Okay…for those of you who are liking my story and wanted more I apologize for how long it has taken me to update. I have been really busy getting ready to go to college because I was transferring to a new school and it is far away from my hometown. I was busy getting all of my stuff together and saying goodbye to the people I love and on top of all that I had to work a lot too. I'm sorry but here is a new chapter and I hope it won't take me as long to get the next one up. I plan to start working on the third chapter as soon as I have this one posted so it hopefully won't be too long unless one of my professors gives me a lot of homework. So here it is:

Layla had to stay at the Medical Center for another week before April allowed her to go to the Green's house. Jake spent every free moment that he had, even though there weren't many, at her bedside keeping her company. Although Layla loved spending time with Jake either talking or playing cards she was going stir crazy. At the end of the week she was so happy to be able to stand up and walk around they had to fight with her to get in the wheelchair. Finally Jake was able to coerce her into it just until they got to the door.

When they got to the Green residence Gail greeted them at the door. Layla had met everyone in Jake's family while she was in the center and she was relieved at how easily they had accepted her. Everyone else in Jericho watched her with weary eyes as if she was going to kill them all at a moment's notice.

"So Layla, dear, are you hungry?" Gail asked sweetly. "Can I get you something to eat?"

"Actually, the walk from the Medical Center tired me out more than I expected. Would it be possible for me to take a nap?" Layla replied with a somewhat guilty frown.

"Of course," Gail replied as she went to wrap an arm around Layla's waist. "I'll show you up to your new room."

Gail helped her up the stairs and then guided her to the last room at the end of the hall. The room gave off the same homey feel as the rest of the house with its rich wood and warm brown and red fabrics. As they both stepped into the room Gail gave her a small tour.

"We were able to get you quite a bit of clothing. There's some in the dresser and some more in the closet," Gail told her as she opened the door to the closet and then she moved and opened another door. "And this is your own bathroom. I put all your different hygiene things away in there. There's also a pitcher of fresh water if you want to freshen up before coming down to dinner. Well, I guess that's it so I'll leave you alone now." She started to walk out the door but then turned back around. "I almost forgot. There are a few more blankets in the chest if you get cold."

Layla gave her a big smile. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Green."

"Your welcome and call me Gail."

"Thank you, Gail."

When the door shut behind Gail Layla was left alone in her new room. She gingerly sat down on the chest at the foot of the bed and when she looked up she found herself staring at her reflection in the dresser mirror. She was wearing her Ravenwood uniform again which had been cleaned up as much as possible. Her hair was carelessly pulled back away from her face and she had a single bruise that was just beginning to fade running along her jaw line on the left side of her face.

With a grimace at her reflection she stood up and stripped the Ravenwood uniform off her body. Rolling it up into a ball she threw it in a corner. She opened a couple of dresser drawers before finding a sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants. She put these on and then climbed beneath the covers and went right to sleep.

About two hours later she woke up feeling much better and set about seeing what she had to wear. First she washed herself off a bit with the cold water from the pitcher. Then she found a robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and put it to use. After locating a brush she put her hair into order and pulled half of it back from her face leaving the rest to fall down her back in soft curls.

Searching through both the closet and the dresser she put together an outfit. When she was finished she was wearing a pair of distressed blue jeans that were the perfect size. She had found a plain black tank top which she wore under a red long-sleeved shirt. On the floor of the closet she found a pair of plain black ballet flats which were also her size. Gail had done an amazing job getting a wardrobe around for her. When she was done dressing curiosity pushed her to look in the jewelry box that was on the dresser. Inside she found a few simple but essential pieces of jewelry. She still wasn't ready to get rid of her dog tags so she just put on a pair of silver hoop earrings she found. Just before leaving the room she grabbed a black sweater from the closet and pulled it on as she made her way downstairs.

As she was heading toward the stairs Jake came out of his room and almost ran into her. He grinned at her as he looked her up and down.

"That outfit looks a lot better on you than the uniform and the hospital gown ever did," Jake commented as his grin grew.

Layla leaned against the wall and gave off an air of over-confidence. "Thanks but I know. The uniform and the hospital gown aren't tight enough to show off my hot bod." When she finished she gave him a teasing smile.

He stood before her and got so close that their bodies almost touched. "Not nearly enough." He ran a gentle finger along the bruise on her jaw. "I never asked. How did you get this?"

When she turned to look at him as she answered he let his hand just fall to her shoulder. He gently rubbed his thumb along her bare collar bone. Although she seemed unaffected by his caress he saw her pale blue eyes darken a few shades when he met her gaze.

"It was during one of the last patrols I went on…actually it was the last patrol I went on. A guy came out of nowhere and hit me with something. Luckily the rest of my squad was there to stop him from beating me to death because the one hit knocked me out." She laughed. "I actually think it knocked some sense into me."

Jake didn't know where the urge came from to gently kiss her bruise but he found himself leaning down to do just that. Before he could even get to the bruise Layla turned her head and caught his lips with her own. The kiss started out innocently enough but they both quickly made it a great deal more passionate. As Jake slanted his mouth across hers he leaned one arm up against the wall as he pressed against her. His free hand slid from its place on her shoulder to her waist and around to the small of her back.

Layla readily opened her mouth at his urging. One arm slid around to his back to pull them closer together while the other hand slid up to thread her fingers through his hair.

