a brave face. No, he needed to let those tears flow.
And through it all, Vincent had chosen to stay. Jas pleaded for him to go home and rest, but he refused, opting to sleep on the couch, Soleil often curled at his feet. He was ready to help Jas however he could. Still, he had been injured, too. There wasn't much he could do to help her around the farm, so he helped with Ivan and Linette. The two were excused from school for the few days remaining, as well as Silas and Sonnet; even Penny took the rest of her days off so she could be there for Sam. Abigail had gone to the city despite her injuries, and Penny had taken her so the both could be by their spouses' sides. Shane and Maeve's neighbors provided much-needed assistance to Jas, and she thanked them repeatedly. They insisted they were only repaying the kindness given when they had first arrived in the valley, which made Jas want to tell Shane and Maeve that they had made a difference.
Nathan would come back to the ranch midday to take care of business, check on Jas and the kids, then return to the city at night. Marnie refused to leave. Jas wanted to go, to be there, but she knew her place was at home for the time being. Seeing Nathan's face... he was tired. No doubt, he was missing out on sleep. She could only imagine how Marnie looked. She wondered about Maeve's family often. If Maeve's parents had left the hospital at all. If James and Danielle were taking shifts taking care of Lucas and Ruby, as well as Shane and Maeve. If they were eating and sleeping properly. It surprised Jas how easily sleep found her at night, as she wore herself out during the day. The first night back hadn't been like that, though... at least for a while. She tossed and turned, then felt an odd sense of calm before sleep took her. She expected her worries would haunt her dreams, but she was just too give out.
She stopped singing.
She threw herself into work. Vincent made sure she ate and slept, but even he was exhausted. He needed rest, but where Jas could sleep at night, he couldn't. He would watch over the kids to see if they truly slept. He would slip into Jas' room and sit on the floor next to her bed, holding onto her hand. It had become a ritual. The first night, she had tossed and turned so much, he could hear her in the living room. When he'd gone and held her hand, that all stopped. He would stay, nodding off here and there, and be gone before she would wake. She was never the wiser about it. She could only chalk up his tiredness to his injury and being worried for those who had been hurt. Sebastian was like another older brother to Vincent, and he adored both Shane and Maeve. Sam had been injured, but after a few days in the hospital was able to return home. Once Vincent saw his brother standing in Shane and Maeve's doorway, he hugged him gently, Jas able to see the relief on his face. It was such a good thing to see, and it was needed.
They struggled, when it came to Ivan and Linette. They wanted to go see their parents, understandably; what they couldn't understand, however, was that they weren't old enough to be allowed in the ICU. Maeve would call every day, asking about them when she had enough clarity before the doctors gave her the next round of pain medications. She would promise to tell Shane once he woke up, and Jas had every hope in the world that he would. Jas prayed so much, it seemed... Maeve had to have been beside herself with anxiety. Jas told her that Vincent had more or less moved in, bunking on the couch and taking care of Ivan and Linette as she cared for the farm. Maeve would never be able to thank them enough.
Life was frozen at a crossroads, until the day the call came.
Shane was awake.
XXXXXX
As much as they wanted to be able to take Ivan and Linette to see their parents, they knew they just couldn't. Jodi and Kent had taken them in while Jas and Vincent took the bus to the city. It rained continuously, making it a good day for Jas to miss out on the farm work. She had taken care of the animals earlier that morning, so she had been going nuts while being in the house, Vincent urging her to rest. Thankfully, that phone call came, and they had wasted no time. It pained them to leave Ivan and Linette behind, but they swore to them that the very second they were able to see their parents, they would take them. That seemed to placate them for now.
She was quiet. She rarely talked anymore. Vincent sat by her side, wanting to hold her hand... but she had been so distant. Instead of talking to him, she sat still, staring out the window, watching the rain as it fell. He leaned back into the seat, stretching his legs out until he felt the pull on his torso, causing a slight sting and making him stop. He placed his hand briefly over the healing wound, hoping to get the stitches out soon. He hated feeling useless. He did what he could around the house, with Ivan and Linette, but Jas was doing so much on her own. The only thing he knew to do was to keep positive, a persistent smile on his face no matter what, and to cheer Jas up... or at least try. Then again, she had been ever more distant since three days ago.
