CHAPTER 14

Aaron stood before the mirror in his and Jemma's bedroom trying to get his tie just right. Sighing in frustration he finally gave up the effort as he slipped the scrap of silk into his pocket;

"I'll get Jemma to do it when I get back to Lottie's."

Reminded of something his wife said not very long ago, Aaron laughed as he admitted aloud;

"She was right! I think my ability to tie my own tie disappeared about the time I put that ring on her finger."

Smiling broadly as the thought of his wife crossed his mind, Aaron hurried down the staircase and out the front door before acknowledging;

"I'd say that was more than a fair trade to have that lovely lady by my side for the rest of my life. I can live without a tie, but not without her."

Pleased with how things had turned out where Carlin Everston was concerned, Aaron's spirits lifted considerably, especially as he contemplated the idea of holding his wife in his arms as they enjoyed a few dances. Whistling a tune to himself, a sign of just how pleased and happy he was with the turn of events, Aaron sped up in anticipation of enjoying the evening with his wife. Entering Lottie's he was eagerly greeted by Kassandra and Ward as Kassandra gave him a big hug before gushing;

"Oh, Aaron, thank you so much for everything that you did to help me!"

Aaron patted her shoulders as she pulled away;

"You're more than welcome, Kassandra. To be honest, my main interest was in protecting my wife and family, but I couldn't leave it at that when I learned just how you were being manipulated too. I'm sorry, but your father is a man that had to be stopped, and not just with the fraud he was committing by stealing your money."

Straining his neck to search the crowd, Aaron searched eagerly until, having seen him as he walked in the door, Jason pressed a drink in his hand;

"If you're looking for your wife, Pixie is in the back parlor with your offspring."

Consulting his watch, Aaron frowned slightly;

"She said she was going to do that while I went home and changed. Has she been back there since I left?"

Hearing his question as she circulated among the guests with a tray full of drinks, Lottie stopped to venture;

"Well, I would assume so, Aaron. I mean, we haven't seen her come out since she went in there."

Concerned that there might be something wrong with one of their children, Aaron shoved his watch back in his pocket as he excused himself;

"I better go see what's keeping Jemma, she usually doesn't take this long to get the kids settled. She may need my help, especially if one of them isn't feeling well, and with Jacob and Amie cutting teeth that might be the case."

Hurrying to the back parlor door, Aaron entered and, after a quick glance, furrowed his brow in worry as he asked Molly and Christopher;

"Kids, where's your Aunt Jemma? I thought she was in here tending Alex and settling Jacob and Amie."

Motioning towards the playpen where Jacob was playing contentedly with his wooden blocks, Aaron noticed how Amie was somewhat pouting, a fact even more obvious as she rubbed at her eyes with her small fists before sniffling. Quickly, Aaron closed the distance in less than two or three strides to reach out and lift his daughter in his arms, worried over how sad she seemed. Softening his voice he coaxed;

"Can you tell Daddy what's the matter, Princess?"

Her eyes wide, Amie laid her head on her father's shoulder as she wrapped her small arms around his neck before trying to express herself;

"Bu ee, Da dee. Ont Bu ee. Ont Maw mee."

Noticing that, among the toys in the playpen, the small stuffed bunny rabbit that he had brought his daughter back from his business trip was nowhere to be found. Aaron quickly knew exactly what his daughter was saying. Turning to Molly, he demanded sharply;

"Molly, did Aunt Jemma leave out the backdoor?"

Nodding, Molly explained;

"Yes, Uncle Aaron. When she saw how upset Amie was, and when she told her the same thing she just told you, she said that Amie must have dropped it on her way here, so she went to try to find it. She said that she knew Amie would be upset until she had it so she was going to go back towards her house the same way she, Uncle Jason, and Aunt Julie came to get her."

Trying to remain calm, Aaron pushed the fear he felt back down before patting his daughter's back comfortingly as he tried to keep his voice devoid of concern;

"I'll tell you what, baby girl, Daddy's going to go and help Mommy find your bunny."

Kissing her cheek, Aaron sat her back in the playpen before reaching for a small rag doll;

"Why don't you play with your dolly and Daddy will be back with Mommy just as fast as possible, alright?"

Satisfied with her father's suggestion, Amie waved her hands up and down as she bounced on her bottom before taking the doll her father offered her, confident that her daddy would be able to fulfill her wishes with no problem whatsoever. Taking a moment to ruffle Jacob's hair and gladly accept the boy's lopsided grin as thanks, Aaron hurried to his youngest son's basket to ensure he was sleeping peacefully. Consulting his watch again, Aaron pulled it free from his vest and handed it to Molly, something that found the little girl's eyes wide with shock, knowing how much store her uncle set in his watch. Dropping the timepiece in the girl's hands, Aaron ordered sternly;

"Molly, I want you to keep an eye on that watch, and if your Aunt Jemma isn't walking back in this door in the next ten minutes I want you to go get your Uncle Jason and tell him to come looking for us, especially Aunt Jemma. Understand?"

Accepting her nod and a solemn;

"Yes, Uncle Aaron."

as a sign that she understood just how serious he was about the situation, Aaron praised;

"Good girl! And, Molly, thank you for watching mine and Aunt Jemma's babies."

Watching as he hurried out the side door, Christopher turned to his sister;

"Molly, why's Uncle Aaron acting so worried?"

Sighing in frustration, Molly tried to explain patiently;

"Because, Christopher, Aunt Jemma's been gone a lot longer then she should have been and Uncle Aaron's afraid that something might be wrong, that's why he's gone to look for her."

Christopher shook his head;

"I sure hope he's wrong!"

Molly nodded;

"Me too!"

Motioning to the chairs at the table, Molly suggested;

"Come on, let's sit down and watch the time. If they're not back by the time Uncle Aaron said we have to tell Uncle Jason."

Taking their chairs, both watched the minutes tick by unmercifully slow, both hoping and praying that their aunt and uncle would walk through the door before the deadline that Aaron had set.

Kicking and fighting as best she could, Jemma did everything possible to gain her freedom from her captor. However, she found herself at a decided disadvantage as the hand over her face became an even tighter gag over her mouth and nose, blotting out even more air, while the arm around her waist flexed to squeeze even tighter, pushing even more air from her lungs, something that found her efforts ceasing. Infuriated, Carlin hissed in her ear;

"I meant what I said Mrs. Stempel, whether or not you enjoy what's about to happen is of no consequence to me. Quite frankly, as far as I'm concerned any pain you should suffer will be because you brought it upon yourself with your stubbornness and determination to fight. Face it, there's a reason your sex is weaker, and considering your size, trying to fight me is the height of stupidity on your part."

Despite being disoriented due to lack of air, and the discomfort that she felt at Carlin's hands, Jemma was seething in anger as his words. Doing her best to think coherently, Jemma realized that her best chance for escape was to lull him into a false sense of security, to let him think that she had given up and when his guard was down she would strike out and hope she could escape. Outside of her plan, she knew that her only other hope and prayer was that her husband, brothers, or anyone else for that matter, might happen along and be the means to her salvation.

