Magnetic Forces of Love and Conspiracy
Written by BansheeGirl
A/N: Hello, once again. Look, I'm getting good at updating regularly! Go me! Hope you enjoy this instalment, and do review once you're done!
Disclaimer: See chapter 1 or 2!
Magnetic Forces of Love and Conspiracy
Chapter 14: Which Way Home?
Over the next two days the atmosphere within the Fieldsville Lodging House continued to become rather tense. Sam and James barely spoke, and when they did it was only to carry on their fight as to whether they should continue hosting Jessie within the Lodging House walls. Problems between Oliva and James also continued, as Olivia began to notice how the only thing that seemed to remain on James' mind these days was Jessie. Jessie herself rested in bed for most of the time, but refused to see James at all. Mary tried to play peacekeeper with everyone (rather unrewardingly), and both Ian and Cate simply did their best to stay out of anyone's crossfire. Cate's children, David and Laura, seemed to think it was pretty exciting having an injured helicopter-crash victim in their midst, and had to be told countless times by various members of the Lodging House to stop spying on Jessie from her bedroom door.
It was during the evening three days after Jessie had been brought to the Lodging House that James sat in the living room on his chair by the fire trying to read a book. After reading over the same paragraph a total of seven times, he finally realised that his head was still full of too much mess to concentrate, and so put the book down. Looking around, all James' fellow permanent residents, aside from Mary and Cate's children, were also silently busying themselves in the living room. No one spoke, however, and James suddenly felt as though he were responsible for the uncomfortable air that had grown between his friends since Jessie's arrival.
James listened as the sound of footsteps made their way down the stairs outside the entrance to the living room, and looked to see that Mary had arrived to join the group. She wore a wearisome expression, and made her way toward the living room fire to sit down in an armchair opposite James.
"The girl finally asked if there were any other survivors from the helicopter crash," Mary said.
James was momentarily taken aback. Since his argument with Jessie two days previous, he had actually forgotten about the suspicious circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash. "What did you tell her…?"
"I told her everything – that there were no others found at the wreckage, that there were no parachutes left, and that the doors and rotors were locked. She's probably still in shock, but I think she wanted to be left alone. Poor thing…"
Sam made a loud scoffing noise at Mary's last comment. Despite the fact that his auburn-haired friend never lifted his gaze from the magazine he was reading, James shot a frustrated look to Sam anyway.
"What did she say, when you told her?" James asked, turning back to Mary.
"Not much. Only that there were three other people riding in that helicopter with her – the pilot, and a man and woman who were supposedly from some division of Paramount Corps. But she did make a comment that she had never actually seen them before…"
James frowned. He was beginning to share Jessie's frustration in being unable to contact anyone in Saunders City due to the damaged telephone lines. It seemed like no one would be getting any questions answered anytime soon. He sat in silence once again, staring into the flames beside him and mulling over how he was going to deal with a growing mound of problems.
"I need to get to get back to Saunders City," a voice suddenly sounded from the living room entrance.
Everone in the room peered up from what they were doing. There, standing in a nightdress at the entrance of the living room was a determined-looking Jessie.
Mary stood up. "Miss Avalon, you know that our helicopters are not operating at the moment. The telephone lines, too, have not been repaired. I'm afraid you'll have to wait."
"I can't wait!" Jessie cried, and James noticed that she was deliberately avoiding his gaze.
"And just what the hell do you expect us to do?" Sam spoke up. "Isn't it enough that we're giving you a bed to sleep in?"
Jessie looked to Sam, who thus far she had not met. She narrowed her eyes, but did not warrant him a response. Instead, she turned back to address Mary.
"I need to get back to Saunders City," Jessie repeated.
"I'm sorry, but it's just not possible to hasten the repair process-"
"-You don't understand!" Jessie interrupted, advancing further into the living room. "I have an entire company to run, and if what you say about the helicopter crash is true, then who knows what kind of havoc is being wreaked at Paramount Corps.!"
"So wait a minute," Sam interjected again, this time standing up from his chair and speaking far more forcefully. "You want us to help you back to Saunders City, so… what, exactly? So you can get back to your wonderful company and continue your plans to destroy this town? Oh gee, sure. We'll get on that straight away."
Jessie closed her eyes for a moment, opened them again and looked to Sam with a spiteful expression. "You're stupider than I anticipated if you think that the plans to demolish this town won't go ahead if I'm not there. So just keep your little mouth shut, okay, goatee-boy?"