"I've made up my mind," she'd said to him.
He glanced away from the dishes he was washing to her, as she sat at the dinner table. She kept her gaze on her empty plate, but she moved the fork in her hand around absentmindedly.
"Yeah? What about?"
"I told you before."
Vincent returned to looking at the dishes, continuing what he was doing. "I know. Just making sure we're still on the same page."
"...They'll need all the help they can get, Vincent."
"I know."
"That's why I can't. I'm sorry."
He pulled his hands up out of the dishwater and dried them off on a hand towel. Turning to Jas, he only smiled at her, thinking and hoping that was what she needed. Just a smile of reassurance.
"Why are you sorry?"
She couldn't meet his gaze, and this broke his heart. "We had planned on going together. We would ride the bus together, leave together... But that's..." She put her head in her hands. "I didn't mean to let you down."
Vincent watched as she rubbed her face for a moment. She then put her hands in her lap, even still incapable of looking him in the eye. He shook his head as he leaned back on the sink, crossing his arms.
"I mean, it's fine. We can always go next year."
This made her look up at him, her eyes wide in shock. "We?"
"Well, yeah," he nodded. "I'm not about to do this without you, Jas."
"Vincent, no," Jas refuted, standing up and placing her hands on the table. Her face was fixed into a stern scowl, but he kept on smiling. It was something he had picked up from Sam, after all. He'd watched his brother smile through waiting for their father to return home for so many years. "You can't put your life on hold for me."
"I'm not," Vincent denied.
"You are!"
"I'm not," he repeated. "Jas, you know me. I'm not too good when it comes to keeping my head in the books. That's why I need you to encourage me."
"I can do that without-"
"And," Vincent interrupted you, "I'm not about to let you do this on your own."
Her stern demeanor melted, horror taking place. "Vincent... no." It had come out so desperate, pleadingly... But his mind was made up. He wanted to hug her, to let her know that this wasn't some half-assed decision, but no matter what, she would never see it that way. So, he kept his distance, standing at the kitchen sink, his smile never-faltering. "S-Stop. Stop looking at me like that."
"I think it's safe to say that I'm in this for the long-haul," he soothingly reassured. She slowly shook her head. "I am."
"But..."
"I want to help you. I'm going to help you. I've given this a lot of thought. I wouldn't be able to focus in classes, knowing you're here alone, busting your ass. It's not fair."
"And it's not fair to you!" Jas didn't realize her voice was raising. "Jodi and Kent will kill you- kill me!"
"I already talked to Mom and Dad. They were a little upset, but they understand."
Jas clenched her fists. "You knew this was gonna be my decision..."
"Yup."
She shook her head, her eyes giving him every bit of emotion she was feeling. "Don't be stupid! Please, reconsider!"
"Jas?"
She turned around quickly to see Ivan and Linette standing in the living room, having bathed and dressed for bed. They seemed confused and concerned, as Jas had been yelling for a bit now. With a quiet gasp, she covered her mouth and glanced back at Vincent before looking at them again.
"Are you and Vincent fighting?" Ivan asked innocently.
"No, kiddo," Vincent answered, making his way to them.
"But Jas was yelling, and she looks sad..." Linette muttered, her eyes fixated on her big sister. Vincent knelt down in front of them. "Are you being a meanie?"
This made him laugh. "Your sister may think so, but no, I'm not."
Jas tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry. "He... he's not," she managed to croak out. "He just told me something... I didn't really like."
"Oh." Ivan then poked Vincent's shoulder. "Well! Apologize!"
"N-No, Ivan," Jas stammered, feeling embarrassed. "It's nothing he needs to say he's sorry for."
"But it made you sad."
"And Mama and Daddy always say to apologize when you hurt someone's feelings!" Linette proudly informed, putting her hands on her hips.
"But he-"
"I'm sorry."
Jas looked down to Vincent, but he didn't look at her. It was quiet for a moment, Jas thinking of something to say.
"Uh, n-no. It's okay," she finally spoke. She then silently left the room, leaving Vincent and the kids behind.
She hadn't been the same since.
XXXXXX
They stood at the door to Shane's room, her fist raised as though she was going to knock on the door. But, she was frozen. He waited for her, giving her the time she needed, but she just stood there.
