Lies 37

Seth tapped on the door to room 301. Receiving no response, he carefully stuck his head in. The bed was empty – except for Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle, both lying with their heads on the pillow, covered by the blanket. Moving further into the room, he let the door sigh shut behind him as he looked around for Summer. He found her suitcase opened and heard running water in the bathroom. He couldn't tell if she had taken clothing in with her, or just her toothbrush and shampoo, so he stood there, unsure of his next move. He couldn't load her suitcase if she didn't have clothes out of it already. Shrugging, he turned to the bed and gave Captain Oats the thumbs up. "Nice job, Buddy. I always knew you were a stud."

Deciding it would be easiest just to ask her, he tapped on the bathroom door. It opened instantly. She stood there, wet, clutching a towel to her naked chest with one hand as she tried to get a comb through her soaked hair with the other. Her hair was covering her eyes, and she didn't even turn to look at him.

"Would you mind helping me? I barely managed the shower, and I'm really starting to feel that shot you gave me." She giggled. "Everything is beauuuuutiful with the shot. Soooo yummy, the hot water."

Seth leaned casually against the doorjamb; glad to see her happy even if it was only due to medication. Noticing fresh new bruises competing with older, fading ones on her body made him sad and pissed off all over again.

"Jenny? Can you help me?"

Finally remembering he wasn't allowed to stare at her mostly naked form since they were no longer together made him even sadder. He grabbed the door and pushed it mostly closed, turning his back. "Um, Summer? It's Seth."

"Cohen!" She slammed the door shut the rest of the way. "I thought you were the nurse! Go away. I don't want to fight anymore."

"I'm not here to fight. I need to know if you have clothes to wear in there. I'm going to load up your stuff."

"Why?"

"You're going home." Apparently he'd been the first to know.

The door opened slowly. "You don't want to fight?" She looked at him suspiciously, her eyes a little glazed.

He shook his head. "Nope. I'm just going to take you home."

"I HATE fighting with you. It makes me feel so…ucky inside, you know? UCKY! I really get to go home?"

He nodded, trying not to look anywhere but her face as she absently let the towel drop to the floor.

"YAY! I'm so sick of this place, all bland and white and sterile and my God, those sheets! What – do they really MAKE sheets with a 10 thread count? Getting into bed is like sliding onto a huge fingernail file! FORGET about rolling over! I'd have no boobs at all! Shouldn't that be considered a form of torture, maybe?"

"Uh, Summer, do you have any clothes in there to wear?" He turned his head, biting his lip.

"Huh uh. I know! Let's go shopping for some! That'd be fun!"

"No. No shopping right now. We have stuff out here, remember?" He went to the suitcase with her following after him happily. He held up a shirt. "This ok?" Jeans. "How about these?" After she'd nodded to both, he grabbed some panties and held them out to her, looking away.

"But they don't maaaaatch! I can't wear those!"

Without looking, he knew she had her bottom lip stuck out like a little kid's. He sighed and grabbed another pair. "These are perfect. Put them on."

"Hey! They ARE perfect!" She took them and bent to step into them, almost losing her balance in the process. "Whoo -ooops! I can't do this. Stuff hurts when I bend over. Stupid stuff, hurting like that."

Seth knelt with his back to her. "Grab my shoulder and steady yourself." He felt her hand on his back and in a minute she was done. He handed her the jeans over his shoulder and waited until she had them on. Her shirt came next, then he heard her gasp in pain behind him. "Are you ok? What happened?"

She draped herself across his back, arms around his neck from behind, her mouth beside his ear. "My big, sweet Sethy-bear. You're so good to me, even after I'm mean to you." She kissed him on the cheek. "It hurts when I lift my arms so I guess I'm just gonna have to go shirt free. It's such a shame, cuz I really like that one you picked out."

"Summer, as much as the world would enjoy the sight of you wandering around without a top on, that's not gonna happen. Not on my watch, anyway." He untangled himself from her and stood up, grabbing the top. "We'll just find one that buttons."

"Noooo! I want thaaaat one! It's my favorite!" She wailed.

