Chapter 5

Part one

« Hello » Skye said.

I watched him shift nervously to his other foot. I was impressed. Despite his sense of unease, he walked right up to be, looked into my eyes and replied, "Good afternoon my lady. I trust you have slept well."

"Quite well, thank you very much for asking." What surprised me the most was that I meant it. This drugged out sleep is very possibly the best night sleep that I have had since my husband came home, cancelled our honeymoon and started lying to my face less than 24 hours into our marriage.

He lightly skimmed his finger over the bruise on the side of my face. "Sorry."

"I believe that you already apologised last night. Something about never seeing me again?" I said lightly. "However I do believe that you have forgotten to tell me your name. An introduction perhaps is in order."

"As you wish my Lady." He bent over gallantly and kissed the back of my hand. "My name is Sam Gemins. It is so good to see you again. Especially since we are such old and dear friends."

"Are we?"

"Apparently so, you invited me to stay at the lake house with you while I am in town on business" Sam said good-naturedly.

I raised one eyebrow and replied with a smile, "Oh, I did?"

"And we were suppose to have dinner last night, only when I arrived at Club Quiete I was quite surprised and upset to find that you had left with some other man."

I sighed. "Shame on me. I should have better manners than that. Well, I suppose now that I am awake I will have to face all the questionings. I am somewhat surprised to find you in my room. Last time I checked they had some silly rule about family. So how did you talk my family into being in the room with me?

"Actually I didn't bother. I just snuck in."

I laughed. "Oh, that I can believe." There was something in his voice though. I studied him for a moment. "They aren't out there, are they."

"Who aren't," Sam said innocently.

"My so-called family, they aren't waiting to see me are they." It was more of a statement than a question. I could see the answer in his eyes. "Not even AJ?" I felt like someone had thrust in a knife and twisted it. "I don't think that he knows yet. I'm sure when he does that he will come to see you." Sam answered quickly.

"Yes, he probably hasn't been told." My damn family probably wouldn't have bothered. It isn't like I expected them to all show up with some sudden flood of love and concern for my well being, but I thought that maybe my father, Alan, would be here. My adoptive father, Adam Chandler, never came when there was a problem growing up. I don't know why I believed that Alan would be any different. Damn it, and damn him. When am I going to learn? The only person I can truly rely on in the end is myself. Didn't my latest husband just get done proving that point to me when he walked out the door. When am I ever going to learn to stop expecting people to care about me.

"I'm sure your father will be down as soon as the nurse calls and tells him that you woke up." Sam insisted.

"I don't want to see them." I winced at the sound of my voice. It was much sharper than I intended.

Sam nodded. "I will see what I can do in order to get you released." Sam went out and called for the doctor. It wasn't long before he returned with a rather strange looking fellow wearing a doctor's coat.

"Hello, my name is Doctor Forman."

I thought, 'this guy is a doctor? Just wait, this guy is my doctor? Sam can't be serious. The guy's socks don't even match. What did he do, get dressed in the dark?'

"So Mrs. Jacks, would you like to discuss what happened," said the doctor.

I threw Sam a look that screamed you have to be kidding. Sam just shrugged his shoulders. I desperately thought of anything so I wouldn't have to talk to this guy. "Uh, No offence but, I think that I would prefer to discuss that with my regular doctor. I assume that you will forward a copy of my medical charts to her. I emphasised the 'her' hoping that he would believe that I felt uncomfortable talking to a man about what happened.

"Of course," Doctor Forman replied. "How are you feeling?"

"A bit sore and I have a headache."

The doctor nodded as if that was what he was expecting.

Sam spoke up, "Doctor, is that IV really necessary?"

"Now that she is awake, I see no reason why we can't remove it." He left for a moment and returned with a nurse who began to remove the IV.

"Is there anything wrong with Skye?" asked Sam.

"Physically, she is going to be fine." Doctor Forman replied.

"Are there any test or information that needs to be filled out?"

"No, we took all the tests we needed and documented everything when she was first brought in." the doctor replied.

The nurse finished removing the IV and left the room. It was beginning to annoy me that these two were talking about me as if I wasn't right here listening.

Then my father walked in. "Hello Skye. How are you feeling? I came as soon as the nurse called to tell me that you were awake." Before I could answer, Dad noticed Sam. "Who are you?"

"My name is Sam Gemins. I am a good friend of your daughter."

Doctor Forman added, "Mr. Quartermaine, Mr Gemins has been here all morning waiting for Mrs. Jacks to wake up."

The surprised look on my father's face annoyed the hell out of me. What? Is it so impossible to believe that someone in this world give a damn about me?

"I was just asking Doctor Forman when Skye could be released." Sam stated.

"Well I'm sure there are test results and such for my daughter that we are waiting for. I appreciate that you came by." Alan said.