"Vincent..." she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Why?"
"It's okay. You're just scared."
"But I shouldn't be. He's awake now."
"Because seeing the both of them now is gonna make it all the more real." He heard her take a sharp inhale of breath. "We haven't seen them since the morning they were hurt. You know them for how they looked before. So seeing them hurt scares you." He put his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. Take your time."
"If I do that, we'll never go," she murmured. "Open the door, Vincent."
"Sure," he nodded. He knocked on the door then opened it, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to see. He just hoped Jas was, too.
Laying in the bed was Shane, his right arm in a cast that extended up to his shoulder. The bruises had mostly healed, but the cuts and abrasions were still healing. Maeve was in a wheelchair next to his bed, both of her legs in casts; her left leg had a cast up to her knee, while the other up to her thigh. She had a bandage on her forehead, where she had apparently had a rather large cut from a rock that had knocked her unconscious. Like Shane, her bruises had time to heal, but her cuts were on the mend. When the two had seen Jas and Vincent, smiles spread on their faces at once, and it was enough to make Vincent to have to steel himself. Jas hurried over to Maeve and threw her arms around her, careful to not hurt her. Maeve held on as tightly as she could, sniffling and trying to wipe away her tears. It had been a couple of weeks, and to say she had missed her children would be an understatement. After a moment, she felt Shane peck on her should, so she laughed while sniffling, pulling away from Jas.
"Sorry, looks like I'm hogging you from your father," she chuckled. "He got his tracheal tubing out earlier, so he's pretty hoarse."
"It's fine," Jas insisted. She leaned down and gently hugged Shane, putting her head on his shoulder, feeling his hand caress the back of her head... before he kissed her forehead. Her vision became blurry, but she blinked those tears back, feeling the warmth of Shane's hold.
"Thanks so much for taking care of her and the kids, Vincent," Maeve spoke to her side. This made Jas let go of Shane, sitting next to him on the side of his bed, taking his hand into hers, as she watched Maeve and Vincent hug. "She told me you had more or less moved in with them."
He pulled away, looking scared. "Eh, uh... if it's not okay- we're not sleeping together or anything. I'm sleeping on the couch, but if-"
"Vincent, breathe," Maeve interrupted with a grin. "It's perfectly fine. Thank you." She then reached up and put a hand on his cheek. "She also told me... that you've decided to wait to go to school until she can go."
He thought he was going to break out in a cold sweat. "I... yes."
Maeve gave him a heartbroken smile as she lowered her hand. "I see." She reached and took hold of Jas' other hand. "We've put life on hold for the both of you... and we're so sorry..." She started crying again. "We're so, so sorry..."
"M-Maeve, no. Please, don't cry," Vincent begged, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay! We'll go next year, won't we, Jas?" Jas didn't look at him, and he felt his heartbeat quicken. "A-At least, that's what I'm banking on. Aren't you, Jas?"
"Hm? Oh. Yes," Jas monotonously replied, as though she had only been half-listening. "I honestly hadn't given it much thought, but... sure. I'm taking things one day at a time for now."
It was quiet for a minute or two, and Vincent shifted his weight from one foot to the other until- "Oh, yeah! Uh-" he took his satchel off his shoulders and opened it up, pulling sheets of paper out- "-Ivan and Linette made these for you!"
He handed the paper to Maeve, who moved closer to Shane so they could look together. It was all sorts of drawings and colorings the two had done together. Several of them had get well wishes, others telling them how much they loved "Mama and Daddy". Then, the last was an actual photo of the two, their hands together in hearts, with big smiles on their faces. Maeve sniffled again, her tears still flowing freely down her cheeks. Shane was blinking quickly, and they could tell he was trying to keep it together.
"Yoba..." Maeve breathed. "They've lost more teeth, huh?"
"Yeah," Vincent nodded. "They're keeping the Tooth Fairy busy, believe you me."
"Damn, and we're missing it..." Shane hoarsely spoke for the first time.
"A-Are they..." Maeve cleared her throat, trying to stop crying. "Are they being good for you?"
"Of course," Jas answered. "We may have a little spat every now and then, but they're being really good. They just miss you like crazy, is all. They don't understand why they can't come see you."
