Chapter Three
It was late. Spock entered the arboretum to find his private meditation spot. Most of the time he meditated in his quarters, but he'd come to realize that the crew left a certain area of the arboretum alone in the late evening hours. He often wondered if someone had discovered him meditating there once and sent the word around, but he never found any evidence of it.
Tonight, he needed to meditate in a more natural surrounding after the events of the past twenty-four hours. Ms. Jean-Marie's sudden accident, then the nearly overwhelming emotionalism displayed by the senior staff as she performed, followed by Mr. Von Cleef's announcement that Ms. Jean-Marie would perform for each shift for the next two days and Jim Kirk's anger, though held in check with a forced smile, at the announcement which went against his explicit instructions.
He set the meditation lantern on the ground and prepared to sit when his keen ears heard a noise from behind the nearby plants. He straightened his meditation robes and moved silently toward the noise. He came around a bush to find Ms. Jean-Marie there, sitting in the lotus position with her face in her hands as she wept.
"Are you unwell?" he asked, as he had the last time he'd found her in a similar state.
She looked up, then looked back down. "You again?" she sniffled and tried to muster a smile. "We've got to stop meeting like this."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "Indeed."
She looked up at his expectant face. "I'm fine, Mr. Spock. I just needed an emotional release. Forgive me if I disturbed you."
Spock tilted his head, curiously. "Do you not find emotional release when you sing? Your songs seem to bring it out in your audience."
She sighed. "At times, I think I'm numb to it, actually. It's been a long time since singing…" she shook her head.
Spock's eyebrows rose. "Then why do you do it?"
"Won't you sit down? You're very tall standing there while I'm sitting here."
Spock nodded and sat on the ground, facing her. Then he waited for her to answer the question.
Once she realized that he wasn't going to let it go. "It once brought me joy. Now it just brings in money and notoriety," she sniffled. "It's a lonely life, Mr. Spock. The only person I see, sometimes, is Jordan, and he…"
"Treats you like a commodity."
Her eyes snapped up. "No!"
His eyebrow rose.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just that Jordan really cares about me. He's been there for me since I was fourteen when my father signed over custody to him."
Spock did not comment.
She cocked her head at him. "I imagine it must be lonely for you, too, being the only Vulcan on this whole ship."
Spock raised an eyebrow at her. "I have noticed that you have a tendency to deflect. When Lt. Uhura asked you about your family, you gave an inconsequential response, then asked her about hers."
She bowed her head, slightly. "I've had years of practice. I was taught that people are happier talking about themselves than about anything else. I simply want to make people happy."
"And what of your happiness?"
Her eyebrows rose. "I find it ironic that a Vulcan should be asking me about happiness."
"You have deflected again."
She smiled, then. "Am I wrong?"
Spock raised an eyebrow again. "No. Perhaps it may be ironic. It is no less valid a question."
She thought for a moment. "I have no answer. I haven't thought about my own happiness in a long time. It is 'inconsequential'."
Spock frowned. "It is not often a human being considers her own happiness 'inconsequential'."
"I dare say, it is not often a Vulcan will spend so much time trying to get a human being to examine her happiness."
Spock considered her for a moment. "You are, of course, correct."
They sat in silence for a few minutes. After a while she sighed. "So are you."
Spock raised his eyebrow. "Explain."
"I shouldn't be doing this if it doesn't make me happy. Singing always makes me feel free, though, like the stage is a safety zone. And I've done it all my life. What else would I do? And how do I know that anything else will make me feel as alive, as free, and as happy as singing used to?"
Spock tilted his head slightly. "Perhaps you need only return to a point where it is not about only money and notoriety. Perhaps it is possible to feel that happiness again."
She smiled. "That'd be great. Any idea how to do that?"
"Perhaps speaking to Mr. Von Cleef about letting you set your own performance schedule."
The smile faded. "He won't."
"Then perhaps you should become your own manager."
Her eyes widened. Spock was disturbed by the fear he saw there if only for a moment. Then she dipped her head. "I couldn't. There's more to being a manager than just scheduling dates."
"Is it something you are unable to learn?"
"I…I don't know."
Spock nodded, curtly. "I am confident that you are capable."
Her eyes met his again, this time with defiance. "And exactly what do you base that confidence on?"