Letting her body go slightly limp, Jemma could tell that Carlin was under the assumption that he was overpowering her, something she was certain his overabundance of arrogance might well be responsible for. Willing herself to patience, especially as he half lifted, half dragged her to a desolate spot at the back of the brides' dormitory that was surrounded by trees, shrubberies, and even large boulders, Jemma tried to think her options thru as carefully as possible. She realized that her window of opportunity might well be opening as he shifted the hold he had around her waist slightly before pushing her roughly to the ground, his hand still held firmly over her mouth, before pressing down on her slight frame with his weight. Pinning her to the ground with his body, Carlin reached into his jacket pocket and produced a switchblade. Reveling in the fear he saw glowing in the emerald depths of Jemma's eyes, smirking, Carlin nodded;

"That's right, dear Jemma, I meant what I said and if it takes a little pain to keep you compliant then so be it. But, knowing that stubborn nature and temper of yours, I don't see such a threat keeping you in line. However, I'm quite certain that to avoid any unfortunate 'accidents' from befalling your precious children, you'd be more than agreeable, wouldn't you?"

Carlin found himself shocked by her response; normally, using such a threat had always yielded the results he hoped for, but as had been the case since his arrival in Seattle what he expected and what he got were two different things. As she had hoped, when Jemma relaxed her body, Carlin seemed to do the same, even when he had brandished the switchblade. Despite her attempts to will herself to calmness so as not to make any rash moves, between the man's threats against her children, his threatening behavior with the knife, and then the way he quickly pulled his hand away from her mouth before covering it once more with his own mouth, something that Jemma found revolting. She soon found her perseverance even more tested when she felt his, now, free hand yanking the pins from her hair to let the mass fall, something that, considering her husband was the only man to ever take such liberties, found Jemma seeing red. However, knowing that she would only have one chance to make her plan work, Jemma held her temper as long as possible before making her move. Just as she had hoped, Carlin grew careless as he lifted his head, forgetting to make certain that she couldn't scream out for help, to sneer;

"I KNEW your hair must be a glorious sight to behold when it was free and loose and I was right! Tell me something, dear, how many times has Aaron set those glorious waves and curls free just so he could run his fingers through their silken length? I imagine he relishes feeling how soft and silky your hair feels against his skin, just how many times has that happened I wonder?"

Realizing that her opportunity had come as she felt Carlin's legs relax somewhat as one leg slid to the side of her right leg, Jemma steadied herself as she exclaimed;

"NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!"

With that, she raised her knee sharply and with lightening speed brought it up to cause enough of an injury to elicit a yowl of pain from her attacker. Noticing the knife, Jemma snatched it and threw it as far away from them as possible, she might not have it to defend herself, but by God, he couldn't use it to threaten her to try to cause harm to her children either. Although Jemma had managed to get to her knees and was about to take off running, she found her progress stopped as Carlin launched himself at her side, knocking her back to the ground before he straddled her, effectively pinning her beneath him as he seethed;

"YOU LITTLE BITCH!"

Fighting for all she was worth, Jemma pounded at him with her fists, making certain to inflict as much damage as possible as she scratched, clawed, punched, hit, and whatever else she could think of to cause the man as much pain as possible. Her anger an almost tangible thing, Jemma hissed;

"If being a bitch means I don't want your filthy hands anywhere on me or you anywhere near me then I'll gladly be the biggest bitch the great Northwest has ever seen. You may well overcome me, but it'll be at a high price."

Before he could react, Carlin felt the force of Jemma's small fist impact against his cheek, something that raised his ire at the idea of her daring to assault him in such a manner. His vision filling with a red haze he tried grabbing at her flailing hands to control her movements, as she raised her shoulders and head up from the ground, Carlin found himself wrapping his hands around her throat. Given the panic Jemma felt as her air supply was being effectively cut off, she began clawing in an attempt to loosen his grip, something that increased the rage that Carlin felt over, what he considered, her audacity. His fury raging, Carlin drew his right hand back over his left shoulder and released it with all his strength to strike Jemma hard across her face, catching her jaw and mouth, thanks to the size of his hand. However, while his initial intention might well have been to simply subdue or quiet her, what he didn't count on, or think about, was the large boulder with a protruding stone at its base. As the back of his hand made contact with Jemma's jaw and mouth, Carlin found himself somewhat shocked as the force of his blow snapped Jemma's head to the side, an action that found her striking the side of her temple against the heavy stone. Despite a moment's concern as he watched Jemma's eyes roll upwards just before her eyelids closed and she went completely limp. While most would have been concerned with the turn of events, Carlin simply chose to look at it as the situation working to his favor. Smirking at, what he considered, his good luck, Carlin decided to take the opportunity presented as a sign that he should allow his more carnal side free rein. Tracing the outline of her mouth with his finger as she laid unconscious, Carlin taunted;

"As I said earlier, Mrs. Stempel, your enjoyment isn't something I'm particularly concerned about in this matter. In a way, this is much better, you'll have no way of remembering what I do or don't do to you and your intrusive husband can go to his grave wondering just how far I did or didn't go in my enjoyment of you."

Despite her condition, Carlin relished the control he had over Jemma as he buried his face against the side of her neck, leaving teeth marks along with the bruises from his earlier assault against her throat, careless of fact that some of the bites were drawing blood. Lifting his head from her throat, Carlin curled his hands into claws as he grabbed at the bodice of Jemma's dress to violently snatch it open, exposing her camisole and the swell of her breasts. His chest heaving with his excitement and desire, Carlin laughed menacingly;

"I knew that day on the pier, when you came out of the water like Venus rising, that you were going to be worth whatever it took to get you. However, considering what your husband has cost me, taking my enjoyment of you is the sweetest and most enjoyable form of revenge that I can imagine."

However, Carlin soon found the thoughts he had of enjoying his revenge fleeting and turning to fear and panic as he heard a familiar voice calling;

"JEMMA! JEMMA, WHERE ARE YOU, DARLIN?!"

Wracking his brain with the possible repercussions of what could happen should he be discovered in his present position, Carlin gave careful scrutiny to Jemma's condition and realized that his safest course of action was to get the jump on Aaron Stempel before taking his enjoyment of the man's wife, then, he'd make a hasty retreat from Seattle. Noticing that Aaron's approach was becoming ever more imminent, Carlin stood before directing his statement at an unconscious Jemma;

"I'm afraid, dear Jemma, that we'll have to continue this a bit later, I need to deal with your husband right now. However, make no mistake, we will be continuing this."

Allowing his eyes to rake the length of her body, Carlin stated snidely;

"Judging by your condition I'm quite confident that I don't have to worry about you disappearing before I return."

Straightening his clothing, Carlin hurried from under the cover of the low branches and shrubs to deal with his adversary, confident in what the outcome would be.

Aaron carefully traced the most obvious route from Lottie's to their home for any sign of his wife. Frustrated, he stopped for a moment to place his hands on his hips before exclaiming;

"Dammit! She has to be here somewhere, how could we have possibly missed each other between the house and Lottie's?"

Although he was trying his best to remain calm, Aaron couldn't help the nagging worry that ate away at the back of his mind. He had no doubts that Everston would take his earlier warning seriously, however, he couldn't help but feel concerned over just what might happen if the man were to find Jemma out in the dark by herself. Turning, he scanned the area more thoroughly for any signs that his wife might have recently been there. Aaron's eyes narrowed as he noticed a strange gray lump just under a bush near the front of the brides' dorm, recognizing what the shape was, Aaron quickly closed the distance before bending to take the item in his hand. Studying the object he realized that he had found his daughter's toy bunny; brushing the dirt and dust from the cloth, Aaron huffed in aggravation;

"Well, at least I've managed to fulfill half my promise to Amie. Now, if I can just find her mommy."