Maeve shook her head. "As much as I want them in my arms, I don't want them seeing us like this anyway. It would... scare them so..." She then smiled at Jas. "Make sure to love them extra for us when you get back, okay?"
Jas nodded once. "Will do."
They spent the next while talking to Shane and Maeve about things that had happened while they were gone. How the neighbors were helping Jas out, giving their appreciation to Maeve and Shane for all their help over the years. They were informed that Sebastian was awake, too, and doing better little by little. Shane asked how Vincent was healing, to which he answered that he was doing just fine. Then, he asked about Sam, and Vincent reassured him that Sam was doing well and to not worry. They told Shane and Maeve little stories about Ivan and Linette, having the two laughing and smiling, asking for more and more stories, to which they gladly gave them. An hour passed, and it was visibly plain that Shane was getting increasingly tired, so Vincent stood up from his chair, getting ready to leave.
"Jas, we should probably go..."
Jas knew it was true, but still... She held tighter onto both Shane's and Maeve's hands, not wanting to leave.
"Hey, it's okay," Maeve soothed, sensing Jas' apprehension. "You can come back anytime. Hopefully soon, the kids can come, too."
"I promised I'd bring them the second they could come," Jas said as she stood up. She hugged them both again then followed Vincent to the doorway-
"Jasmine," Shane called out to her, his voice still horribly hoarse. She and Vincent stopped, the both turning to look at him. "Chin up, sweetheart. You're doing great."
"Am I?" she asked. "I just... feel so lost."
"Don't," Shane insisted. "Look at you. You're doing so much on your own, and you're eighteen years old. You should be proud of yourself. Yoba knows I'm proud of you." He smiled. "So, keep your chin up. It'll get better, I promise."
Vincent felt the air around Jas shift, and he saw her smile for the first time since that fateful day. There it was. There she was.
"I... I am. Thanks, Dad," she beamed. "See you two later, okay?"
"You two be on your best behavior," Vincent joked. "Don't wanna hear about crazy shenanigans going on in a hospital."
"You know us too well, Vin," Maeve giggled. "Bye! Be careful!"
Vincent closed the door behind them, he and Jas walking towards the elevator. He pressed the button, waiting for the elevator, with Jas by his side. When he heard the ding and the elevator doors opened, he walked inside, followed by Jas, who pressed for the lobby floor. No one else was coming, so the doors slid closed, and that's when he heard it. He turned to Jas, who was trying to wipe her tears away... but it was an impossible task. They were falling too hard, too fast, and she started weeping aloud.
"Jas," he gasped. "H-Hey, don't cry. It's o-"
She cut him off when she threw herself into his arms, forgetting about his wound. He felt the pull slightly, but ignored it as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her more tightly, her head against his chest, feeling her tears wet them. Her knees gave out, and the two of them sat down on the floor, her crying all the harder as he just held her.
There was a ding, and the elevator doors opened to the front lobby. People waiting for the elevator were greeted with the sight of Jas crying and Vincent consoling her. Not knowing what else to do, he lifted up Jas' chin and whispered to her that they needed to go before helping her up to her unsteady feet. They found a couch in the lobby, so they sat there a while until she was able to move on.
The bus ride home was quiet, but for a different reason. Jas had fallen asleep against his shoulder, and he was more than happy to be her pillow for a few minutes.
XXXXXX
"There you go. No more stitches," Harvey smiled as he leaned back. He pushed his glasses further back on the bridge of his nose. "You'll have quite the scar, but you're fortunate to have come away with just that."
Vincent's fingers traced over his scar as he examined it. "Maru did great, Doc. Tell her thanks for me."
Harvey nodded. "Will do. Ah, but don't go thinking you can just get back in the saddle just yet. Give it about another week, okay?"
Vincent stood up from the bed and reached for his shirt. "Sure. And, uh... thanks. For everything."
Harvey was rather perplexed. "Removing stitches is a rather sim-"
"No, for saving everyone." Vincent looked at his shirt that was in his hands. "Sam told me about what all you did for them in the mines." He moved his fingers over the sport's team's name that was on his shirt: TUNNELERS. He, Shane, and Sam had bonded quite a bit over that team. "I'm sure it wasn't easy. Sam said you never let yourself rest."