Spock paused for a moment. Finally, he said with his upswept eyebrows knitted together. "You've said you like to 'make people happy'. I have seen your audience respond to you on an emotional level. Do you think this 'makes them happy'?"
"Yes."
"And do you think that, perhaps, if you were happier yourself, more 'free and alive', your music would reach your audience at an even deeper level? Would this not make your audience happier?"
She gave him a sidelong look. After a moment she smiled. "You make a good argument, considering – and I hate to keep bringing this up – that you're a Vulcan speaking of emotions." Then she tossed her hair. "But you still haven't explained what makes you think I would be capable of being my own manager."
"You seem intelligent and willing to learn. You have a personal interest in the future of the client. What more is necessary?"
She took a deep breath. "I…" she paused. "I'm going to have to think about all this."
Spock nodded. "I will leave you to do so." He rose and she jumped to her feet as well.
"I…thank you, Mr. Spock."
"One does not thank logic," he responded.
She smiled. "Of course one does – if one is thankful for it."
Spock raised both eyebrows. Then he gave a nodded bow and finally excused himself.
###########
Von Cleef stormed past Kirk as soon as the Captain opened the door. "Captain, I want you to keep that Vulcan away from my client!" he demanded.
Kirk blinked, raising his eyes with surprise. "'That Vulcan', Mr. Von Cleef? I assume you mean Mr. Spock, my first officer?"
"You know, damned well, who I'm talking about! I want him to stay away from Elise. He's filling her head with all sorts of nonsense!"
Kirk frowned. "Spock?" He tilted his head thoughtfully, and couldn't help the smile that played at his lips. "I've never known Spock to indulge in 'nonsense', let alone influence someone else to."
"Yeah? Well, maybe you don't know him as well as you think. If I see him near her again…"
Kirk stiffened. "I don't think you want to finish that sentence, Mr. Von Cleef. I'm not that little singer you can bully around. None of my officers answer to you. They answer to me. If Mr. Spock sees it necessary to speak to Ms. Jean-Marie, then he is free to do so - unless she objects."
Von Cleef took a deep breath. "It is because he answers to you that I am making my request to you, Captain. I apologize if I'm out of line. Elise was just talking about firing me!"
Kirk looked intrigued. "Really?"
"You don't know what she means to me, Captain," Von Cleef continued. "I've built my life around her. Her father signed custody of her to me when she was fourteen and I've loved her since she was eighteen years old. I have spent the past sixteen years protecting her from every possible danger. What would she do without me?"
Kirk shrugged with his face. "Perhaps the question is more 'what would you do without her?'"
Von Cleef paused to look at Kirk in the eye. After a moment, he said, with a hard edge to his voice. "I'm warning you, Captain. If that pointy-eared son-of-a-bitch comes near her again, I will protest to the Federation President, himself!"
Kirk stepped forward, fighting to control his anger. "Feel free, Mr. Von Cleef, to report anything you want to anyone you want. As for my officers, they are free to speak to whomever they wish, whenever they wish and I will not interfere. If Elise has an objection, she can bring it to me. Good day." Kirk indicated to the door.
Seeing that he was not going to get his way, Von Cleef turned on his heel and left.
###########
Leonard McCoy arrived at the VIP quarters quickly after a tearful Elise called him:
"Leonard?" her whispered voice came over the comms.
"Elise? Are you okay?"
"Could you come to my room, please?" she sobbed. "I – I need help."
"I'll be right there!"
He touched her door chime and the door slid open. He stepped in cautiously. "Elise?"
"Leonard."
He followed her voice into her bathroom where he found her kneeling against the vanity. He couldn't see her face but her hair was a mess and her clothes were disheveled. He approached her. "I'm here, my dear."
She slowly raised her head.
He gasped. "Oh, my god! Elise, what happened to you?!"
Her left eye was blackened and swollen. The right side of her mouth was swollen and her bottom lip was cut. She had a bruise on her forehead and an angry red mark on her throat. She began to sob as soon as she saw him.
He caught her before she collapsed and walked her out of the lavatory to her bed, where he got her to lay down. He pulled out his scanner and ran over her. In addition to her face, she had three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. He worked quietly to assess her injuries.
"Tell me what happened," he instructed softly while he worked.