Oh great. Now my father is practically telling the only person to come to the hospital to see me to leave. The way these three keep talking about be as if I wasn't here is beginning to get on my nerves.

"Actually I was hoping to take her home right away." Sam said.

The doctor interrupted, "No, I am sure that this is to soon. She has experienced something traumatic and she still hasn't talked about it. I am going to call a councillor down since she doesn't want to talk to me."

"What happened to my daughter?"

I noted my father's reaction as Doctor Forman stated the word 'traumatic.' My God. He hasn't even taken the time to find out why I was brought into the hospital, his hospital. He's the bloody administrator here. If he really wanted to know, getting that information would have been a phone call away. I have had enough!

"What Happened?" my voice was somewhat hysterical and Sam was looking very worried about what would come out of my mouth. Good. He should be for ignoring me. I turned back to my father. "You really want to know what happened?" At this point I had everyone's attention. "Last night I had sex with a man whom if circumstances had been normal, I never would have let near me much less touch me. "What happened?" Now I was screaming at them. "I woke up less than an hour ago and the only person here who apparently gives a damn is my OLD and DEAR friend Sam. HOW DO I FEEL? I feel sick to me stomach. I'm sore. I have bruises all over my body and I want a shower to wash that bastard's scent and touch off of me." I pointed to the doctor. "He says that physically I am going to be find and that he has all the documentation and has run all the test that he needs. So, I want everyone to get out so I can get dressed. Then I am signing MYSELF out of the hospital and SAM will drive me home. When I get home I am going to have a nice relaxing bath, then sit in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate while enjoying my friend Sam's company."

Everyone just stood there gapping at me. "What the hell are you all waiting for! GET OUT!" They still weren't moving. "NOW!"

That seemed to motivate them. They shuffled out of the room grumbling amongst themselves all the way.

Now that they were gone I picked up the phone to call a rather exclusive clothing store that I have an account with. The one problem with this entire mess that everyone else seems to have forgotten is that I was brought in with no clothes. With my luck, what I was wearing last night is still laying on the floor of a certain crime scene. I ordered the clothes and promised a huge tip if they delivered them within the next half hour. Oh well, those three will probably be to busy talking about me to notice how much time passed by anyways.

"$30 dollars" Sam glared at me while pulling out of the parking lot. "I'm glad you find this so amusing. Skye, I can't believe that you promised that kid $30 to bring you some clothes."

I was doing my best not to laugh. "Sam, It could have been worse. I could have made you pay the bill for the clothing too."

"For $30 I could have boughten you an outfit."

"For $30 you couldn't have paid for these shoes." I looked Sam up and down. "For $30 you couldn't have boughten anything you have on either."

"I wouldn't know."

"Are you tell me that you didn't look at the price tag before you bought that outfit."

"I didn't buy them." Sam replied.

"You must introduce me to your personal shopper. He or she has excellent taste."

"The clothes, the shoes it all comes with the ID Skye." Sam grumbled.

"That is agency issued!" I looked at him and started laughing which only seemed to irritate Sam more. "I'm sorry. I just have this image in my head of an agency clerk issuing out Armani suits like they were army combat uniforms."

That image seemed to do the trick. I could see Sam fighting not to smile. "In a way your right. Frisco hands me my new identity. I take that profile to outfitting and they give me everything that someone with that background would have while I memorize my new past. I will admit, this is the first time that a manicure was considered to be part of the uniform."

"Sam, you wear it well. So what did you talk about with my father and the doctor in the hallway?"

"You"

"Sam come on. You were doing that anyway in the room with me. I want specifics."

"Well the doctor spent some time stating his concerns or you going home. So on doctors orders, you are going to do nothing for the next couple of days."

"Sounds boring."

"What are the chances that I can get you to follow your doctors advise?" Sam looked at me for a second. "I see that I am going to have to be fairly persuasive."

I decided to change the subject. "What did my father have to say?"

"Well, he was full of questions. For example, did you know that we met in college?"

"I don't recall you being in any of my classes."

"We met at a soccer match."

"Did I do anything that my father is going to bring up?"

"Not really, you just impressed the hell out of me with your looks, intelligence, charm and wit."

"Are you sure you didn't go running in the opposite direction?"

"Nope. From the first moment that I met you, I knew we were going to be great friends."

"Hmmm, I don't recall you being in any of my class photos or year books."

"Do you have those yearbooks?"

"Sure, they are packed away with some old photo albums."

"Do you mind if I borrow them for a couple of days."

I looked at him curiously. "I guess so. Why? What are you up to?"

"Photographic evidence."

"What?"

"I am already listed as being enrolled at the same time you were, in case anyone checks. If I could borrow the yearbooks and the photo albums, I could come up with some photographic history for us."

My disbelief must have shown on my face. "Skye, it really isn't all that difficult. If anything, creating new photos has gotten much easier over the years."