Harvey only smiled. "It's what doctors do. It may have not been easy, but it would've been much harder to have had to tell you I couldn't do anything. So, I prefer the extra work."
"Yeah," Vincent agreed. He put on his shirt. "Still... thanks."
"Don't mention it. Send Sam on in, okay?"
Vincent left the room to find Sam still sitting in the waiting room, his arm in a sling. His break had been severe enough to require surgery, and his broken ribs caused additional pain. Seeing Harvey was a common event for Sam now. Sam looked up from his phone to Vincent and grinned at him. "Hey hey! Let's see that scar!"
Vincent grinned back and lifted up his shirt just enough to show the scar, free from its stitches. With his good arm, Sam gave Vincent a low-five.
"Feels good to finally have those out," Vincent beamed. "Oh, uh, Harvey said it's your turn."
"Mm, thanks." He stood up, Vincent walking past- "Hey, Vin?"
He stopped and glanced back at Sam. "Yeah?"
"Wait for me. I wanna talk to ya."
Vincent looked uncomfortable. "But Jas-"
"Mom is going over to help out," Sam interrupted. "Wait for me. Okay?"
"Uh, sure," Vincent nodded as Sam walked into the room.
XXXXXX
"Ah, that feels good," Sam sighed as he closed his eyes, feeling the ocean breeze on his skin. The sun shone brightly overhead, and the crashing of the waves was relaxing to hear. Sounds of seagulls overlapped with the crashing of the waves, and Vincent could see Willy fishing on the pier, a bucket of fish next to him. They were on the east beach, near the tide pools. He knelt down and looked into a pool to see a couple of starfish here and there, just chilling on the rocks. It had been some time since he'd been able to go to the beach; he hadn't really been able to leave the house, and he wasn't going to leave Jas by herself. The other parents would sometimes come and get Ivan and Linette when they would take their kids to the beach, giving Vincent some time to get more laundry done, or selfishly rest. He hated it, but he had been hurt... he had to every now and again.
"What'ch'ya see, Vin?" Sam asked, peering into the water.
"Some starfish. See 'em?"
"Yup. Cool little things. Lydia says they're icky, but Ezra loves 'em." He sighed. "Can't wait until this gets better. Hate not being able to play with my own kids."
Vincent nodded. "I bet. As playful as they are, I'd say Penny has her hands full."
Sam laughed. "She's doing pretty good. She taught you, after all."
"Ouch, Sam. What the hell?" Vincent jokingly sulked. "I wasn't that bad."
"You did have Jas to kinda mellow you out when you go too wild," Sam grinned. He pointed at something. "Crabs!"
Vincent looked to wear Sam was pointing and beamed. "Oh, hey! Neat!"
"Speaking of Jas..." Sam then stood upright. "You two okay?"
This made Vincent look up at his brother, confused by the question. "Huh?"
"You and Jas. You two doin' okay?"
"I, uh? We're fine."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Fine?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna call bullshit on that one."
Vincent stood up at that. "What? Why?"
"Because I'm your brother, and I know when something is bothering you. Because I know that you and Jas had literally just got together, and this shit was thrown your way. Because I know Jas like my own little sister, and she's not the same." He could see Vincent balk under the pressure. "Relax. I'm not here to fuss or anything. I'm here to help."
"Help?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"You'd be surprised at how much just airing out shit helps," Sam pointed out. Vincent chewed on his bottom lip, expressing his doubts and discomforts. "C'mon. Talk to me."
Vincent took a big inhale-
"I feel like I ruined it, Sam," he spoke incredibly quickly. If Sam hadn't been his brother for so long, he wouldn't have been able to keep up, but thankfully, he was ready for Vincent's volcanic eruption of words. "I told her that I wouldn't go to school until next year with her, and she just shut me out. Shut me down. When we visited Shane and Maeve a week ago, that was the first time she had let me in since the whole thing. But she hasn't done it again. She won't. And I feel like I'm watching her fall apart, and I'm trying so hard to put the pieces back together, but she's just breaking faster and faster." He put his face in his hands before throwing them in the air in frustration. "I love her, Sam. I've loved her for a long time, but I didn't really know it until I saw her fading away from me. I don't know what to do. I feel powerless."