Shoving the small toy in his pocket, Aaron was about to move forward when he noticed a strange shadow behind him. Moving quickly, Aaron soon found himself in a fight for survival as he nearly missed having his head struck with a large stick. Turning quickly Aaron came face to face with Carlin and noticed the look of fury and hatred burning in the man's eyes as he challenged;

"Now what are you going to do, Stempel? You don't have anyone to back you or do your fighting for you, how are you going to defend yourself now?"

Seeing his opportunity as Carlin hefted the limb once more, Aaron rushed the man, forcing the limb from his hand before landing a punch in the man's gut, forcing him to double over as Aaron shook his head;

"I can promise you, Everston, I don't need anyone to do my fighting for me, and certainly not where you're concerned. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

Despite the man's prone position at the moment, Aaron remained on guard, suspicious of Carlin's sneaky nature. However, he soon found it unnecessary as Jason, Josh, Jeremy, and Ward came running, having heard the ruckus. Motioning towards Carlin, Jason, his face reflecting his perplexity, demanded;

"Aaron, what happened?"

Aaron shrugged;

"Hell if I know, Jason! All I know was that I bent over to pick up Amie's toy and happened to notice his shadow. The next thing I know he's trying to bash my head in with that limb, I know he's mad, but this is ridiculous."

His main focus returning, Aaron's worry increased as he pointed out;

"Jason, I found Amie's rabbit, but there's no sign of Jemma anywhere."

Facing each other, Josh and Jeremy's faces reflected their own fears as Josh reminded them;

"Molly and Christopher said that Jemma told them when she left that she was going to retrace the path they took earlier to try and find Amie's toy. Aaron, you should have run into her, or found her by now."

His own concern growing by the second, Aaron nodded;

"I know, Josh, I know!"

Having heard part of the conversation as they hurried to join the group, Clancey and Duncan's eyes widened in alarm as Clancey demanded;

"Do ya mean ta tell me that there's no sign of Jemma to be found?"

Shaking his head, the fear in his dark eyes evident, even in the dim light cast by the lanterns Clancey and Duncan had brought with them, Aaron admitted;

"No, Clancey!"

Noticing the sneer Carlin wore, Aaron ventured;

"I have the feeling that HE knows something though."

Slowly and deliberately, Carlin lifted his eyes to taunt;

"Since you're so adept at finding hidden things, Stempel, I suggest you put that talent to finding your wife."

Seeing that Aaron's temper was about to rage, Duncan stepped between Carlin and his niece's husband to place his hands on Aaron's shoulders as he pinned him with his blue eyes and shook his head;

"Ya canna do that, Aaron, no matter how much he may deserve it. Right now, the most important thing is finding Jemma lass."

Pushing his anger back to let his logic take control, Aaron gave a curt nod;

"You're right, Duncan. Let's find Jemma!"

Squinting somewhat as he moved his lantern back and forth, Clancey noticed something strange just under one of the branches that hung low enough to form a sort of canopy enclosure where it met a group of shrubberies near a large boulder at the back of the brides' dorm. His voice rough with concern, Clancy turned to nod in the direction he was looking before addressing the elder Bolt;

"Duncan, correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Jemma wearin a dress the color of a peacock's feather?"

His eyes widening at the implication the question held, Aaron swung around to where Clancey seemed so intently focused. Despite the darkness, Aaron couldn't help but notice a scrap of material that had drawn the weathered old captain's attention. Closing the distance, Aaron pulled the material from the branch where it hung to inspect it before turning to Jason who had been close on his heels;

"This is from Jemma's dress, Jason."

His brow wrinkling, Jason demanded;

"Are you sure, Aaron?"

Aaron nodded;

"Yes! I'd know it anywhere, Jason. The last trip I had to make to Tacoma when I saw this material I bought it because I knew how much she loves this color."

Seeing his brother-in-law's panic as he turned frantically to search the area, Jason placed his hand on Aaron's shoulder;

"Aaron, I know it's hard, but we have to stay as calm as possible. Letting ourselves become frantic won't help the situation or Pixie."

Taking a deep breath, Aaron nodded;

"I know, and you're right, Jason, but..."

Closing his eyes momentarily as he gathered his own bearings while trying to push the worry he felt for his sister to the back of his mind for the sake of a clear head, Jason consoled;

"It's alright, Aaron, believe me, I understand."

Shaking his head, Aaron lowered his voice in an attempt to keep Carlin from knowing just how upset he truly was by Jemma's disappearance;

"Jason, where is she? I know he knows where Jemma is, and I know we have him to thank for what's going on."

About to answer Aaron's query, Jason's eyes suddenly narrowed as he studied a heavily shrouded area near a large boulder just before his face became a mask or fear and worry as he pointed wildly;

"AARON, LOOK!"

His eyes following in the direction that Jason was pointing, Aaron suddenly inhaled sharply as he rushed to where Jason was pointing to push the low branches and limbs aside before kneeling next to his wife's prone body to exclaim;

"JEMMA!"

Understanding the excitement, Duncan turned to Clancey to order;

"Ya stay here, man, and make sure this scoundrel goes nowhere."

Hurrying to join his nephews and Aaron, Duncan brought the lantern closer, something he somewhat regretted as it illuminated just how serious his niece's condition truly was. Any doubts that Duncan might have had regarding how much Aaron loved his niece were quickly put to rest at the look of anguish on the man's face as he gently examined Jemma. To say that she had been badly abused was an understatement; the heavy bruising on her cheek and jaw, as well the trickle of blood from her swollen lip gave evidence to that fact. However, as Duncan turned the wick up on the lantern, shining more light, the anguish he saw on Aaron's face soon mixed with rage, a fact evidenced by the granite-like set of his jaw as he did a more thorough examination of Jemma's condition.

Although it certainly wasn't his first concern, Aaron, noticing the ripped bodice of his wife's dress and knowing how horrified she would be, hurriedly removed his jacket and draped it across her chest. Gently, Aaron pushed the long fall of hair away from her face, revealing the teeth marks and small traces of blood where the skin had been broken, as well as the litany of bruises around her throat, something that panicked Aaron. Trying to remain as calm as possible, Aaron began stroking her brow, as he called softly, trying to rouse her to consciousness;

"Jemma, Jemma love can you open your eyes for me?"

Sliding his arm carefully behind her shoulders, to raise her to a reclining position, Aaron's heart lurched as, not only didn't she respond, her head fell backward limply. His sole focus on Jemma, Aaron didn't notice the matching looks of alarm that the Bolt men were wearing at Jemma's lack of response. His own panic soaring at the moment, Aaron placed his hand against her uninjured cheek to plead;

"Jemma, sweetheart, PLEASE, open your eyes and look at me."

When he still received no response, Aaron slid his hand to the side of her throat and waited for what seemed like an eternity, but was only mere seconds, before he felt the steady throbbing against his fingers. However, his relief was reserved, at best, given the lack of strength he found in Jemma's pulse. The fear and worry filling his features, Aaron lifted his eyes to meet Jason's, something that found Jason's heart sinking as his brother-in-law's voice cracked with fear as he begged;

"Jason, what do we do, she isn't waking up?!"

