Chapter 3

I sat stiffly in my dad's office, waiting for him to get back from where the lead had taken the team. I looked through the glass walls and made eye contact with the alleged Susan Wright, but I turned away quickly. Jerry had to pull me out of the center of the room and he shut me away in the office. He threw something about calling Steve and me staying put over his shoulder.

That was my current predicament. I was glued to the couch cushion, frozen in a horrible world. Jerry thought I was going to have a panic attack or maybe he thought I was going to murder this woman with my bare hands. He practically had to drag my rigid body into Dad's office.

My eyes fell to the clock, it had only been an hour since Dad had left. He wasn't going to be back soon. I pulled my legs up onto the couch and secured them closely to my body. I laid my head on my knees and sighed. I felt myself shaking a little bit and I was almost certain I was on the verge of a panic attack.

The door slammed open, rattling the glass, and I didn't bother to look up. "What's wrong? Are you sick? Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?" It was Dad, worried as usual.

I shook my head, not willing to answer the questions he posed. I felt tears spring to my eyes and my heart raced as I continued to think about Susan; she looked a lot like Bill. I felt like I couldn't breath and I was gasping for air. Something was sitting on my chest. "Can't... Breathe..." I wheezed out.

"Jessa, honey, listen to me. You're panicking. You need to focus on my voice and look at me." I met his eyes, "Good, keep looking at me and focusing on my voice. I want you to breathe in for four counts and out for four counts."

Tears streamed down my face and I took shaky breaths. It was hard at first, but Dad kept talking and rubbing circles into my back until finally I was calm.

"Good! Are you better now? Did you have any other panic attacks while I was gone?" His eyes quickly searched mine.

"No." I shook my head as the word made its way past the lump in my throat.

A sigh of relief came from Dad, "Jerry called me and said something was wrong and I came as fast as I could. I left Danny at the place we were checking."

"Dad-" I began, but couldn't finish.

"What is it, Jes?"

"Susan Wright." I whispered.

He looked confused, "Who is Susan Wright? Am I supposed to know her?"

I shook my head. "I'm, Susan Wright." Came the female voice from the door.

Dad stood up and straightened into what I liked to call his intimidation stance. "Yes, and what exactly do you want?"

"To get to know my niece." She smiled at me and it finally dawned on my dad.

He stepped in front of me, "You weren't supposed to talk to her at all. I called Sara Croft and told her that Jessa would not be meeting with you."

I peeked around Dad's arm and watched as Susan stepped closer. Dad instinctively put his hand on my arm. "I know I wasn't supposed to meet her. I was looking to talk with you, I thought maybe you could see things from my point of view."

"Your point of view? All that I see is someone who is trying to stir up a girl's life after your brother already caused her so much pain." Dad growled, still holding me closely to him.

"That's not what I want to do at all. I just want to get to know my niece." Susan smiled sadly.

I tensed at her smile. Every facial expression she made was so similar to Bill's. Composing a shaky breath, I finally let a few words tumble out, "I made my decision and if you truly ever wanted to be in my life I think you need to respect that."

She nodded and turned to leave, "I respect your decision and I hope I can see you soon."

The silence enveloped the small office after Susan had left. Dad shifted his body so that he was facing me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." I stated and gave him a reassuring smile, but I think the smile was to try and reassure myself.

"Jes, you don't have to pretend." He said firmly.

A sigh passed through my tightly closed lip, "I know. She looks so similar to him and every time she smiled all I saw was Bill. It scared me, a lot."

Dad pulled me into him and I naturally wrapped my arms around his middle. "I will make sure she never comes close to you again."

I could feel him place a kiss in my hair and the tension release from his body. Silence enveloped the room as we stood there, father and daughter, bound tightly together.

"I'm sorry you had to come back early." I finally whispered.

He pulled slightly back and gave me a shocked look, "You never have to apologize for pulling me out of the field. You are my number one priority; making sure you're okay is the only thing that matters."

I nodded my head, my throat tightly constricted. The next few days passed by quickly and suddenly it was Thanksgiving. I had never had a big Thanksgiving celebration; it was always just my parents and I. Dad insisted that we host the dinner for the whole Five-O family and his family.

I hadn't met anyone from his family, my family, and I was extremely worried. I knew that Dad's mom and dad were both gone, but he had a sister and an aunt that he was close to. I prayed they would like me.

My feet touched down onto the cold wooded flooring of my bedroom and I groaned as I looked at the clock. Everyone would be arriving around two and that left me with just over an hour to get ready. I had been putting off getting out of bed all morning.

I took a quick shower and threw on a pair of jeans and a cute red top. I curled my long brown hair and added some finishing touches of makeup. My eyes met my reflection in the mirror and I smiled nervously. Without so much as a second thought, I bounded down the stairs and was met by a delicious aroma.

"It's about time you got out of bed! I need your help!" Dad called from the kitchen before popping his head around the corner, "Whoa! Don't you look good! Who are you trying to impress?"

I rolled my eyes, "I am meeting your family today."

He smiled, "They're your family too and they are going to love you!"

"Whatever you say." I smiled nervously and joined him in the kitchen, "What do you need me to do?"