Sam had crossed his arms at some point in Vincent's panicked ranting, but his face still held the same caring, accepting smile. That was where Vincent had gotten it from, after all. When he was done, Vincent's eyes widened, and he covered his mouth with his hands, taking a step back.
"Shit. Shit, Sam. I'm sorry. I know you've had it rough, too. I'm sure you're glad Seb's doing so much better, but-"
"Vin, shh. Relax," Sam cut him off, putting a finger in front of his lips. "Now that Sebastian is awake and on the mend, there's nothing more to worry about."
Vincent shook his head. "But-"
"Stop." Sam put his hand on Vincent's shoulder. "I'm your brother, yeah? Lemme do the brother thing."
This made Vincent laugh. "The brother thing? That sounds like it should be trademarked."
Sam smirked. "Maybe I should do that." He then lowered his arm. "I know she's being distant for now. And it's to be expected, y'know? Shane and Maeve were nearly killed. You got hurt. She's taken over farming while they're on the mend. You're helping so much with the kids, but listen to Harvey and give it another week before heading back out to help Jas in the fields."
Vincent winced. "He told you, huh?"
"Only because he knows you and was worried you'd push yourself," Sam addressed. "She's depressed right now, and that's okay. She has every right to be. To be honest, I've been worried about you."
Vincent blinked twice. "Me?"
"Yeah."
He shook his head. "I'm fine."
"I can see that, but it's not gonna stop me from worrying. People deal with shit differently."
"Yeah..." Vincent exhaled, his shoulders slumping.
"You need to sleep."
"Eh?" Vincent was seemingly stunned by the simple remark. "How-"
"Those bags and dark circles under your eyes aren't doing you any good."
Vincent narrowed his eyes at his brother. "I sometimes wonder if having you as a brother is a good thing or not."
Sam smirked. "What? It's the best thing ever."
"It's the most annoying thing ever for the time being."
"Vin, you wound me."
Vincent then grinned at Sam. "No, but seriously, Sam. Thanks." He gave him a thumbs-up. "Thanks for lookin' out for me."
Sam nodded. "Yeah, sure. No matter how old you are, you're always my li'l bro. Me lookin' out for ya is never gonna change." He looked out at the ocean. "Just give her time. Keep being there for her, like you have been. She'll come around."
"Yeah..." He stretched, finally glad to not feel that pull on his torso. "I just wanna do more. Make her feel better." He then snapped his fingers. "I got it!"
"Uh... what? Got what?'
He turned to Sam, his eyes glistening with hope. "Rasmodius!"
"What about him?"
"He talks to spirits and stuff, right?"
Sam tilted his head to the side, expressing his confusion. "As far as I know."
"I mean, I know how he helped out with Ivan's birth and all," Vincent rapidly spoke. "Think he'd be able to help out with us?"
"How do you mean?"
"With Jas, I mean."
"With her depression?"
"Yeah!"
"Vin, that's nice of you, but this is something that has to work out over time."
"Maybe, maybe not!" Vincent turned and started running towards the exit of the beach. "Thanks again, Sam! I'll see ya later!"
"Uh... sure?" Sam muttered, watching his brother leave. He sighed and smiled to himself. "Just don't get carried away, Vin. Jas needs you just as much as you need her." He shook his head then looked down at the crabs, as though he was talking to them. "My kid bro, in love. Kinda gross. Kinda sad. But eh, what can ya do?"
XXXXXX
Jas sat on the couch, petting a sleeping Soleil. Her eyes darted back up to the clock on the wall. It was late. Too late. Where the hell was Vincent?
Ivan and Linette had gone to stay at Haley and Alex's to have a sleepover with Atlas. She had gotten her farm work done hours ago and had gone inside, expecting to find Vincent back from his doctor's appointment and spending some time with Sam. Jodi had prepared dinner, and before she had left, Alex called, asking if Ivan and Linette could come for the sleepover with Atlas. Jodi had taken them with her, leaving Jas alone for the first time in weeks. It was weird. Vincent kept the house so clean, so she didn't have anything to do. She played on Shane's gaming system for a while, took a shower, and then waited more. She picked up her cellphone and called Sam. After several rings-
"Hello?" Penny answered sleepily.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jas tensed. "I know it's late, Penny, but Vincent isn't back yet. Is he staying the night with you?"