Lowering himself on one knee next to Aaron and his sister, Jason brushed a few wisps of hair from Jemma's face as he tried;

"Pixie, sweetie, it's Jason. Wake up, Pixie doll, open your eyes for us."

When they still received no response, Duncan thrust the lantern in Josh's hands as he decided to take matters into his own hands and began tossing out orders, needing something practical to help keep his own fears, where his niece was concerned, in check. Motioning to Aaron, Duncan ordered;

"For the love of heaven above, mon! Get that look off yer face, ya said the lass has a pulse, that's something to be thankful for."

Wagging his finger at Aaron, Duncan admonished;

"Ya seem to forget, Mr. Stempel, ya didna just marry any lass, ya married a Bolt!"

Holding her close against his chest, Aaron felt something wet and sticky against the hand cradling his wife's head. Jason, noticing the strange look as Aaron extended his fingers, turned to his younger brother to demand;

"Jeremy, hand me that lantern!"

Bringing the light closer to the boulder, Jason solved the mystery of the red staining his brother-in-law's fingers. Gently, he turned his sister's head to the side and motioning to a protruding rock near the bottom of the boulder that Jemma was lying next to, he held the light up as he pointed out;

"Aaron, look!"

Glancing from the bruised side of his wife's face to the bleeding bruise at the side of her temple, and then to the bloodstain on the boulder, Aaron's blood began to boil at the savagery he realized his wife had been subjected to at Carlin Everston's hands. The heat of his anger only increased as he attempted to place his free arm across Jemma's middle and immediately regretted the action as he felt her flinch slightly before moaning softly in pain. Noticing his handkerchief sticking out of his jacket pocket, Aaron jerked it free to dab at the trickle of blood from the corner of Jemma's mouth before holding it to the still flowing wound at the side of her temple as he encouraged;

"That's it, sweetheart, come on, open your eyes for me, love."

Aaron hadn't even known that he had been holding his breath until he allowed it to escape slowly between his lips as his wife slowly opened her eyes. Although she had only managed to open her eyes halfway and he could see how dazed and disoriented she was, the fact that she was conscious was a hopeful sign. Holding her close, Aaron praised;

"That's my girl!"

Reaching his arm across her middle to gather her to him, Aaron froze as she whimpered and, despite how disoriented she was, a look of agony clouded her features. Turning to his brothers and uncle in law, Aaron implored;

"Jason, Duncan, Josh, Jeremy, what could it be, what did he do to her?"

Kneeling next to his niece, Duncan asked softly;

"May I?"

Eagerly, Aaron nodded;

"Yes, Duncan, please! Anything you can do to help her please do it.."

Taking his niece's hand in his, Duncan braced himself as he saw just how disoriented she truly was. Motioning to his jacket, Duncan ordered;

"Aaron, I'm afraid that, while well intended, yer jackets a bit in ma way."

Gently, Aaron lifted his jacket away from Jemma as Duncan explained;

"Jemma lass, I need ta see why you're hurtin, so just be a bit patient with yer old uncle whilst I see if I can find out what's troublin ya."

Despite her present state of mind, there was no doubt in anyone's mind as to how extensive Jemma's injuries were as Duncan gingerly placed his hand across her midsection and began examining the area, especially when his hand slid across the lower part of her rib cage and her body reflexively arched as she cried out in pain. Feeling a stabbing in his heart for the pain he had been forced to cause her, Duncan gripped her hand tighter to offer comfort;

"Easy, lass! I promise ya, Jemma girl, yer old Uncle Duncan willna be causin ya no more pain."

Connecting all of the puzzle pieces, Josh stood, looking down on his sister, to theorize;

"That bastard! She had to have been on the ground for that blood to be where it is at the bottom of that boulder, and he must have either manhandled her to get her there or he straddled her to keep her down, or both."

Nodding, Duncan confirmed;

"Aye, lad!"

Meeting Aaron and Jason's questioning looks, Duncan explained;

"I canna feel anything broken, but judgin by the lass's reaction, I'd say it's more than a strong possibility that her ribs are bruised, at the very least."

Aaron noticing Jemma slip her hand free of her uncles to grab at his arm took her hand in his. Seeing the look of fear she wore, he tried coaxing her;

"What is it, love? Tell me."

He could tell she was struggling to express herself as she pleaded;

"AARON! I SWEAR, HE DIDN'T! I TRIED TO GET AWAY BUT.."

Aaron's heart lurched momentarily as her eyes closed, she went quiet and her body went limp in his arms. Seeing the steady rise and fall of her chest, he realized that she had passed out, something that found Jeremy shaking his head before observing;

"Oh dear Lord, what did that man do to her? Pixie's never been weak, Jason but if she passed out from the pain it has to be bad."

Although he responded;

"It is, Jeremy, it is."

Aaron was only semi-aware of his brother-in-law's statement. Already raging over the obvious evidence of what his wife had been forced to endure, the final straw came as Aaron glanced down at her small hand, held securely in his much larger one, and could see in the glow from the lantern Jason held the bruises across her knuckles; something that found all the boundaries of Aaron's temper disappearing. Even though Jason knew from experience just how hot Aaron's temper could burn, especially when it came to Jemma and their children, he found himself completely taken by surprise as Aaron turned to him and ordered sternly;

"Stay with her, Jason, and don't you dare leave her!"

Gently, Aaron shifted his wife towards her brother, and once he was satisfied she would be well protected and cared for, much to everyone's surprise, most especially Carlin Everston, Aaron moved so quickly that everyone found they could only stare in shock. One moment he was kneeling next to Jemma and the next he stood before Carlin, his chest rising and falling heavily with anger, his hatred more than evident in his dark eyes that began to resemble burning coals. Having never seen the man's anger this heightened, Clancey tried to ease the situation as he maintained his position as Carlin's guard.

"Aaron, man, think on what ya be doin."

Despite his outward's appearance to the contrary, Aaron's words were very calmly and carefully measured as he spoke;

"Oh, I'm well aware of what I'm doing, Clancey, make no mistake."

If anyone was to try and find one word to describe the look that Carlin wore on his face it would have to be terror. Any doubts to the contrary were soon eliminated as Aaron's hands struck with lightning speed to snatch the edges of the man's jacket, putting him almost nose to nose with his adversary as he seethed;

"I know exactly what I'm doing, I'm going to let him see how it feels to be treated the way he treated my wife."

Before anyone could act, Aaron drew back his left hand to back-hand the man hard across the mouth, causing his mouth to immediately swell as blood began pouring from his split lip as he fell backward to the ground. Waiting a moment as the man tried to rise, Aaron launched himself at Carlin and tackled him back to the ground before rolling to his hands and knees as he faced his enemy to demand in a voice full of fury and hatred;

"IS THAT WHAT YOU DID TO HER, EVERSTON TO GET HER ON THE GROUND? OR DID YOU DO THIS?"