"I told Jordan I wanted more control over my schedule. He went crazy. My fault…I shouldn't have said…" She sobbed. "It was too much. I couldn't fix it…"
For the first time, McCoy saw the portable tissue regenerator in her hand. He took it from her and looked at it. Then he put it to the side and said. "I need to get you to sickbay."
"No!" she seemed to try to shout, but the pain made it come out like a gasp. "You can't tell anyone. Please! Please…" the last word came out as a whimper.
"Elise, I don't have the equipment I need to properly treat you. You have broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. There are other things I need to help you."
She shook her head, tears running out of the corners of her eyes, looking away. "Then just go. Give me the tissue regenerator and I'll do what I can." She tried to push herself up.
He restrained her as gently as he could. "I'm going to go and get a field medikit. Don't move."
"Don't tell…" she reminded him as she lay back.
"I'm not going to tell anyone," he assured her as he left her side. As soon as he was out of the room, he finished his thought with a growl. "Yet."
She was unconscious when he returned. He quickly reassessed her, then started treating her, mending her cracked ribs first, then regenerating the tissues that were swollen and bleeding in her face. He finally got to her shoulder and gave her a pain killer as he woke her.
"Honey, I'm going to have to do this the old fashioned way. I need for you to hold on to this," he put a makeshift fabric sling in her hand that was tied to a part of the bed. "And don't let go until I tell you."
She nodded.
"I gave you a pain killer, but it may still hurt because I have to pull and twist your arm back into the socket."
She nodded again, wrapping her hand into the sling and holding tight. "Go ahead," she whispered.
He grabbed her wrist, took a deep breath and pulled.
When it was done, she let go and collapsed back into the bed, with a soft groan.
McCoy was close to her again, using the tissue regenerator to heal the tears in the shoulder ligaments and adjoining muscles. "Elise, let me take you to sickbay," he pleaded. "where I can help you properly. What I've done will heal, but you'll have scars—" Suddenly something snapped into place and he stopped short.
"No. Just let me rest," she murmured, tears forming in her eyes again and she turned her head away from him. "I'll be okay, really."
He decided not to pursue it further without some research. "Okay, my dear, but I'm not going to leave until you're sleeping." To emphasize his point, he pulled a chair close to her bed and took the hand of her non-injured arm in his while she faced away from him and quietly wept, which tore at his heart.
When she finally slept, McCoy ran the scanner over her sleeping form one more time to make sure he hadn't missed anything. Satisfied she was on the mend, but still wishing she'd go to Sickbay, he rose and left, making sure to lock her door behind him.
###########
When Leonard McCoy entered Sickbay, he went immediately to his desk and started his research. "Computer, how many times has Elise Jean-Marie cancelled or postponed performances? Can you find any records of injuries in your databases? "
Working.
Kirk entered, then. He went straight to what he called "Bones' medicine cabinet" and poured himself a short glass of Kentucky bourbon synthenol. Then he moved to McCoy's desk and sat down.
"What's the matter with you?" McCoy asked.
"That Von Cleef has a lot of nerve," Kirk stated. "I almost punched him in the mouth for the way he talked about Spock." Kirk took a drink. "He called Spock a 'pointy-eared son-of-a-bitch'!"
McCoy raised an eyebrow. "I've called him worse."
"Yes, but you're his friend. You may be pissed sometimes, but there's still love there."
McCoy frowned and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Doesn't make it right," he said with a voice of realization. "Damn it, Jim, Von Cleef needs to be thrown in the brig!"
Kirk's eyebrows rose. "What? Bones, that seems extreme, doesn't it?"
Results accumulated. The computer interrupted them.
"Report," McCoy told the computer.
Singer Elise Jean-Marie has cancelled or postponed performances 63 times in her 16 year career. There are 27 records of injuries in the database from various sources.
"Download them to disk," McCoy instructed.
Kirk frowned. "Bones?"
Spock entered McCoy's office and reported that Von Cleef had notified Yeoman Rand that the next performance would need to be postponed until tomorrow.
"I should think so!" McCoy yelled, surprising both Captain and First Officer. "Damn it!" he yelled and slammed his fist into his desk. "Doctor-patient confidentiality be damned," he said, finally. "Jim, do you know what Von Cleef did just before going to see you?"
"I know he'd spoken to Elise and she'd threatened to fire him as her manager," Kirk said. "He said Spock put her up to it."