"Huh? No, he's not," Penny yawned. "Sam said he went to go talk to Rasmodius, and that's the last he saw of him."
Jas was even more confused. "Rasmodius? Why?'
"I don't know. Want me to wake up Sam? We can go looking for him."
"No, that's okay. I'll go. Thanks, Penny." She ended the call and stood up, putting her boots on. She grabbed a flashlight and headed out the door, going straight for Rasmodius' place. She didn't even have to knock on the door when it swung open, an irritated Rasmodius standing before her.
"You're not Vincent."
She blinked. "Uh, no. I'm not."
He sighed impatiently. "I sent him out hours ago, and he's not back yet. Youth these days are so incompetent."
"So, you sent him on an errand? Where?" Jas asked, feeling hope igniting in her chest. "It's really late, and I'm worried about him."
"To the forest behind my tower," Rasmodius answered. He tapped the brim of his wizard hat with a finger. "He's late. If he's serious about helping you, you'd think he'd be quicker than this."
The statement jolted Jas to her bones. "Wait, what? What do you mean?"
Rasmodius raised an eyebrow. "What else would I mean? He asks me to do something, and he's slow about it! Apparently, he isn't-"
"No, not that!" Jas interrupted, waving her arms in front of her. "The part about helping me! What did you mean?"
"Oh, that." Rasmodius shrugged. "He's worried about you, silly girl. He came to me wanting my aid to help you feel better. I've got something to help, but I need four blue mushrooms to do it."
"Four?! Those are super rare, Rasmodius!" Jas fussed. "My entire life, I've seen maybe three!"
"They're a little more abundant in the forest behind me," Rasmodius informed. "Be a dear and fetch him for me? Tell him I'm getting impatient, and if he wants to help you to hurry it up."
He then shut the door, leaving Jas alone, her mouth agape and eyes wide. She shook her head to bring herself back to reality and headed to the forest behind the tower. Flashlight moving around to give her sight in the darkness, she searched for Vincent, taking her time so she wouldn't trip over tree vines. She wasn't scared of the dark by any means, but she felt a certain unease. She wasn't sure how long she'd been searching when she heard a voice ahead. Following that voice, she listened as it got louder... and louder... and then it was clear that it was Vincent, and he was rather upset about something.
"Fucking blue mushrooms," she heard him swear. She was stunned. Vincent swore, sure, but hearing him this upset was a shock. He was always so upbeat, never letting anything get to him. She could count all the times she'd seen him down or mad on her hand. "'Go find four of them for me. It shouldn't take you long.' Fuckin'- it's been eighty-four years, Rasmodius! I've found three! Where's the last fuckin' one, huh? Where?!" She heard something heavy hit the ground, and a grunt. "Dammit. Dammit! Fuckin' ow! When I find this last mushroom, I'll give all of them to you all right. I'll shove them so far up your ass that they'll come out of your mouth! Find the mushroom, taste the mushroom, you crazy old fart!"
She couldn't help it. She burst out laughing as the flashlight landed on Vincent. He jumped and wheeled around, his eyes wide and mouth in a large O. He was covered in head to toe with dirt, grass stains, and scrapes and bruises. His hands were filthy, in one a burlap sack with the three mushrooms inside, the other holding onto a small shovel. She started laughing even harder at this sight.
"Jas! Holy hell, you scared me!" he breathed. "What are you doing out here?! You need to- why are you laughing?!"
She tried to stop, but she just kept hearing his swearing over and over in her head, and seeing his surprised reaction when she'd found him. She doubled over, arm over her stomach, tears in her eyes.
"H-Hey, it's not funny! You nearly scared me to death!" He lifted up his shovel. "What if I'd thrown this at you?!"
She laughed all the more. His cheeks turned crimson, and he pouted.
"Seriously, Jas?"
"S-Sorry!" she giggled. "I don't think you know how loud you were being!" She tried to stop laughing again, but it was proving difficult. "I can see Dad has rubbed off on you!"
"Oh, shit. Sorry, Jas," Vincent winced. "I didn't know. I was just- these stupid mushrooms-"
"-Can apparently go right up Rasmodius' ass?" Jas laughed so hard, she collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You heard even that?!"
"It was certainly colorful!"
