Disclaimer. As per Chapter One. If you recognise it……etc.
Chapter Five.
The Truth, The Whole Truth…..
"You spoken to a cop yet?" Asked Faith.
"No, why?"
"Coz he's gonna think you're a nut job. That's why."
"You mean, ..they don't know about……."
"They don't all know. Some do an' they're Ok. Others, they keep away. Scares the shit outta most of 'em."
Faith had ended up giving Audrey a brief history of the demonic populace of Cleveland, and the Slayer. Her. Not too much at once. Keep it simple.
Actually, Audrey seemed more relaxed. Might have been the medication, but it was highly possible that, being the normally rational person she was, the explanation had alleviated her own fears that she might just be going nuts.
"Jack!" She suddenly blurted out. Her eyes filled with tears and they rolled down her face. Faith looked on in surprise.
"Huh? Who's Jack? I don't know Jack?" Said Faith, frowning first then, realising what she'd said; she shook her head.
Audrey wiped her eyes on a tissue.
"Jack Bauer. …. It's why I got drunk."
"Bummer. What did he do. …..Dump ya?"
"No, no. He was kidnapped.."
"What, last night!" Faith was on alert.
"No. Six months ago."
Faith was confused "Did I miss something here?"
Audrey told Faith an abbreviated story of Jack's last case and the fact that prior to that he'd been out of circulation and listed as dead to avert the attentions of the Chinese.
She'd just finished when a gravely voice came from the other side of the door.
"This one?"
There was a knock.
"Come in." Called Audrey.
The door opened. Her father's head appeared in the gap. His face was a picture of worry, which changed immediately to a creased smile on seeing his daughter safe, and as reasonably well as expected, under the circumstances.
"Hiya sweetheart. How are you?" He came into the room, gave her a peck on the cheek and held out a large bunch of flowers. "I gotcha these on the way in."
"Dad. They're lovely, thanks. Could you put them over there, I'll get them seen to in a while."
He turned to put the flowers on the table…..And spotted Faith.
"Hi, Jim."
"Faith, er Ms. Lehane? What are you…..Oh my god! ...So it wasn't an accident then."
"Nope. More like. Daddy didn't tell me the facts of life, an' I got bit by a vamp!"
"Is she going to….turn?…"
Nah. She's Ok. Look, sunlight an' a pulse. The whole nine yards."
"And she's sitting right here!" Came Audrey's raised voice. The both looked at her.
"Sorry." They chorused.
"How? ….. How did this happen?" He looked at Faith who backed off with her hands raised in truce.
"Hey, not for me to say." She said.
Audrey spoke up. "It was my own fault dad. Although, had I known, I might not have walked into a demon bar, and gotten drunk with a vampire next to me."
"You were drunk!? You don't drink!" He said.
Audrey burst into tears. Her father sat on the edge of the bed and held her. Faith made for the door, not wanting to intrude.
"Faith." Said James.
She turned.
"Thank you for saving her life."
"Faith nodded. "It's what we do." She said. Opening the door, she left them alone. They both needed to talk, and explain...
End of Chapter Five.