"Yeah, he 'spoke' to her. If you can 'speak' someone into three broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, two fat lips, a black eye, and various other cuts and bruises."
Kirk frowned. "What?!" He stood. "What are you saying, Bones?"
"He beat her up, Jim. And, unless I miss my guess, I don't think it's the first time."
"I concur," Spock spoke, softly. "She and I had a conversation about her taking a more active role in her management, but I am surprised that she actually mentioned it to Von Cleef. She was clearly afraid of him."
"Oh, and she owns an old, refurbished tissue regenerator and said that she couldn't 'fix it'. She refused to come to Sickbay, begged me not to say anything." He frowned. "And, come to think of it, that night on the planet…Von Cleef interrupted our conversation in the garden and she acted like a child caught doing something wrong. Later, Spock found her injured. She goes to dinner with you, Jim, then she 'trips' over some furniture and is injured."
"Von Cleef did meet us as I was walking her back to her quarters," Kirk frowned.
"I think he's hitting her, Jim," McCoy's voice was hard. "And I don't think it's something new. I think that he's hit her frequently enough that she's had to postpone or cancel performances 63 times and bad enough that she's had to seek medical attention 27 times."
"But it can't be, Bones! No woman would stay with a man who acts like that!"
"Computer," Spock said. "Can you postulate a reason a woman would stay in a relationship where someone is hitting her?"
Working. In the late 20th century, Dr. Martin Seligman postulated that if a person is exposed to violence that seems unescapable over a period of time, that person develops 'learned helplessness' or the inability to attempt to help him or herself. This study was the basis of Dr. Leonore Walker's explanation of 'Battered Woman Syndrome', a syndrome related to 'Cycle Theory of Violence', in which a spouse experiences battery at the hands of a dominant mate over time.
Kirk frowned. "Explain 'Battered Woman Syndrome'."
The term "battered woman syndrome" was coined by American feminist and psychologist Lenore Walker. She concluded that the violence goes in cycles. Each cycle consists of 3 stages: Tension building stage, when a victim suffers verbal abuse or minor physical violence, like slaps. At this stage, the victim may attempt to pacify the abuser. However, the victim's passivity may reinforce the abuser's violent tendencies. Acute battering incident. At this stage, both perceived and real danger (of being killed or seriously injured) is maximal. Loving contrition. After the abuser discharged his tension by battering the victim, his attitude changes. He may apologize for the incident and promise to change his behaviour in the future. Walker used the Martin Seligman's theory of learned helplessness to explain why many battered women do not leave their abusers. In Seligman's experiments, dogs repeatedly suffered electric shocks without being able to escape them. After this, they did not attempt to escape a shock even if they had such a possibility. According to Walker, females who are repeatedly battered produce similar psychological responses.
Kirk ran his hand through his hair, in disbelief. "Animal experimentation?"
"Barbaric!" McCoy frowned. "Computer, is this a common disorder?"
Working. The computer processed for a moment. Negative. In the early 21st century, Earth, a genetic aberration was found that was linked to an inability to deal with negative emotions which led a person to become a batterer. A genetic treatment was introduced and the number of domestic violence cases decreased to less than 1 percent of the population. At the same time, psychologists discovered a treatment to combat 'learned helplessness'. By the time genetic manipulation was banned, upon the conclusion of the Eugenics Wars, domestic violence and battered spouse syndrome virtually disappeared. It is now seen as a random aberration in psychological behaviors.
"That explains why I've never heard of it," McCoy said, shaking his head.
"Who would do that to a woman?" Kirk sounded as if he were in shock. Then he walked over to the comms with a stride that was purposeful, despite his apparent shock, and pressed the button. "Security."
"Security, here."
"I want a guard posted outside Elise Jean-Marie's quarters. No one is to go in or out without my orders, understand? The only one able to see her is Dr. McCoy."
"Understood, sir. What shall we tell Ms. Jean-Marie?"
Kirk thought for a moment. "Tell her nothing. She can call me if she wants answers. If she wants to go anywhere, a detail goes with her – after contacting either myself or Doctor McCoy for clearance."
"Jim," McCoy frowned. "I know you want to protect her, but is making her a prisoner on this ship the best course of action?"
"Maybe not, Bones," Kirk frowned. "Let's just see where it leads."