With that Aaron rushed at him as he tried sitting up to knock him to the ground on his back before straddling the man as he slammed his fist against his jaw, dazing Carlin. Gaining his feet, Aaron reached down to snatch the man up before slamming his back against one of the large tree trunks as he buried a haymaker in Carlin's stomach to watch the man double over in pain. Jerking him back upright, Aaron, breathing hard with rage, issued;

"I'd imagine that was a portion of what my wife felt with you straddling her stomach as she tried to fight just to breath."

Noticing the man's hands as he held them up to try and shield himself, Aaron snatched the man's wrist in a grip of steel as he theorized;

"I'm willing to bet Jemma did that trying to pry your hands from her throat, didn't she?"

Leaving not even a hand's breadth between them, Aaron pushed Carlin further into the tree trunk as he roared;

"IS THIS HOW YOU DID IT, EVERSTON? HOW MUCH FORCE DID YOU USE WHEN YOU TRIED TO STRANGLE MY WIFE? OR WERE YOU JUST TRYING TO MAKE HER BLACKOUT CONSIDERING WHAT ELSE YOU HAD PLANNED FOR HER!"

Grasping desperately at Aaron's hands, Carlin ignored the scratches he was inflicting on his own throat as he began pleading, his voice hoarse;

"I would never have..."

The combination of Carlin's attempts to look innocent as well as his attempts to deny what he had left glaring evidence of on Jemma's person sent the volcano of Aaron's rage erupting as his deep voice bellowed beyond belief;

"YOU WOULDN'T HAVE WHAT; RAPED MY WIFE?! HER APPEARANCE AND DRESS SAY OTHERWISE! THAT'S WHY YOU TRIED HITTING ME WITH THAT LIMB, WASN'T IT? YOU WERE AFRAID I'D CATCH YOU IN THE ACT! I TOLD YOU IF YOU TRIED ANYTHING WHERE JEMMA WAS CONCERNED I'D KILL YOU!"

Clancey, desperate to stop Aaron before he went too far, rushed over to where the Bolt brothers were gathered around their sister to question worriedly;

"Jason, can't ya's do somethin to stop the man. He's gonna kill the bloke, not that I'd blame him, but still..."

At a loss, Jason shook his head as he wracked his brain;

"Clancey, I don't know HOW to stop him! I've never seen Aaron this angry before."

Before they could conjecture any further, Jason noticed his sister beginning to stir as she moaned just before slowly opening her eyes. Hopeful, Jason asked;

"Pixie, sweetie?"

Watching as her eyes darted all around her, trying to gather her bearings, he knew that she was more oriented then she had been in her previous bout of consciousness as, when they fell on the scene before her with her husband and Carlin Everston, her eyes widened in fright and panic. Although he wasn't shocked by it, Jason's brow furrowed as his sister reached out to brace herself as she demanded without preamble;

"Help me up! HURRY!"

Trying to argue, Duncan placed his hand on her arm;

"Jemma lass, you're in no shape..."

Drawing on her stubborn nature and despite the pain it caused her, Jemma narrowed her eyes as she challenged;

"Fine, Uncle Duncan, I'll crawl if I have to, but one way or another..."

With that she tried to turn over onto her hands and knees to prove her point, something that assured her brothers of just how serious she was as Josh shook his head before reaching out to help her as he ordered;

"Just do as she says! Trust me, it'll be easier for her if we cooperate then if we don't but either way she's determined."

Rushing to her aid, all four of the Bolt men helped Jemma to her feet. Refusing their offers of help, and despite just how unsteady she truly was, Jemma rushed to grab her husband's arm as she begged;

"Aaron! Darling, please don't do this! He's not worth it, honey, please! Even if you don't think about me, think about our babies, PLEASE!"

Dimly, thru the red haze of hatred that had taken possession of him, the sound of his wife's voice pleading with him began breaking through the brick wall of anger that surrounded him. Releasing his focus on Carlin's face, which had begun to take on a magenta hue due to the lack of oxygen, Aaron's hands began to slacken the hold they had around the man's throat before finally letting go completely as Jemma became the sole center of his attention. Turning to Duncan, Clancey, and his brothers-in-law, as Josh and Jeremy took firm hold of each of Carlin's arms to prevent him from fleeing, not that he was in any condition, Aaron growled;

"Jason! I told you to keep her safe, dammit!"

Gently, Aaron took his wife's hand from his arm before placing his arm around her waist to pull her against his chest, feeling how unsteady she was as she swayed before leaning heavily against him. Wrapping his other arm around her protectively as she laid her head against his chest, which was rising and falling heavily as he sought to harness his anger and regain control of his composure, Aaron stated his position in a quiet, yet decidedly determined voice;

"I told you that day, when I saw how you were looking at Jemma, that what you were thinking alone could get you killed and you ignored my warning. The only reason you're not drawing your last breath, Everston is because of her."

Nodding slightly in his wife's direction as he held her securely in his arms, Aaron continued;

"You have Jemma to thank for the fact that you're still drawing breath, but make no mistake about it, Everston; if you EVER even look at my wife, let alone come near her again I won't hesitate to kill you, and that goes for the rest of our family too."

Aaron couldn't help but find his limits being tested where his anger was concerned as Jemma turned briefly to look at Carlin before looking into her husband's eyes, tears and fear filling her own as she began shaking before tears began silently sliding down her cheeks as she implored;

"Aaron, I don't care if I become the laughing stock of the entire Western territory,

please, PLEASE, send to Tacoma for the marshal."

Meeting her brothers' and uncle's looks of confused worry, Aaron brow wrinkled in dread and concern as he asked anxiously;

"Sweetheart, I swear that it won't change anything between us, but he didn't...I mean."

Shaking her head furiously, Jemma denied;

"NO! He didn't do 'that' to me, I don't know what stopped him, but something or someone did. No, but, honey, he threatened to...he had a knife and he told me that he knew threatening me to make me do what he wanted wouldn't work. He said that he would use his knife and he'd see to it that our babies had an 'accident'."

Holding onto his vest desperately in a death-like grip, Jemma began breathing heavily as her voice began quivering;

"Aaron, please...I don't want his blood on your hands, but our babies..."

Despite how strong and stubborn Jemma was in spirit and body, given what she had been made to suffer physically, emotionally, and mentally, Aaron wasn't surprised, merely concerned, when she released her grip on his vest as her eyes closed just before she collapsed. His arms wrapped securely about her, Aaron held her close against him as he fought the temptation to finish what he had started earlier where Carlin was concerned. Seeing the look in his brother-in-law's eyes, Jeremy begged;

"No, Aaron! I know what you're thinking, you can't do it!"

His eyes narrowing to slits of anger, Aaron demanded in derision;

"And just why can't I, Jeremy! Didn't you hear what your sister just said? That bastard not only attacked her and tried to rape her, but he threatened our children. Now, give me a good reason as to just why I shouldn't!"

Frightened beyond anything that he had ever known before, Carlin began entreating;

"I SWEAR, I'LL NEVER SET FOOT IN SEATTLE AGAIN! I'D NEVER DO ANYTHING TO HURT A CHILD, I NEVER MEANT TO..."

