Chapter Fifty
Jason and Elizabeth had come home from a relaxing ride when they were greeted by shouting in the garden. Elizabeth became concerned as she approached the volatile scene. It had become mysteriously quiet as they found Jaime leaning against a tree. When Jaime began heading towards the house, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel sympathy for Mr. Nam.
Elizabeth walked beside her with Jason hovering behind. She exchanged glances with Jason. What happened? Jason shrugged his shoulders and then was suddenly weighed down by Jaime's limp frame.
Elizabeth stifled a gasp as Jason adjusted his stance and maneuvered Jaime up into his arms. She followed Jason as he swiftly carried Jaime to her room.
As the days passed, everything seemed to worry Elizabeth. Jason and Elizabeth, along with Donnie and the staff kept watch over the unusually somber girl. She hadn't spoken a word about the kidnapping since the plane ride back to Venice. Even Jason couldn't lure her into a sparring match.
It seemed like the nights stolen away from Jaime had a hold on her that no one could break. Until today. This outburst had been the first bit of emotion Jaime had shown. In the beginning, Elizabeth suggested leaving, but Jaime protested, citing 'the trip won't be ruined anymore because of me.' Elizabeth felt helpless. And she felt guilty. She thought in some way she could help by relating the trauma to her experiences of rape. But somehow Elizabeth couldn't quite comfort her with her words.
Mr. Nam was followed slowly behind and began heading towards the main door when Elizabeth called after him. "She'll be okay Mr. Nam," Elizabeth offered.
The sharply dressed man nodded solemnly. "Thank you Ms. Webber. I want to thank you and Mr. Morgan for finding her."
Elizabeth smiled slightly and shook his hand. "We'll take good care of her."
Mr. Nam smiled half-heartedly and left.
Elizabeth looked towards the stairwell. Please let her be all right. Please.
***
Jason felt Jaime regain consciousness as he placed her on the bed. He sat on the edge of the bed as her eyes fluttered open. "Are you all right?" Jason asked.
Jaime seemed to orient herself to the surroundings. "How did I get to my room?"
Jason studied his friend, evaluating whether a doctor needed to be called. "You fainted."
Jaime sat up and ran her hand through her hair. "Is he gone?" she asked suddenly.
Jason assumed she was referring to her father. He nodded. "Yes. I heard the door close on my way up." Jason paused, weighing whether she was emotionally up to speaking about Rosco. "Jaime?"
Her brown eyes met his. "Yeah?"
"I think we need to talk about it."
Jaime averted her eyes and began climbing out of bed. "Where's Elizabeth? Did you guys have a nice ride?"
Jason grabbed her arm. He wouldn't let her change the subject so fast. "We're going to talk about this you know that?"
Jaime nodded and looked at Jason's hand. He let her go. They'd talk later in the evening, like they always did. "And I think maybe you should see a doctor."
The suggestion stopped Jaime in her tracks. "Are you joking?" Jaime cried. "There's no way I'm seeing a doctor. I'm fine!"
Jason sighed. "Your fainting in my arms tells me something different," Jason retorted.
Her dark eyes glared at him in defiance. "I'm just a little light-headed. I'm probably dehydrated from being out in the sun too long," Jaime replied dismissively.
"Or it could be from not eating signorina," Donnie's voice chided.
The older Italian man had managed to evade Jason's radar, coming in unnoticed.
"Donnie don't worry so much," Jaime chuckled as she ran a brush through her hair. "I'll be fine in a couple of days."
Donnie threw a look towards Jason. They both knew it would take more than a few days to sort through the mess Rosco had put her through. Apparently Jaime caught the worried glances and was amused. "I promise," Jaime swore, putting her arm around both Jason and Donnie, "I'll be fine!"
***
Jaime prayed the words would be true. That she wouldn't make a liar out of herself.
Elizabeth hopped into the room looking questioningly at the huddle. "What's going on? Shouldn't you be in bed?" Elizabeth asked.
Jaime shook her head as she looked around at the concern pouring out from each one of her friends she sighed inwardly. They really care about me. The thought made her finally feel something other than confusion, fear, or anger. It was a welcomed thought.
Jaime smiled. "I'm kind of hungry. Is anyone up for supper?" she asked.
The mention of food and hunger finally seemed to put a slight dent in the protective wall they were building around her.
"Yeah!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I'm kind of hungry from the ride. Jason?"
The blond hair, blue-eyed friend gave Jaime a squeeze. "Sure. Besides, you'll need it for tonight."
Jaime cringed inwardly at the thought. "Yeah," Jaime laughed half-heartedly. "Can't wait."
Elizabeth looked at both of them quizzically and then proceeded downstairs. Jaime followed behind Jason and Donnie.
Oh God, give me the strength to get through this all. Please.
***
Elizabeth felt distracted throughout the supper. Jason's comment caught her off guard. Though she quickly realized that the two friends would be sparring, Elizabeth couldn't get rid of this empty feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Aren't you hungry?" Jaime asked, pointing her fork at Elizabeth's untouched plate.
Elizabeth smiled and stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork. "Sure am!" Elizabeth lied as she nabbed the freshly cooked piece of meat with her teeth.
Jaime looked at her and smirked. Elizabeth frowned. Why would she smirk like that?
Jason' leaned over and said something, though Elizabeth didn't quite catch it. Jaime rolled her eyes and hit him. "Get out of here!" Jaime squealed.
Jason locked eyes with Elizabeth. She couldn't read his face, but even though he seemed so close, Elizabeth couldn't have felt further away.
"Hey, Elizabeth?" Jaime's voice snapped Elizabeth out of her thoughts. "Did I see a garment bag in your room?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. It was a present from a friend."
Her eyes peered over the table of Jason who met her gaze once more.
"What is it for?"
Elizabeth weighed her answer. Jaime seemed so much livelier than she'd been in days. Elizabeth didn't want to ruin it. "It was for an invitation to dinner."
Jaime raised her eyebrows. "Wow must have been some dinner to need a fancy dress."
"Actually," Elizabeth lit up. "It was in honor of royalty. You won't guess who!" Elizabeth laughed.
This seemed to intrigue Jaime. "Who?"
Elizabeth dabbed her lips with a napkin and smiled. "Nikolas and Gia!" she exclaimed.
"You're kidding me?"
"Nope. They're in Italy."
"Well how come you didn't invite them to vis…it? Jaime's voice trailed off and silence filled the small dining room.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up," Elizabeth apologized.
Jaime set her napkin on the table and excused herself. "I think I'll read in my room for a bit before our 'date' tonight," Jaime explained to Jason. He nodded.
As Elizabeth waited for the maid to clear the dishes, she sighed. Why did she always put her foot in her mouth?
The table had been cleared and only Jason and Elizabeth remained.
"I'm sorry Jason," Elizabeth moaned. "I should have changed the subject."
Jason shook his head. "Why?" he asked.
"Because it brought up the kidnapping!"
Jason sighed this time. "Elizabeth, Jaime's a strong woman. She can handle it. She has to."
Elizabeth rose from her chair and walked over to the window behind Jason. "But I don't have to be the one to push her. I don't have to make her face it until she's ready."
She felt him behind her. "That's something she'll never be ready for. No one's ready to face a horrible experience like that. But if she's got friends how love her and support her, Jaime will try. We'll make her ready," he whispered, placing a butterfly kiss on the crown of her head.
Elizabeth imagined Jason's arms enfolding her body within his embrace, but all she could feel were her own hands around her. She turned around and opened her mouth to say something to Jason, but he had walked into the other room to make a call.
Yeah. Sometimes we need people, friends to make us ready to face something.