Sam seemed incredulous at Jessie's audacity, but Mary spoke before he could respond.
"There really is nothing we can do, dear. I'm sorry," she said.
Jessie did not seem swayed by this. "You said to me when I first woke up that there's a path to Saunders City through the mountains. Is it usable yet?"
Mary looked taken aback. Indeed, everyone in the room seemed confused at Jessie's suggestion.
"Jessie, you can't be serious. You're still recovering from a helicopter crash. You're in no condition to trek through the mountains for three days," James stated, forcing Jessie to finally look at him.
"I'm fine," she said, glaring at James as though she dared him to speak again. She again turned back to Mary. "So I'm right to assume that the path through the mountains is now usable?"
"Well, yes," Mary answered, "but you really do need to get some more rest before you undertake anything so strenuous, Miss Avalon. Olivia?"
"She's right," Olivia instantly responded. "It would be best if you spent a few more days in bed – not trekking through the snow, Jessica."
"You said just this morning that I'm recovering excellently. And I feel perfectly fine," Jessie defended.
"You would never make it through the mountains on your own. If you've never walked the path before then it will be impossible for you to find your way," offered Ian.
"Then someone will just have to take me."
"Yeah, right. Good luck finding someone in this town who will take you to Saunders City," Sam spat.
Jessie looked scornfully at Sam, but the silence that fell upon the room seemed to indicate that he did indeed have somewhat of a point.
"I'll take you," James suddenly said.
It was almost as though James did not say anything; for a few good moments the living room remained dead-silent, aside from the crackling of the flames within the fireplace.
"What? James, you can't be serious," someone finally said, and surprisingly it was not Sam, but Olivia.
"I am serious," James confirmed. He looked to Jessie. Her nostrils were flaring widely, assumedly at the fact that the one person who she really did not want to spend three days alone with was the only person who was offering to take her to Saunders City.
After a long while of looking positively infuriated, Jessie appeared to have arrived at some sort of reasoning. "Fine then. We'll leave tomorrow morning," she said to James. "I'll trust you to take care of all the preparations before we leave. In the meantime… I'll be resting in bed."
And with that, Jessie turned on her heel and exited the living room to head upstairs. The Lodging House residents watched her leave in stunned silence.
"Just tell me," Sam began, "Did that really happen? Did that… woman… just come in here and order one of us to take her to Saunders City? And forgive me if I'm wrong, but did one of us actually agree to take her? Because I'm really having a hard time comprehending exactly why someone would do that." He glared menacingly at James, and at this moment no outsider would ever believe that these two men were actually best friends. Or perhaps used to be best friends.
James tore his eyes away from an enraged Sam to look around the room. Olivia had her arms crossed defensively, a hurt look displayed on her face. Ian and Cate both maintained questioning expressions, while Mary, on the other hand, looked as though she was beginning to understand the reasoning behind James' decision.
"Look," James started, "I know that Jessie's- uh, that is, Jessica Avalon's presence is a large burden here. If I take her to Saunders City… then perhaps we can all start acting civilised toward one another again. And plus… I know her. You may not be able to understand, but her and I have a pretty deep history. If I spend some time with her… help her… then maybe I can convince her to change her plans to destroy Fieldsville."
"That is the stupidest idea I've ever heard," Sam retorted. He got up and went to leave the room. "Whatever 'friend' she might have been before, sure doesn't exist anymore. All you're doing is speeding up Fieldsville's appointment with the undertaker. Thanks a lot, James," he added in a fierce tone, and then disappeared out of the living room.
Sam's attack on James suddenly seemed to be the signal for everyone to head to bed. Olivia hurried from the room without a word, while Cate sent James a sympathetic expression before too leaving.
"I hope you can convince her. If you really do think you can, then make sure you give it all you've got, son," Ian said in his gruff voice, briefly placing a hand on James' shoulder before he also left the room.
With Mary the only one left with James, he looked to her with eyes that asked whether he was doing the right thing.
"Don't worry, James. They'll see… you'll find a way." She smiled kindly at him and with those few simple words James felt a little bit more confident about his commitment.
"Now, come on…" Mary continued, "It looks like it's up to us to get everything ready for this hike."
Alright! Hopefully things are moving a bit faster now, and everyone's still enjoying the flow of the story. Tell me what you think! I'd really love to hear your comments on the storyline, characters and such.
Oh, and for anyone who reviewed last chapter... HUGS ALL AROUND!
Should have the next chapter out very soon. Keep your eyes peeled! Constant vigilance!
BansheeGirl.