Seeing that Aaron was about to lose the tenuous grip that he had on his self-control, Jason took matters into his own hands, as well as finding a small amount of satisfaction at the chance to take his own bit of vengeance for what the man had done to Jemma. Turning swiftly, Jason lashed out with the back of his hand. Although it didn't pack quite the power that Aaron's had earlier, Jason's blow still held enough power to nearly snap the man's neck backward. His blue eyes lit with fury, Jason grabbed at Carlin's jacket as he jerked the man close to him to warn;

"I strongly suggest that you keep your damn mouth shut, Everston! That girl isn't just my sister, as you well know, I raised her since she was a baby so I take great exception to what you did, just as Josh and Jeremy do. As Aaron said, you have Jemma to thank for the fact you're still breathing."

Realizing that he had nothing to lose, Carlin decided to taunt;

"Well, if you raised her you failed miserably if you were trying to raise a lady, Jason. Little Miss Jemma is far from the sweet and innocent girl that you all think she is."

Huffing in anger at the slurs the man was hurling, Clancey ordered sharply;

"If I were you, man, I'd not poke that particular bear!"

Feeling increasingly reckless, Carlin turned to Aaron to sneer;

"She was right you know, although she forgot to mention that you'll suffer in all of this too. If you try to press charges on me for what happened tonight, I'll paint a picture of your wife's character that's going to make her look like nothing but a cheap harlot who managed to marry well."

Recognizing the warning signs, Duncan placed his hand on Aaron's shoulder as he faced him before stating quietly as he nodded towards Jemma;

"Aaron, lad, I kin see in yer eyes what yer thinkin, and I dinna blame ya. But, ya have ta think of her and the bairns."

His tone lowered to share a confidence, Duncan reminded;

"I wouldna blame ya, but that's not the man that Jemma lass married. Ya know she risked a great deal to be yer wife, dinna let that have been in vain, lad. Dinna disappoint her, she's willing to do what she thinks right, then so must you be."

Glancing down into his wife's face, relaxed in unconsciousness, as he contemplated Duncan's words, Aaron let his heart make his decision. Slowly, Aaron counted to ten before giving voice to what he had learned in the reports that Barnabas Webster had given him earlier that day. Choosing his words carefully, Aaron shook his head;

"No, you won't! First of all, everyone knows my wife and they also happen to know just how you've been ogling Jemma, almost since your arrival. You made an ass of yourself earlier at the party with what you said to your own daughter and my wife. And finally, there's a reason I pay for the best when I pay someone to investigate; Webster brought a complete file back on you, not just financial but personal too. I can promise you; this won't have the same results as what happened before, this isn't San Francisco and you don't have the money at your disposal that you did before. Not to mention, there isn't enough money in the world to buy my wife off, not after what you said about our children and as long as Jemma wants to pursue it, then I'll stand behind my wife all the way."

His concern for Jemma taking over, Aaron bent and swung her small frame up into his arms before turning to Jason to order sternly;

"Jason, I strongly suggest that you lock this...monster up before I change my mind. And make sure he's kept under lock and key. Then, if one of you would, please have Ben wire the marshal in Tacoma about what happened. Finally, but most importantly,"

His face full of pleading, Aaron beseeched;

"I know it's asking a lot, but the shape that she's in..."

Nodding, Jeremy offered;

"Don't worry, we can take care of Jacob, Amie, and Alex."

Josh, realizing the rest of Aaron's request, advised;

"Aaron, I saw Allyn earlier, I'll go get her and tell Lottie and the others what's happened. I'll send them to your house."

Aaron gave a slight bob of his head in acknowledgment of his appreciation;

"Thank you all"

Pinning, who he considered, his mortal enemy with his eyes, Aaron growled in hatred;

"As for you, Everston, I strongly suggest you heed what I'm about to say; if I EVER see you, outside of a courtroom, again, especially near my wife and children, I swear to you; I'll finish what I started tonight. I might well have to face my wife's disappointment, but at least I know she and our children will be safe."

Without another word, Aaron hurried in the direction of their home, hanging onto the thought that, if Jemma had been stubborn enough stop him from committing a mortal sin on her behalf, his wife was stubborn enough to recover, both, physically and emotionally from what she had suffered.

Although he'd never understand how she had, Lottie had managed to beat Aaron to the house and was opening the door as he stepped up on the porch. Ushering him inside, Lottie ordered;

"Upstairs, Aaron I have the bed ready!"

Lottie quickly followed in his wake as Aaron hurried up the staircase to their room. Having lit all the lamps for the sake of the extra light that she was certain Allyn would need to conduct a proper examination, Lottie stopped short at the foot of the bed as Aaron gently placed Jemma in the center. Although he had seen some of her injuries by the glow of the lantern, Aaron soon realized that he wasn't fully prepared for the full extent of the damage that had been caused by the attack his wife had suffered. Her face reflecting the horror she felt as she looked upon her adopted daughter's battered and bruised face and body, and despite her normally calm presence, Lottie couldn't help but utter;

"Oh, dear heaven above!"

Shaking her head, Lottie demanded;

"Aaron, what did that monster do to her?"

The thought suddenly occurring to her, Lottie's eyes widened in horror at the thought;

"He didn't...I mean...well she wasn't..."

Aaron gave a slow shake of his head;

"No, he didn't! Apparently, he heard me when I went to look for her, he tried to bash my head in with a limb. But, as you can tell, he failed, thank God!"

Doing a more thorough assessment of his wife's condition, Aaron glanced over his shoulder;

"Lottie, please get one of her gowns, let's try to make her more comfortable before Allyn gets here."

Careful of her swollen mouth and the bruises on the right side of her face, Aaron pushed her hair away from her face and, although having noticed it earlier, found himself swearing;

"That bastard!"

as he saw the extent of the damage to her throat. Lottie, having found a gown, could only stare as she approached the bed. Her face reflecting her horror, Lottie lamented;

"Oh my God, Aaron! Do you mean to tell me that...maniac tried to strangle her too?"

Aaron, realizing just how much of a miracle it was that he had happened by when he did, gave silent thanks to Providence for the fact, realizing that if he hadn't, Carlin might well have killed Jemma. Swallowing hard to push the fright away that he felt over the idea of life without his wife, Aaron asked quietly;

"Lottie, would you get me something to tend to these wounds on her neck, please?"

Once she returned with a clean cloth and a basin of water, Aaron dipped the rag into the water and began gently wiping the traces of blood away from where the skin had been broken, as well as trying to ease the discomfort from the bruises around her throat. Sighing heavily, Aaron finally answered;

"Yes, Lottie, as well as threatening the lives of our children."

Infuriated, Lottie demanded;

"Where is he now?"

Lowering his head slightly, Aaron admitted;

"He should be dead, I should have killed him for what he did to her, Lottie, but, she stopped me. Jason has him locked up and Ben's wiring the marshal in Tacoma."

Placing her hand on his shoulder, Lottie tried to comfort him;

"Aaron, you shouldn't have killed him. Jemma was right to stop you, that man is not worth you committing a mortal sin, although no one could have blamed you for doing it, especially given what I'm seeing here."

Setting the basin aside, Aaron motioned towards the gown Lottie had laid across the rocking chair;

"Let's try to make her more comfortable, at least we can get her out of this torn dress."

Unfastening what remained of the dress's bodice, Aaron and Lottie made quick work of removing Jemma's dress and underskirt. However, they soon found themselves even more horrified as Aaron lifted the hem of his wife's camisole, only to stop, mid-action, to stare in disbelief. Sucking in his breath, Aaron's eyes closed as he tried to collect himself before grounding out;

"Oh my God! No wonder she was crying out in pain!"