He sighed again. "Of course you do. And of course it is." He pulled it over her head, then stretched one side so she could get an arm in the hole. When that was accomplished, they did the other side. She patted the wrinkles out of it, and tried to put it back in shape.

"Do I look ok? I feel reeeally good, but I'm not sure if I look ok." She stared at herself in the mirror critically, reaching up to touch her battered face, her expression turning sad. "Who am I kidding? I'm ultra heinous. People are gonna stare at me and make fun of me and little kids will scream and run away. I'm like – a monster." She turned to him, beginning to get upset. "What if it never goes away? What if I look like this forever? What will happen to me then? I'll be all alone and no will want me."

"Stop it, Summer. You know it's going to fade, just like it did before. You're not a monster in any way." After grabbing her comb from the bathroom, he stood behind her at the mirror.

"But what if it didn't go away? Would you still talk to me?" She was suddenly so serious, looking at his reflection gravely in the mirror.

"Yes, I'd always talk to you." He didn't understand where this was coming from, but he'd play along. He quickly combed out her hair and pulled it back into a low ponytail.

"Would you want to hang out with me? I'm pretty scary." She seemed almost frightened of his answer.

He realized what she was thinking in her Demerol-induced haze. "Summer, if you looked like this forever, I would still love you. I love you now, with bruises on your face and all over your body. You don't repulse me, and I still want you as much as I ever did. I would have zero problemo taking you to bed. Is that what you want to hear? Oh Hey. I'm sensing déjà vu. Haven't we discussed this before? Like 10 times?"

She nodded slowly. "That doesn't mean I believed you before."

He stared at her, hurt, then realized it didn't matter much since she wouldn't remember this conversation later anyway. He certainly would, though.

"Look, as much as I'd like to prove it to you, it's really a moot point since you broke up with me. You don't want me around anyway, so why does it matter? I'll take you home and then I'll stay away from you, like you told me to." He turned and walked to the bed, gathering up the two horses and dropping them in the suitcase. He cleaned all her things out of the bathroom and looked around, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything before he closed the bag. "Here's your shoes." He pretended like he didn't see her trembling lower lip and miserable expression. "I'm going to take your stuff down to the truck. Dr. Mead should be in with the paperwork by the time I get back."

Seth had signed the paperwork, and gone down to get the truck while an aide brought Summer down to the exit in a wheelchair. They were waiting, talking animatedly as he pulled around to the door. He got out and joined them on the sidewalk. "You ready?"

Summer nodded and stood unsteadily. The aide quickly grabbed her elbow. "Thanks, Alice. And good luck with your man; I hope things work out." She looked over at Seth. "Hey! I know! Maybe you should have him talk to Seth. He was the best boyfriend EVER; maybe he could give Jeff some pointers!" She giggled. "What do you think?"

Alice laughed. "If he pulls any more crazy stuff I will definitely be dialing your number and having you set it up." She shook her finger at the girl. "I don't want to see you in here again, Miss Summer, unless it's for a visit. Do you hear me?"

Summer saluted. "Heard and understood, ma'am. I will not return in an ambulance ever again, so help me God." She erupted into fit of giggles again. "Oh, wait. That's the hand on the bible thingy, isn't it? Got a bible?"

"I'll take your word for it." Alice hugged her. "All right then. Take care, honey. Come back and visit us." She looked at Seth. "You're up, Best Boyfriend. Take care of my friend here, ok?"

"I do my best." He waved to her, then opened the passenger door and took Summer by the arm. "Time to load. Can you reach it?"

She snorted. "The seat's taller than my head."

"There's a step right here."

"Which is so tall I'll have to high kick like a freakin' Rockette to get to it. You're gonna have to help me. I hurt, remember?"

"I'd truly be shocked if you felt anything right now, but whatever." He bent and clasped his hands together, making a step for her.

"Christ, Cohen, just pick me up! I promise not to bite or drool on your shirt. Jeez!"

"You used to be sweet and funny when you're playing junkie. What happened? Where'd the sweet and funny go?" He picked her up.

"You bring out the very worst in me, I guess." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "But thank you for taking me home."