###########
Kirk and McCoy approached the VIP quarters to see two security guards holding Von Cleef back.
As soon as he saw Kirk, he turned on him. "Why won't you let me see her? How dare you try to keep me from her? I thought—"
Kirk couldn't help the almost irrational anger he felt when he saw Von Cleef. "Mr. Von Cleef, you can return to your quarters or be escorted to the brig. Make your choice," his voice was calm, low, but clearly angry.
Passing them, McCoy depressed the button to Elise's quarters. When the door opened, he knew she was awake. He stepped in. "Elise?"
He found her in the same place he found her in before: standing in front of the vanity in the bathroom, this time putting on the finishing touches of her make-up. She smiled at him through the mirror. "Hello, Leonard."
"What are you doing up?"
"You really are an excellent doctor, Leonard. I'm getting ready for my performance this evening."
"Has Von Cleef contacted you at all?"
Her hand paused and she glanced down. "He must be really furious with me. Usually, when we argue, he's fairly quick to apologize."
"When you argue? Is that what you call what he did to you?"
"Oh, that was an extreme situation. I had challenged his authority and his livelihood. No man will allow that…"
"'No ma—'" He shook his head and moved closer. "It doesn't excuse what he did," McCoy said, softly.
"I'm sure he'll apologize when he cools down," she smiled, again, returning to her make-up.
"He cancelled tonight's performance."
"Really?" She frowned. "Of course," she murmured. "He wouldn't have expected me to call you for help." Then she smiled again. "See? It's probably the reason he hasn't come to apologize yet. He probably thinks I'm still sleeping."
McCoy couldn't believe the excuses she was making. Finally, he decided to try something. "How about you go ahead and do a performance tonight? Don't tell him, just do it."
She turned to look at him full on. "What are you talking about?"
McCoy moved closer to her, gently touching her shoulders. "He won't hurt you again, Elise. I can promise you that."
She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. "But…how? How can you make such a promise?"
"Because he threatened Mr. Spock and the Captain is keeping a guard on him. He won't be allowed to be alone with you."
Elise seemed relieved, but only for a moment. "But we won't be on this ship forever…"
McCoy smiled at her, his best country doctor smile. "Now, why don't we cross that bridge when we get to it? Do you want to perform tonight?"
Elise thought for a moment, then nodded. "I wouldn't want to disappoint the crew."
McCoy frowned. "It's not about the crew, Elise. This performance is about you. Do you want to perform tonight? The crew will understand if you're not up to it."
Elise looked puzzled and turned away from him to her reflection in the mirror. After a moment, she nodded, hesitantly. "Yes. Yes, I think I do."
McCoy smiled. "If you change your mind, you let me know. Now, come over here so that I can examine you and make sure you're mending properly."
###########
Kirk sat at a table to the side of the recreation deck with Spock and McCoy as Elise Jean-Marie finished her set for the Beta shift. Her music was as lovely and as haunting as it had been in every previous performance they had witnessed. Kirk leaned toward across their table to talk, lowly, to his friends. "I still can't believe that someone, anyone, would treat a woman like that."
Bones smiled. "That's part of your charm, Jim," he said. "You love women - all women. And you can't imagine anyone treating any woman with anything other than respect."
He waved this off. "Regardless of how I treat women, Bones, no one should be permitted to treat anyone like that."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "It violates our basic tenants of civilized behavior," he said. "The fact that Ms. Jean-Marie has allowed herself to be victimized in this way multiple times, speaks to some aberration of socialization."
"Perhaps," Bones postulated. "The root has to do with her father signing over custody to Von Cleef when she was only fourteen. Being abandoned by her father might have caused her to be more dependent on a surrogate, which, in turn, could have encouraged her to put up with things she might not have otherwise."
Jim looked up and smiled. "Elise," he said to the woman who had been slowly approaching and was now at their table. "Once again, a stirring, soul-touching performance!" He stood as did Spock and McCoy.
She smiled. "Thank you, Cap—Jim."
"How are you feeling, my dear?" McCoy asked.
Elise nodded. "Good. In fact," she looked at Spock as if to share some hidden meaning. "Better than I have in a long time."
Spock nodded his understanding with an almost imperceptible movement of his head.
"Join us, my dear," McCoy said, pulling a chair out for her.