Lottie brought her hand to her mouth to prevent herself from crying out. Wiping tears from her eyes, she could only shake her head as she asked softly;

"Dear Lord, Aaron! Was he TRYING to kill her?"

Gently, Aaron placed his hand on his wife's mid-section and realized just how right Duncan had been, especially as he felt her flinch at his touch and moan in pain, even unconscious. His jaw tightening as his mouth became a thin line of concern and agitation, Aaron prayed;

"I just hope that Duncan was right and her ribs are bruised rather than broken, although she's going to be in just as much pain either way."

Hearing the sound of the front door opening and closing, Aaron breathed a sigh of relief as Allyn, followed by Peggy and Biddie hurried through the bedroom door. Despite the air of professionalism that she tried to always maintain in her capacity as a physician, Allyn found herself gasping when she first caught glimpse of her patient, as did Biddie and Peggy who quickly followed behind the doctor. Bringing her hands up to cover her mouth in an attempt to hide her shock, Biddie could only mutter;

"Oh, my heavens!"

Her blue eyes reflecting her concern, Peggy came straight to the point to demand;

"What did he do to her?"

Shaking her head, Allyn became all business as she set her bag on the bedside table before directing;

"It doesn't matter, we're going to get her taken care of and on the road to mending as soon as possible."

Already prepared for an argument, Allyn turned to face Aaron, her determination in the matter evident by the mask of stubbornness on her face;

"Now, I know that you're worried and I can certainly understand why. But you know that, until I've examined her and gotten her settled, the best place for you is downstairs with the rest of the men. I promise as soon as possible, I'll call you back up here."

Although he wanted nothing more than to stay right where he was, Aaron understood that he might well prevent Allyn from effectively doing her job, something he couldn't let happen. Without a word, he leaned over to kiss his wife's cheek, careful of the bruises before whispering softly in her ear;

"I'll be right downstairs. I promise you, my little love, I'm not going ANYWHERE."

Rising from the side of the bed, Aaron turned to Allyn and placed his hand on her shoulder to plead;

"Please, make her as comfortable as possible. And, please let me come back up just as soon as you can."

With that, and without another word, the women watched as Aaron hurried out the bedroom door and down the stairs. Shaking her head, feeling sorrow for him, Lottie couldn't help but recall;

"I've seen that man mad, amused, happy, and sad. You name it, I've seen it, but that's only the second time I've ever seen him like that."

Curious, Biddie asked;

"Really? When was the other time?"

Knowing the answer, Allyn supplied;

"The night they found Jemma after the Harmon's had taken her. She was very ill and Aaron was afraid that she was going to die, she might well have if he and her brothers hadn't of pushed themselves to get back here to Seattle the way they did."

Pushing her concern for her friend to the side, Allyn took up the mantle of a doctor once more as she became all business and began firing out orders;

"Alright, ladies, let's get to work!"

Having taken care of seeing to dismissing the guests, Kassandra, Ward, and Clancey hurried to join the Bolt/Stempel family at the Stempel home to wait for word of Jemma. There was no doubt of just how much blame Kassandra was shouldering for her father's actions as she sat quietly with her head down, afraid to speak. Despite his preoccupation with his concern for his wife, Aaron focused his attention as he heard Molly fussing as she entered the living room chasing after Jacob and Amie who, in their efforts to find their father, had split up to make chasing them harder as Jacob wobbled around one side of the sofa while Amie hurried around the other side. Out of breath, Molly bent over to brace her hands on her knees as she breathed hard;

"I'm sorry, Uncle Aaron...but they moved faster then I thought they could."

Bending to take his children in his arms, Aaron shook his head as he assured the girl;

"It's alright, Molly. They're probably confused and scared because they don't see their mother."

Seeing the confusion and fear in his children's eyes he wasn't surprised when Jacob patted his chest before demanding;

"Maw me, Da dee! Maw me!"

Laying her head on her father's shoulder, Amie titled her head to look into her father's eyes, reminding Aaron so much of Jemma that he felt a catch in his throat. Reaching her small hand up, Amie patted her father's cheek as she begged;

"Maw me, Da dee, ont Maw me."

Seeing the heartbreak on their brother-in-law's face, Josh and Jeremy rose to take their niece and nephew, but shaking his head vehemently, Aaron admonished;

"NO! Jemma and I knew that, when they were born, there are parts of being a parent that wasn't always going to be pleasant and this is one of them."

Lowering himself to sit in his chair, Aaron held his children in his lap. And, although he knew that they wouldn't fully comprehend what he was saying, Aaron began his explanation as he placed a kiss on the top of, first, Amie's head, and then Jacob's.

"I know that you two won't really understand this, but Mommy's upstairs in bed, she's not feeling very good so Dr. Allyn came to see if she could make her all well again. I promise, just as soon as Mommy is a little better you guys will see her."

Hugging them tightly as each placed their mouth against their father's cheeks in their imitation of a kiss, Aaron put them back on the floor before waving his hands towards Molly as he suggested;

"Now, why don't you two go into the kitchen with Molly and she'll get Aunt Julie and Aunt Candy to give you a cookie."

Watching as Molly took their hands in hers and walked them to the kitchen, Aaron noticed the strange looks he was receiving before Clancey crossed his arms to tilt his head as he lifted one bushy eyebrow to demand;

"Ya are aware, Aaron, that those little nippers of yers, no matter how smart, probably have no clue as to what ya just said."

Clasping his hands together as he leaned forward to brace his arms on his knees, Aaron left no room for argument as he stated his position;

"Clancey, when we learned that Jemma was expecting, Jemma and I made our minds up that we weren't going talk down to our children and that we would always tell them the truth; regardless of their age."

Aaron nodded towards the top floor;

"Jacob, Amie, and even Alex know there's something wrong with their mother, and while they don't understand why, they do understand that she's not here at the moment."

Shaking his head, Aaron stated adamantly;

"We swore we would always tell our children the truth and that means from day one."

Despite the temporary diversion, Aaron's mind immediately went back to the subject uppermost in his mind as the front door opened and closed as Jason rushed in. Having ventured from the kitchen, Julie, seeing her husband's rushed entrance quickly poured him a bit of brandy before approaching him. Taking the glass in his hand, Jason nodded his thanks;

"Thank you, darling."

Facing Aaron and his brothers, Jason questioned;

"Anything yet?"

Aaron shook his head;

"No, nothing yet. Allyn, Lottie, Peggy, and Biddie are still up there with her."

Hearing a knock on the door, Aaron looked puzzled until Jason explained;

"That'll be Mr. Webster, he was seeing to the telegram with Ben while Swede and I were making sure that Everston's securely locked up."

Shaking his head, Jason related;

"Aaron, I'm sorry, but I wasn't comfortable with leaving that man unguarded, even if he is locked up and passed out."

Having risen from his chair to lean against the fireplace mantle, Aaron ran his hand through his hair, trying to maintain his hold on his patience as he asked;

"Who did you get?"

Ticking the volunteers off on his fingers, Jason went down the list of names;

"Well, Harve, Billy Sawdust, Canada, Dave, and of course Swede. But, we can always get more men if we need them."