"You're welcome." He tried to put her in the seat but she wouldn't let go. "Uh, Summer? I can't drive from out here."

Her voice was very quiet. "I know, but this feels nice. People touching me has been really scary since I got to the hospital, so just let me do this for a minute, ok? Please?"

Seth felt terrible for her. "It scares you when anybody touches you now?" He positioned her on the floor of the truck, so he didn't have to support her weight, but could still hold her.

She nodded against his shoulder.

"That must suck. Just, just let me know if you feel uncomfortable, or if I remind you of, uh, him, and I'll let go right away, ok?"

"'Kay." She tightened her arms around his neck.

They'd been like that for a minute or two when she began laughing.

"What?"

"I just have this feeling if we turned around, there'd be a whole crowd of hospital employees looking out the door, wondering what the hell we're doing."

"Or maybe starting another betting pool. You want to look?"

"Nope. I don't care. Let's just go. Home, James!"

"You know, uh, my name is Seth, right? Not James. Or Orlando." He was only half joking.

"Seth who? … From now on, while driving me around, you shall be known as James. James, the chauffeur."

"Sure thing, Miss Daisy."

He maneuvered her into the seat and went around to his side. She was checking out the inside of the H2 with awe.

"I don't remember it being this big before! It's like…"

"An apartment Ryan's family once lived in." He started it up and took off.

"That is just so sad … or was that a joke?"

Seth shook his head.

"Poor Ryan. He's had a really sucky life, hasn't he?"

"Pretty much."

"Remind me to hug him when I see him again. I'm feeling lots of new bonds with him …… OhMyGod! I forgot to tell you. I LOVE love LOVE my little baby car so much. It's the perfect "me" vehicle and if it were a man I'd marry it. Tomorrow. "Summer Porsche". Or would it be 'Summer Boxster'? Anyway, how did you know I'd like it?"

"You are the classy, low-to-the-ground, sleek equivalent. It defines you. I hate to say 'I told you so", but – That's totally a lie. I'm gonna love this! Ha, ha, told you so!" He smiled smugly while pointing at her, happy that she'd liked it.

"Jerk. Hey! Let's go get it! I want to take it for a ride! Please? That would be soooo awesome!"

"Slow down, there, Dale, Jr.. You are under the influence, not allowed to drive, and are under orders to go straight home to bed. End of story."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"THAT'S something else I like about you. You're so mature." He smiled in spite of himself.

"Shut up, Cohen. Your next birthday will be your 13th, right? How's it feel to be hangin' out with an older woman? Ew! Ick! I just had a mental picture of Luke and Mrs. Coop." She was suddenly interested in the rows of buttons on the dash. "What's this do? And that one?" She kept punching buttons until he had to slap her hand away.

"Stop! You're going so fast you can't appreciate the wondrous phenomenon that is the Hummer!"

She sat back, arms crossed and lip stuck out.

He pulled into the closest lot and parked. "Suck in your lip and pay attention. This one? Is the CD player, and thank you very much for the CD collection, by the way. Very cool and, and extremely thoughtful. This one? Look behind you."

She turned slowly, finally hanging over the back of the seat, and Seth pushed the buttons. The back seats folded down and the tiny lights twinkled on the insides of the truck. He made the moon roof slide back.

"Oooooh. Look! It's so cool! It's kinda like……" She turned to him, glassy eyes wide; mouth open. Her voice dropped to an awed whisper. "It's the 'Bat Cave'."

He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. She was so serious he was afraid he'd hurt her feelings. "Why yes. Yes it is. And you're the only person that knows. The mobile Bat Cave. Because nobody can really have their own cave anymore. They're all protected under this law or that ordinance. And just think of the damp and musty smell."

She sucked in a breath. "Ohmygosh. I won't tell anyone. I swear."

"Good…You want some music?"

She shook her head.