He took a step towards her. "J-Jas! Breathe! Your face is turning blue!"
"I-I'm fine!" She took in a deep breath and clamped her mouth shut in efforts to stop laughing. "Find the mushroom, taste the mushroom?"
Vincent slouched. "I... uh..."
She laughed again. "Sorry! It's just so funny!"
He shrugged. "Glad to be of expense." He then gasped. "Glad to be of expense!"
Jas stared at him. "You said that twice."
"I know! I- Jas! You were laughing!"
The statement made her all the more confused. "Yes?"
A smile spread on his face. "It's been a long time. I was wondering when I'd hear it again."
"Oh." She looked away, embarrassed. "I... guess it has been." She then gasped as she pointed to a tree nearby. "Vin! I see it!"
He looked to where she was pointing and gasped, running to the tree. "Holy shit! Finally!" He quickly dug up the blue mushroom and put it in the bag. "Fina-fucking-ly! Now to take it to Ras-"
"No need," they heard a dismantled voice speak. A purple orb of light floated their way, and in a flash, there stood Rasmodius next to Jas. "Give me the sack."
"Uh, sure," Vincent nodded, walking to him and giving him the burlap sack. "So, what are you gonna do with these?'
"Oh, these? They make quite an amazing soup. I've been craving it for days."
Jas was sure that if Vincent could explode, he would have then.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SOUP?! YOU SAID IT WAS GOING TO HELP!"
"I said you going on the search would help me. Help me to concentrate," Rasmodius pointed out. "You were hovering over me. I needed you out of my hair." He then reached in his pocket and pulled out a brown leather-woven bracelet and handed it to Jas. "Here. Wear this."
Jas took it, albeit with question. "Why?"
"I've imbued it with a charm," Rasmodius began to answer. "I know. It's hard right now. But it should help negate some of those negative thoughts and feelings you have. It's not a panacea, mind you. But this, and the best healing factor of all- time- will help you." He looked at Vincent. "By the way, your little tantrum amused me. I saw it in the mists of my cauldron." He then gave a rather lackadaisical wave. "Anyway, thanks for the mushrooms, Vincent. Its time for me to go to bed. You should do the same."
With that, there was a flash of light, and he was gone. For a time, the two were just... there... wondering what had just happened. Then, Vincent saw Jas put the bracelet on her wrist.
"Uh, you don't have to do that, Jas."
"Why not?" She smiled. "After all the trouble you went through? Of course I'm going to." She looked at it and traced her fingers over the weaving. "I actually feel a little better."
Vincent's eyes shone at her words. "For real?!"
"Yeah," she grunted as she rose to her feet. "Thanks, Vincent. Really. I know it's been hard lately, but... I'll get there." She sighed, looking down at her boots. "So much happened so fast... and hearing you say you were putting your education on old for me... it didn't help." She then looked up. "But I was looking at it the wrong way. No matter what, I'm going to have you by my side. And there's nowhere else I'd rather be. As long as you're with me, I'll be happy."
He looked away this time. "You don't have to act like that, y'know. I know I made it all worse."
"No, you didn't," Jas denied, shaking her head. "I got too wrapped up in my own negative mindset that I didn't see the good that came out of it. You. If anything, this has helped me see that..." She stopped.
"That?"
She blushed. "You're gonna make me say it, huh?"
Vincent lifted an eyebrow. "Say what?"
Jas exhaled, feigning irritation. But, the smile on her face gave it away. "I'm in love with you, you dork."
"Oh!" Vincent then smiled. "Ha, actually... I'd just told Sam today that I had loved you for a long time. I didn't know, though, until I saw your smile fade. And you stopped singing." He could see her retreat a bit, but he shook his head. "Don't! It's fine! You have every right to be upset and depressed! You went through a lot of shit."
"So did you. And I know I didn't help matters much." She closed the distance between them and put her around his shoulders. "I promise, Vincent. I'll do better. Just... be patient with me. I know you have been, and I can't thank you enough." She leaned her head against his chest. "I couldn't have done this without you. And I mean that." She then pulled away and took his hand into her own. "Now, let's get you back home. I'm sure you're starving, and you are filthy."
"I could go for a long, hot shower," he agreed as the two walked back towards the farm together, hand in hand.