Entering the living room, Barnabas greeted;

"I apologize for being late, Mr. Stempel. How's Miss Jemma?"

Raising his hand to halt the man, Aaron eased his concern;

"That's alright, Mr. Webster. But please, call me Aaron, after everything you've done on our behalf you're a man that I wouldn't mind calling a friend. As far as my wife, we don't know yet, the doctor hasn't finished examining her yet."

Nodding his understanding, Barnabas detailed the steps he had taken to help ensure that Carlin Everston would be brought to justice for his crimes.

"Mr. Perkins and I wired Tacoma, the marshal will be here tomorrow to take Mr. Everston into custody. I think that once the marshal arrives we can decide on what charges would be best pursued, if that's alright with you, Mr...Aaron."

His head leaning against his arms as they rested on the mantle, Aaron agreed;

"Fine, I trust your judgment, that's why I asked you to be our legal counsel."

Aaron's head shot up as he heard the sound he felt he had been waiting a lifetime to hear; the sound of the bedroom door upstairs opening. Hurrying to the foot of the stairs Aaron stood expectedly as Lottie gave a slight nod;

"Allyn said you can come up now, Aaron."

Taking the stairs, two at a time, Aaron hurried up the staircase to enter the bedroom that he shared with his wife. Despite the presence of others in the room, Aaron's only focus was Jemma, so much so that he went straight to sit on the side of their bed, taking her hand, noticing that it had been bandaged, as he took it in his. His face a stern mask that reflected his concern, Aaron reached out to push a stray curl from her face before glancing over his shoulder to demand;

"Allyn, I want the truth, will she be alright?"

Turning to Biddie and Peggy, Lottie made a sweeping gesture with her hands;

"Alright, ladies! I think we should go downstairs and see about feeding everyone."

Placing her hand on each girls' shoulder, Lottie smiled warmly;

"You two need to practice for those two eager young men waiting downstairs."

Stopping them before they could leave, Aaron called out;

"Ladies! Peggy, Biddie!"

Stopping, both waited as Aaron offered quietly;

"Thank you for everything that you've done to help Jemma and our children, I'm in your debt."

Once the door had closed behind Lottie and the two young women, Aaron pleaded;

"Allyn? I want the truth, no matter how bad it might be."

Settling herself in the rocking chair, Allyn explained the findings from her examination;

"To begin with, Jemma came to for a few minutes. Her most immediate concern seemed to be making certain that you're aware she wasn't 'accosted' in the worst way imaginable."

Aaron couldn't help but sigh in aggravation and regret as he gently brushed the back of his fingers over her uninjured cheek before shaking his head;

"I know he didn't, Allyn. Thank God, when I went looking for her I scared him so it stopped him. But, he had knocked her out and I think she's trying to convince herself of the fact more than me."

Noticing how Aaron seemed intent on maintaining some type of physical contact with his wife, Allyn suggested;

"I think that when she's fully awake and aware you would be the best person to convince her of that, especially when she finds out that you're the one who stopped him. Now, as far as the rest; the bruise on her face will fade, there's no permanent damage to her cheek or her jaw, although both will be very soar and cause her pain for the next few days. As you can see, I've made certain those 'marks' on her neck were cleaned as well as bathing them in alcohol to clean out the germs and prevent infection. I'm going to leave some salve and I want you to make sure that it's rubbed into those places at least twice a day. I'm fairly certain that they'll heal without scarring, but the salve will help."

Dreading the next part, Allyn could only shake her head as she offered in sympathy;

"How Jemma doesn't have broken or cracked ribs, only the Lord knows, it's a miracle that she doesn't, however, they are very badly bruised. Lottie and I wrapped them so that should make things a bit less painful for her. As for the injury on the side of her head; I finally got it to stop bleeding, she definitely has a concussion. I'm going to keep a close eye on her for the next few days; all in all, I'm confident in saying that she'll physically recover."

His mouth a grimace of worry, Aaron pointed out;

"You said 'physically' recover, she'll be alright mentally too, right?"

Sighing, Allyn could only shrug;

"Given Jemma's spirit and strength, I feel like she will. But, Aaron, what happened to her, what she went through was terrifying, it may take time for her to come to grips with it. I know that I hardly need to tell you this, but just be patient with her and let her come to you when she needs to. But please, if she seems 'withdrawn' at times, just be patient and understanding with her, not that you usually aren't"

Allyn knew that she hardly needed to offer the advice that she just had to the man in front of her, especially given the way he turned to glance lovingly at Jemma as he reached out to lightly brush the hair away from her face. Noticing the tender way he held his wife's injured hand, Allyn observed;

"She didn't break any of the bones or what have you, she just broke the skin and bruised her knuckles. But I have to tell you, I'm guessing that he must be wearing some serious bruises and what have you, she had to have been hitting hard to do that."

Despite the seriousness of the situation and his worry for her, Aaron couldn't help the slight chuckle of amusement at Allyn's statement as he gazed lovingly on Jemma as she slept before issuing, his voice full of pride;

"Jemma does nothing half-way, Allyn, and considering just how tough she is, you better believe Everstons wearing some serious bruises thanks to my wife. He made the same mistake a lot of people have made over the years; they see how small she is and they assume she's weak when the fact is, Jemma's just as tough as most men twice her size. In some cases, she's much tougher."

His mind turning to the more practical aspect of the situation, Aaron asked;

"Alright, so now that we know what we're dealing with, what do I do need to do to help her get well?"

Rising from the chair to reorganize her bag, Allyn began rattling off instructions;

"Let her rest and I'll tell you now, she will probably have a headache from that bump on her head for a day or two. Given that she has a concussion she may have moments where she's a bit dazed, so when she does wake up you need to ask her questions, just basic ones such as her name and so forth. Make sure to put the salve on those places on her neck at least a couple times a day; you and I both know the faster those marks heal and disappear the faster she can put all of this behind her. Now, as to her ribs, she is going to be very sore for at least a week or more, I want her in the bed and resting for the next couple of days at least, don't let her push herself, and don't let her pick up the children for at least a week, she can hold them if she's sitting but I don't want her bending to lift them."

Closing her bag, Allyn approached closer to the bed to look down on her patient as she held her bag in both hands before nodding towards Jemma;

"Outside of that, Aaron, just do what you normally do where Jemma is concerned, which is love her, and you'll leave no room for doubt that my patient is in very good hands indeed."

Turning to leave the room, Allyn stopped as she reached for the doorknob to remind him;

"I'll be back tomorrow to check on her. Like I said let her rest, but if you feel like there's anything, anything at all 'off' don't hesitate to send for me."

Satisfied with his silent nod of agreement, Allyn hurried from the room, leaving the couple in peace. Hurrying down the staircase, Allyn took a few moments to give a quick explanation of Jemma's condition before hurrying from the Stempel's home. Although she tried her best to always maintain a certain amount of professional distance from her patients, there were times, such as now, when Allyn found herself emotionally involved because the patient was someone that she considered a close friend. However, she was thankful for her knowledge and skill, and knowing that physically, at least, she was able to help Jemma recover. Hurrying back to her office she said a small prayer of thanks, a ritual she followed strictly whenever she finished with a patient, never wanting to forget just WHO it was she had to thank for any success she had where her patients' recoveries were concerned.