He pulled out of the lot just as she found the switches that control the windows. Soon she had all four side windows going up and down - simultaneously, one at a time, two at a time, one-by-one in order around the truck; completely fascinated and giggling hysterically. Laughing with her, and of course AT her, Seth wished fervently that he had a video cam to record her antics. What a good time THAT would be to play it for her later, when the drugs wore off. Later, when she didn't want him around again. He'd been having such a good time with her he'd almost forgotten their "new" relationship. He decided right then that he wasn't going to let her have her way on this one. Yeah, his pride was hurt that she'd even mentioned breaking up, and his heart a little bruised, but after really thinking about it and trying to imagine himself in something similar to her position, with all that she'd been through; he had no idea how he would react. Maybe just like her. For all he knew banishing loved ones from your life after an attack like that was normal. But she was gonna have to get over it. He refused to let her go.

She'd stopped playing with the windows and was looking at him curiously. "Hey! You look funny. What's up?"

He shook his head. "You want to see something else really cool?"

"Yes! Show me, show me, show me!"

He pointed at the dash. "Press that button."

She did and looked at him expectantly. The DVD player flickered to life above her and she turned to watch it, entranced. "Oooh! DVD…Total. Coolness. What is it?"

"Return of the King". You can watch it, or, I got you something else earlier today. It was for when you get home, but we can put it in now if you want."

"Wait! Wait! How do I stop it?"

He pulled up the console and handed her a remote.

She clicked the movie off. "You got me a present? I love presents!" She clapped her hands in excitement.

He reached under his seat and handed her a bag.

She ripped it open, paper flying all around her. "Cohen! You got me the second season of "The Valley"!"

"You don't have it yet, do you?"

"No!" She gave him a long look. "You're so sweet. Thank you."

"No problem. Wanna put it in?"

"No, I'm gonna save it for home."

"Good idea, since we're almost there." A few minutes later they pulled into the driveway. He hopped out and went to her side, opening the door. Getting her out was much easier than putting her in the truck, and he grabbed the suitcase and her arm.

"Welcome to "Casa Cohen". Let me show you to your room, senorita." At the bottom of the stairs to the second floor he stopped. "Are you gonna be able to do this? Maybe we could see if Ryan would switch and you take the pool house."

"No. Absolutely not. He's got a broken ankle. I'll just need a little help for a while." She yawned. "I'm getting so sleepy."

"Ok, then. Up we go." Once he'd helped her struggle to the second floor, he opened the door directly across from his own. After setting her suitcase down, he crossed the room and opened the curtains. "Here we are. Summer's place."

The huge room had been decorated in cream and soft green colors. Besides the bed, there was a small reading area with a sofa and coffee table in one corner. A stereo, TV and DVD player were hiding behind the doors of an armoire, and a huge walk-in closet could be seen through a slightly opened door.

Summer sat gingerly on the bed, still clutching her new DVD.

"You like it?" She nodded, but he could tell she was troubled. "What's wrong?" He sat beside her.

"It's beautiful, Seth. It just… it just feels like I don't have a home. I was happy there in our guest suite, but I don't know if I can ever go back there."

"Hey, you don't need to worry about that right now. Our Casa e su Casa, as far as any of us are concerned. It'll just take a little while to get used to it. Until then, you can pretend like you're on vacation in a strange hotel."

She half-smiled. "Ok. I'll try that."

"Good. Now. What do you need?"

"I just want to lie down. The stairs sucked all the fun out of my buzz so now I'm just tired and sore."

He put her suitcase on the coffee table and opened it, throwing her pajamas to her. Grabbing her DVD, he slid the first disc into the player, and made sure everything was working. He turned to give her the remote and found her struggling to pull her shirt off. She'd managed to shuck her jeans and kick them off, so she was wearing only panties and her top was no longer covering her stomach. He saw fresh dark marks on her hip-bones and what he swore was a partial handprint bruised into her inner thigh. She caught him looking her over and froze.

Determined not to dwell on the evidence of her attack, and equally determined not to upset her, he forced his gaze slowly up the rest of her body to her face. "I'm sorry. You're so beautiful, I couldn't help but look." He smiled, speaking softly. "Can I help you get that off?"

She visibly relaxed, and nodded, never taking her eyes off of him.