She smiled and nodded, taking the proffered chair.
One of the Recreation crew came over and asked them if they would like anything to eat or drink. McCoy and Kirk deferred to Elise, who requested only water with lemon. Kirk and McCoy ordered brandy and Spock declined.
When their drinks were delivered, Elise tilted her head. "Perhaps I should have ordered something else," she murmured.
McCoy's eyebrows rose and he smiled. "And what would you have?"
She shook her head. "I don't know," she looked around. "Jordan would never permit anything other than water or tea. He says it's bad for my throat."
"Would you like a sip of my brandy? Just to try it?"
She looked at Spock and Kirk as if to get their opinion.
Kirk smiled. "If you never try it, you will never know if you like it. If you don't like it, we can get you something else."
McCoy offered his drink with a smile. "Go ahead, my dear."
She bit her lip for a moment, then with a timid smile, she took his cup from him and took a sip. Her eyebrows came together and she blinked several times as her lips puckered. Shaking her head, she handed the cup back to the doctor and touched her lips with her other hand. "Oh, no!" she blinked at him. "And you drink that on purpose?"
Kirk and McCoy both chuckled. "I guess it's an acquired taste," Kirk said. "There are other options, though. You could spend hours trying them all - if you really wanted."
She sipped her water. "Perhaps another time."
McCoy reached out and patted her hand amicably. "Whenever you are ready."
Elise smiled at him. "Thank you," she looked up, opening her mouth to say something else, but the words didn't come as her eyes widened and she shrank back in her chair.
The men at her table turned to see what had captured her attention.
Jordan Von Cleef, with his Security detail, entered the Recreation Area.
McCoy placed his hand over hers, in an act of reassurance, as Kirk and Spock stood to meet him.
Von Cleef looked at Kirk, but his words were not addressed to him. "Elise, you've openly defied my counsel. Have you decided to take this Vulcan's counsel and dismiss me?"
Elise refused to even look at him.
McCoy squeezed her hand, lightly, to reassure her.
"Maybe this isn't the time or place for this conversation," Kirk responded, his voice soft even as his eyes held a dark warning.
When Elise's breathing seemed to change, McCoy took hand in both of his and murmured a reassurance to her.
Jordan's eyes dipped. "Fine." He said, finally. "I'd like to meet with you tomorrow, Elise. To discuss our future business arrangements - if nothing else." Then he turned and was escorted back to his quarters.
Kirk glanced at Spock, who raised a single eyebrow in response. The two then turned and sat back down.
"Are you okay, my dear?" McCoy asked, still holding her hand.
Elise swallowed and nodded. "Thank you," she whispered.
"We can all be with you tomorrow, if you'd like."
Elise shook her head. "No. I'm sure it'll be fine. After all, your security guy will be there."
McCoy leaned forward. "Are you willing to try another experiment? Or do you want to return to your quarters?"
Elise looked into his blue eyes, examining them for a moment. Finding only a gentle smile, she smiled in return and whispered. "I think…I would be willing to try another experiment."
He patted her hands. "I'll be right back."
"Thank you, Captain, Mr. Spock," Elise looked at the other gentlemen at her table. "For coming to my defense."
Kirk smiled. "It was absolutely my pleasure."
"Should you require anything further from us, as long as you are on board," Spock said. "I do not believe I would be out of line to say that you may reach out to any of us at any time."
Kirk looked slightly surprised at his first officer, then smiled. "You're absolutely correct, Spock."
McCoy returned then with two different cups. He smiled as he sat. "Okay, so the first is a mint julep - one of my favorite drinks - and the second is something called a piña colada."
Elise looked up at him surprised. "Which shall I try first?"
He smiled. "Well, if I'm right. You will like one better than the other. Here, try this one," he pushed the mint julep toward her.
She picked up the drink and took a sip. Her eyebrows rose. "Much better. I love the fragrance!"
McCoy smiled. "That's the mint." He pushed the other beverage toward her. "Try this one."
She lifted the other glass to her lips and took a sip. Her eyes widened. "Oh!" she whispered and smiled. "I like this one!"
Kirk chuckled. "Success, Bones!"
McCoy chuckled.
Elise smiled. "Thank you," she looked around. "All of you for indulging and protecting me."
Kirk nodded. "Absolutely."