"Could you set the patio table? It's really nice out and it'll fit everyone." Dad handed me a large stack of plates and I nodded my head.

I hummed quietly to myself and made the patio table ready for a Thanksgiving feast. I made many trips from the kitchen to the patio before finally finishing the table. "Dad?" I called and he slid the door open, "Good?"

He smiled widely, "It looks great, sweetheart! Everyone should be arriving in a few minutes!"

I nodded my head and followed him through the doorway. "Yeah, okay."

"Hey, remember what I said last night? You don't have to be nervous, okay? I am right here with you and I know that Aunt Deb will love you. So will Mary. Besides, everyone will be here and that should make you feel more comfortable." Dad kissed the top of my head just as the front door opened.

"Jessa!" Came the squeal of my favorite nine year old.

I turned just in time to be wrapped in a tight hug, "Gracie! I am so excited you could come! I have a little surprise for you after dinner!"

Her face lit up with wonder, "Really? What is it? Is it candy?"

"No!" I laughed, "You'll just have to wait and see!"

A long sigh came from Grace and she ran outside. Danny smiled at me and gave me a hug, "How you doing, kid?"

"Good, great!" I smiled.

"Steve, you told her not to be nervous right?" He raised an eyebrow.

I smacked his arm and rolled my eyes, "I know not to be nervous. I am not nervous."

Danny nodded his head, "Sure, whatever you say."

"Knock, knock!" Kono said as she, Chin, Malia, and Kamekona all walked in. "I found these criminals outside when I got here!"

A collective laugh came from the group and everyone began talking with one another. Voices ran together and I suddenly felt very dizzy. I backed up until my legs hit the front of a chair and I fell into with a loud thud. Silence.

"Jes, you okay?" Dad's worried face came into my view.

"Wha- oh, yeah! Sorry!" I laughed and shook my head, "I think I just need to eat soon."

He nodded his head and two more people walked in; an older lady and a younger one. I assumed these were my dad's family members. The older lady, Deb, looked kind and fun. Mary seemed the same way, but a little more closed off.

"Steven!" Deb exclaimed as her eyes found my dad. She wrapped him in a tight hug and he returned it. He did the same with his sister. "Where's that girl of your's?"

"This is Jessa." Dad stated, a grin sliding on his face. He pulled me out of the chair and braced me with his arm.

"I was talking about Catherine; who is she? Who are you?" Deb's eyes looked between Dad, me, and the rest of the room.

I looked up at my father and gave him a "you have to be kidding me look". He hadn't told them about me. He shrugged sheepishly and said, "Catherine left a few days ago and is back on the ship for a few more months. This is my daughter, Jessa."

"Daughter?!" Mary sputtered. It was the first thing she had said.

Dad nodded and suddenly I was swept into a furious hug. "Welcome to the family, sweet pea!" Deb said excitedly, "You can call me Aunt Deb."

The nervous tension dissipated from my body and I relaxed. "Alright, since that's out of the way, dinner is ready!" The crowd flowed onto the patio and took their seats, I sat down in between Danny and Kono. Everything seemed to pace by in high speed. I ate quietly and only talked when spoken to. The conversation never had a lull and I was thankful for that. I quickly finished my plate and made sure not to bring attention to myself as I walked inside.

The silence of my home enveloped me and brought me comfort. A long sigh passed through my lips and I sat my plate in the sink. I contemplated going back to the patio, but I decided against it. My feet lead me up the stairs and into my dad's bedroom. If they came looking for me, they would check everywhere, but here first. I sat down on the soft bed, basking in the quiet calm.

I knew I would have to go back sooner or later, but it was so peaceful right now. I'm not quite sure how long I stayed just sitting on the bed, eyes closed. The doorknob began to turn and Dad came through.

"I thought you might be in here." He smiled and sat down next to me, "Whatcha doing, Jes?"

I shrugged, "I just needed a breather. I'm not used to the loud family holidays."

Dad nodded, "Are you sure you just don't want to talk to Aunt Deb and Mary?"

"No, I mean yes! I just, don't want them to not like me."

"I don't know how many times I can tell you this before you get it, they will love you! I'm sure Aunt Deb already does!" He stretched an arm out behind my back and I fell gently into his side.

"I know, I know. I'll go down in a bit and talk with them." I smiled.

"Good! First, we are going to play some backyard football, you game?" Dad winked.

I jumped up, "Am I game? Of course! I love football, let's go!"

Surprisingly, the rest of the day, I talked and laughed with Mary. Grace got her surprise of candy and I got to enjoy time with my family. However crazy they may be. Things were starting to look up, Susan Wright was gone and the worry she brought with her was no more. Maybe I was back on a break from the bad things...

As promised, a new chapter! I hope you all enjoyed this one! I know nothing very exciting happened towards the end, but I need a time gap filler between the chapter 2 and chapter 4! Chapter 4 will be in the works, hopefully tomorrow! I need to tend to some of my other stories first! Again, I am so very sorry for the neglect, but I am back and better than ever! Reviews are welcome and I really hope you'll consider reviewing! I always love hearing from you all!

Until next time,

Theatrefreak10