"Sam, if you are going to create photo memories of things that never happened, then you and I need to sit down and get our stories straight. It sounds to me like you plan on being around for a few days."

"Skye, I promise, before I let anyone see any pictures of us, I will sit down with you and discuss when each of the pictures could have happened. I don't think either one of us could live with the discrepancies."

I felt the car come to a stop and froze. "Well here we are. Home sweet home."

"Skye, are you okay?"

I just sat there frozen, looking at the house. I couldn't make myself move.

"Skye?"

I took a deep breath. Oh god. Was it really only yesterday. It seems like I have lived a lifetime since I was last here. So much has happened. Jax leaving me for that tramp, my alliance with Frisco, Alcazar's death, and it all happened in less than twenty-four hours. How could my life have turned so upside down in so little time?

"Skye?" Sam sounded worried.

"I'm okay. It's just that the last time I slept in this house, I still thought that I had everything I ever believed I ever wanted.

"You only thought you had it?"

I was still looking at the house, caught in the memories. "It was all based on lies."

"Because you lied to him?"

"No, because he lied to me." I had only whispered the words but Sam still heard them.

I could see Sam was confused, but I really didn't feel like explaining it to him. Instead I walked to the door and let myself in. Sam followed.

"I put my things in your spare bedroom. I hope you don't mind."

"No, it's okay. I kind of like the idea of having you here. It will help keep my mind off of other things."

"Why don't you go take that bath you were talking about, change, and then come back here. I will start a nice fire, pull up a couple of chairs, drink some hot chocolate, and get to know each other."

I sighed, "Just what I always wanted. A man who actually listens when I say what I want."

"Well, lucky for you, I happen to make an excellent cup of hot chocolate. Now go on. Get cleaned up and change into something made for relaxing. My lady, the only thing you are going to do for the rest of the day is lounge around and be lazy."

"With you waiting on me hand and foot. How did I ever get so lucky?" I walked through my room to the bathroom and shut the door. So many memories. Why does it have to hurt so much? I started to fill up the bathtub, and slipped in and closed my eyes.

I could hear the water running in the bathtub. Good. Maybe a nice relaxing bath will help Skye. I looked around the room. I didn't have to ask why she would need me around as a distraction. There are little pieces of her husband's life scattered all over this place. Pictures, mementos, some clothing. Maybe after I get her settled I will find a box and help her go through everything. It can't be easy living in a place that is filled with mementos of their life together, no matter how short that time was.

I started the fire. I can't even imagine what she is going through. I know damn well that the only reason she helped us yesterday was because her husband was busy screwing another woman. It seems wrong somehow that we took advantage of that pain. I can't even begin to imagine what I would do if I found out my spouse had cheated on me or left me for someone else. Life in the WSB is hard on relationships. I have seen so many break up over the continued strain of having to live apart for extended periods of time. The only reason mine has endured for as long as it has is because I married another agent. If I ever found out that Tory screwed me over the way this Jax fellow has screwed over Skye, I would probably fall apart.

I went to the kitchen and started to warm some milk for the hot chocolate. It doesn't seem fair. I have read her files. The lady has had an extremely hard life. I wouldn't wish the abuse that was dumped on her shoulders on anyone. Yet she hasn't broken. She is a lot stronger than I would have been in her shoes.

I walked to her bedroom door to ask if Skye was dressed. I stopped and listened to the faint muffled cry coming through the door. Should I go in or let her make it through this on her own. The lady has a lot of pride. She wouldn't appreciate being caught crying. But on the other hand, everyone needs someone to lean on. I walked in the room. Skye was curled up in her robe on the floor by her closet. I walked over, sat down beside her, picked her up and put her on my lap. "What's wrong?" I whispered.

"I can't" Skye sobbed in a broken cry.

"What can't you do?" I whispered softly.

Skye was silent for a moment. "I can't sleep on that bed tonight. I can't. I can't sleep there without him. I had to do it while he was in the hospital. I can't do it again"

I picked Skye up and carried her to a chair in front of the fireplace. I looked around and found a blanket, carried it over, and tucked her in. "If you don't want to sleep in that bed ever again, than you don't have to."

I picked up the phone and called Frisco.

"Frisco here."

"Frisco, don't panic, nothings wrong. It's Sam."

"You know Sam. I have heard more from you in the last day than I usually do over an entire month."

"You don't normally give me such nice cushy assignments. You normally send me into the middle of nowhere and forget about me for a couple of weeks."

"What do you need Sam?"

"I need someone find a furniture shop and bring over a new king sized bed with all the trimmings. You know blankets, pillows, and everything else that would appeal to my lady. And then I need Chris and a couple of other guys to move the old one."

"You don't like the bed in her guest room? And why do you need Chris."

"It isn't my bed that is being replaced. It's hers. I need Chris because we are going to burn the old one and anything else that belonged to her husband that the lady feels like getting rid of."

"What?"

"Trust me. It is necessary."