As he crossed the room to her, he found himself truly NOT able to help looking her over again. This time he saw no bruises; just tanned, toned legs; slim hips, a flat belly and tiny waist. He reached her and slowly moved his hands to her waist, fingers holding the shirt and sliding ever so lightly up her sides. Their eyes still locked, she shivered a little at his touch and he instantly stopped. She smiled a little and placed her hand on one of his, caressing it. He stretched the side of her shirt until she could pull her arm out, and then did the other side. After pulling it off over her head, he dropped it and took a step closer to her. He ran his hands slowly up and down her arms, then pulled her gently into a hug, being careful not to hold her too tightly. He felt her arms slide around his back and her head resting on his chest and the pain that had been digging away at his insides lessened a little. It felt good to finally be able to give and take comfort from each other after the long separation since her attack. "Hey. I – uh - I was an ass earlier at the hospital. I made everything about me and right now the only thing that matters is you, after the nightmare you've been through."

She looked up at him. "I didn't mean to make you so mad, I just feel like I need to … protect you, until I stop acting like I did around you today. All jumpy … and pushy and bitchy. I'm weird, and it worries me."

"Summer, you're not weird. I'm guessing that jumpy, bitchy, and pushing people away are just part of the aftermath of your attack. Just remember that you're safe now, and the whole family is here for you." He kissed the top of her head. "I talked to Dr. Mead today. She told me your reaction to our hug was a reflex from your body that you didn't even plan. After a trauma, if your subconscious feels like you're at risk of being hurt again, it triggers your defense mechanism. You have no control over it."

"Really? How bizarre." She looked down at herself. "Hey! Subconscious! I'M in control. ME. Up here! Not you!" She narrowed her eyes and looked up at him. "You talked to Dr. Mead about us?"

"Well, yeah. I'm not giving up on you just because you told me to. I really love you, dumbass."

She giggled and rolled her eyes, her tone sarcastic. "Nice, Cohen. Give me the warm fuzzies, why don't you?" Laughing, she continued "You call me a dumbass and all I want to do is hug you tighter. What's wrong with me? I really AM weird."

"Would it help if I told you that it always warms my heart when you call me an ass-face? They're just our versions of 'pet names', I guess."

"We definitely need therapy, Cohen."

"Speak for yourself, crazy lady. When's your appointment anyway?"

"Not until 4:00." She yawned.

"Into the bed with you, then, my sanity-impaired friend. You've got time for a long nap." He pulled down the covers for her. "You want your jammies?"

She shook her head. "Cohen? It's too early for the nut-job jokes. Give me at least two days, ok? Then you can make fun of me all you want."

"Got it. Sometimes I'm over-eager, and my usual tact and discretion leave me."

"Tact? Uh huh. Whatever." She ran her hand across the sheet. "Ahhhh. Now, these? THESE are real sheets …Are you gonna take a nap too?"

"I was up all night and that sounds so good, buuut, I have some homework to do, so no." He helped her into bed and pulled the covers up over her. "The remote works for the stereo too, if you like to fall asleep to music. Sleep well."

She suddenly sat up as he turned to leave. "Where are you going?" She sounded a little panicked.

"Right across the hall to my room. I'll be able to hear you if you need something."

She relaxed and laid back on the pillows. "Ok." Looking uncomfortable, she cleared her throat. "Um, Seth? I'm still not sure, uh, if it's a good idea for us – to be us. I need to be on my own with this. For a while. But thank you for wanting to help. It means alot."

Seth couldn't see the point in arguing and upsetting her again. He sat on the side of her bed. "I told you just a minute ago I'm not giving up on you, and I meant it. But if you feel like you need to be on your own, then I'll respect that. What I want … is for you to feel comfortable and be able to deal with this. I just want you to be ok again."

"Thank you." Searching his eyes, she slid her hand on top of his. "Be my friend, still? Or am I being selfish by asking? I'll understand if you don't –"

"I'll be whatever you want, Summer. Pen pal, stylist, personal chauffeur, I don't care. Just don't shut me out of your life while you recover from this."

She squeezed his hand. "I won't."

"Then I'm your best friend, starting now. And I should get to my homework. Get some rest, ok?"

She nodded.

He left quietly. In his room, he sat at the computer and began searching for information on victims of violent crimes.