As the kiss deepened even more Jake began to roam his hand along her curves. Lost in the feeling of the kiss he didn't realize he had brushed her wound until she broke the kiss and gasped. The hand she had thread through his hair clutched her side as Jake stepped away from her.

He straightened his clothes and he actually looked uncomfortable. "I…I'm sorry," he blurted out.

Her eyes shot up to his. "Are you apologizing for hurting me or for the kiss?"

"Both."

A hurt look passed over her features but she was quick to conceal it from him. She straightened her clothes and glared at him. "Don't apologize. We both just used each other for a quick make out session and had you not hit my wound we would have just used each other for a quickie." She hadn't meant to be that harsh but her pride had been wounded. With a final glare she stepped around him and went downstairs.

When Jake finally came downstairs he found Layla happily chatting with his mom and helping her to set the table for dinner.

"There you are, Jake," Gail commented as she brought food in. "Dinner is ready so why don't you take a seat next to Layla?"

"Sure Mom," he replied.

They sat next to each other at the dinner table and talked to everyone but each other. There was suddenly a tension between them that everyone else could easily see.

The next morning Layla woke up and cleaning up she dressed and went downstairs. She hadn't meant to sleep as late as she had and after looking around the house she found herself alone in it. In the kitchen she found a small plate of food with a note from Gail underneath it. She said that she was at the Medical Center with April, Jake was hunting, and Johnston was most likely at the town hall. Gail invited her down to the center if she needed something to do and wanted to help out.

Figuring she might as well head down and help, she quickly ate the food and drank some water. She grabbed the brown pea coat that Gail had indicated as hers now from its hook next to the door. As she headed out the door she put on a scarf and gloves to fight against the biting cold. She was able to jog to the Medical Center and although it took a lot out of her she still felt invigorated in the end.

April and Gail were talking at the front desk when Layla came walking in. Everyone else in the building turned to look at her with fear and even accusing looks. She stuck her hands in her coat pockets and made her was sheepishly towards the two women who were smiling and waving her over.

"So did you come to lend a hand?" April asked with a somewhat hopeful gleam in her eyes.

"Please tell me you have," Gail begged. "I've been trying to get April to settle down a little since I found out about the pregnancy."

Layla cast a doubtful glance around. "I was hoping to but I don't think this town is ready to trust me that much just yet."

The other two women looked around and saw the looks the townspeople were giving Layla. They had to agree that their looks were cold and unwelcoming.

"Well, we can set you up doing something away from everyone," April suggested.

Layla gave her an unconvincing smile.

"Don't worry, dear," Gail comforted with a hand on Layla's shoulder. "Once they see that you really just want to help they'll come around."

"Thanks, Gail." Layla turned to April with a more confident smile. "What can I do to help where I won't be bothering anyone?"

"You could do some of the laundry out back and then cut up some of the older sheets into bandages," April informed her.

After Gail showed her where everything was and gave her a pair of scrubs Layla set to work. She worked hard until Gail found her a couple hours later suggesting they head home together and get something to eat. Layla agreed and after finding out that April wouldn't be joining them she grabbed her clothes and bundling them up started walking beside Gail.

When they got back to the house Johnston was the only one there waiting for them. Gail asked him where Jake was and he told them that he figured he was still out trying to hunt. They waited for only an hour more before Gail and Layla began to fix some dinner for just the three of them. April had told them that she was spending the night at the Center just in case but that she promised to take the next day off. After dinner Gail produced a very nice bottle of scotch and told them that she had found it in the back of Jake's closet. Johnston praised his son for hiding the good stuff before getting glasses for all of them and pouring each of them a small portion.

They had been sitting around chatting for awhile before Layla looked outside and noticed that it was getting very dark outside.

"Shouldn't Jake be back by now?" she asked in a concerned tone.

Johnston glanced at his watch and frowned. "He should." He thought for a moment. "Something has to be wrong for him to still be out when it's getting this dark."

Without another word Gail got up and grabbing her own coat and putting it on she brought Johnston his. He knew this meant that they were going out in search of Jake so he went to find them a vehicle and some gas. It wasn't very long before he pulled up in front of the house with a truck. As Gail made her way out to the truck Layla followed after her putting on her own coat. Johnston got out of the truck and came towards Layla.

"And just where do you think you're going?" he asked Layla.

"I'm going with you," Layla responded as if he should have known already.

"I was afraid you were going to say that. You are not going with us."

"Why not?"

"You're still healing. You shouldn't be going out on a night like this," Johnston warned.

"I feel completely fine and I think that there is a good chance that you might need me out there. I am after all a trained soldier," she told him in a tone that brooked no argument on his part.

"Let her come, Johnston. She might be able to help us," Gail agreed.

With a sigh Johnston turned back towards the truck and got back behind the wheel. He felt that he had a fair chance of beating Layla in an argument but he most certainly couldn't beat both Layla and his wife.

"Where do you think they went?" Layla asked as Johnston started the truck.

"I know that they were heading south of town so I figure if we head in that direction it will be our best bet," Johnston told her as he turned the truck around.

Well…I hope you liked it. Once again I ask that you review but I am still trying to get the hang of this so be kind. Like I said at the beginning I hope it won't take me as long to get the next chapter up so until then thanks for reading and I hope you liked it.

Vintagegrl