Sandy was being crushed under Jack; sand leaking out, as if bleeding, from his neck. He looked in pain as well. Sandy struggled to get out from under Jack, it was only when Jamie arrived that he was pulled out from underneath.
"Sandy! What happened?!" Jamie looked at the little Guardian in concern while he quickly bandaged up his friend with a nearby scarf as it was the closest thing he had to a bandage at the moment. He pointed to Jack and made a sand version attacking him for no reason; it was obvious Jack had been protecting Roxas. Jamie sighed.
"I'm guessing he sensed the creatures... their child was here. I found him and I guess they came looking for him which since Jack had one in him... I imagine that like me he can sense when they are around. It probably set him on edge. He must have thought you were one when you came in." Jack twitched as Roxas slowly, cautiously moved closer and poked him. Sandy seemed to cough up some golden blood, he needed medical attention:
Jack packs one hell of a bite and punch.
"Yeah... I imagine so. Let's get you fixed up." He picked up Sandy and carried him to the infirmary before the Guardian could protest. Roxas looked at Jamie and hugged his leg; scared out of his wits, he was so scared a streak of white was in his hair now on the left side. Jamie floated to the infirmary, aware Roxas was clinging to him. After leaving Sandy in the hands of the yetis he plucked Roxas off his leg.
"Shhh, it's alright sweetheart." He gently cooed to him.
"Daddy hurt Sandy." He had learned a bit over the years.
"He w-was so scary."
"Only because he thought he was protecting you from an enemy Lightning Bug. He and I love you very much, we'd do anything to make sure you're safe." He said gently, rubbing the boy's back. His hair seemed to sproing less as he grew.
"Papa, are dada and me monsters?" Wide innocent eyes wanting the truth.
"No, you're not monsters. You're just different."
"Different how?" It seemed about time to tell him what exactly he was since he didn't really know what he was.
"I think that's something your father needs to explain. He knows more than I do." Even after I found out the hard way... Jamie inwardly winced a little. He didn't like to think about that. He had forgiven Jack, after all, for lying to him but the fact that he still knew so little about the real Jack bothered him a little. Quivering, Jack had awoke, dazed and quite unsure of his senses at the moment.
"Jamie?" Jamie touched the bond, reassuring Jack he was nearby; he was heading back to the room with Roxas actually. Roxas giggled.
"Wook dada, hair change colors." As soon as Jack saw Roxas' hair he was yelling at Jamie to tell him what had happened; and in several different languages too.
"Calm down Jack, he was spooked, badly, is all."
"My poor baby." Jack petted his hair back, not noticing the flinch from Roxas. Jamie did though and reassured the boy over the bond.
He will never hurt you. He loves you, just as much as I do. Squealing, Roxas clung to Jack's hand as he was so much smaller; he fit still in the palm of Jack's hands, he smiled and decided to lose the "gargoyle look." He handed Roxas back and spoke a spell; he was then back to the way he had been before the transformation. The spell would only last if he believed it to be him. Jamie chuckled a little, watching father and son with part amusement, part pride because Roxas was his son too. Roxas giggled happily and Jack smiled.
"Jamie, got any bottles; he looks hungry." They still fed him blood when he needed it through a bottle.
"One left." Jamie replied, fishing into the sack of stuff he'd brought with them to the pole for the bottle.
"Goodness note to self make more recyclable bottles that recycle, clean and are ready for use." He said to a tape recorder he'd pulled from one pocket. Roxas looked at Jamie with a brief smile but it faded as soon as he saw the female creature.
"JAMIE!" Jack snarled, hackles raised.
"Don't move." Jamie froze, wondering what was going on exactly but he sensed it anyway... what was it doing here? The female was searching, not for her baby but something else; something right next to Jamie. Jack snarled.
"Get out of here." Jack growled at the male that seemed to appear from nowhere. Jack held Jamie and Roxas close as the female glared at the male to stop trying to take over Jamie; it had failed and they'd find less dangerous targets. She spotted it and picked up what looked suspiciously like a black and silver pacifier. Jamie narrowed his eyes at the two over his shoulder, but neither one seemed to be looking at either of them after that. Jack shook, ready to leap at the Nightstalkers if they dared tried any tricks.
"My love, this goal you wanted is pointless." The female says.
"What do you want?" Jamie asked outright as it occurred to him they're not here for the reason they were before.
"We need your help." The male seemed quite annoyed at having to say that. Jamie looked at Jack a little puzzled, but shifted in his arms so he could get a proper look at them.
"What with?" He asked, curiosity flickering over his features. Jack growled at the male who in turn sighed.
"It's our race, some no good light spirits, such as yourself, are killing us off; we mean no harm to anything more than you two." Jamie frowned. Light spirits? He'd never heard of any such thing.
"There is no such thing." The male simply glared.
"To you they're not, but us... they attack everyone of our kind; you can only see them if you're a shadow spirit." Jack gave Jamie a look that said 'this could be a trap.' Jamie gave Jack a look in return that clearly said he's not buying their story. This seemed just a little too convenient... Jack nodded a little.
"Sorry, but we're a little busy at the moment; we'll get back to you though." The male seemed to flick his gaze to the female.
"Please, you may not care for our kind but we care for your kind." Jamie snorted a little.
"I'm sure you do. Since you seem so inclined on taking us over... yeah, great way to show you CARE." Jack growled, feeling the need to spill blood.
"I think you should leave, and take your rat with you." He pointed to the trembling child.
"Pw-pwease stop fighting." He said before he buried his face in his mother's neck as she snapped.
"DON'T YOU DARE CALL MY CHILD THAT! HE'S ONLY A BABY YOU MONSTER!" She snarled, the male had to hold her back.
"It's not worth it, let's go." Jamie just glared, but he had to admit that was uncalled for as he watched them leave. Once they were gone he looked at Jack.
"Really? Was name calling THAT necessary?"
"Bad influence," He snapped. "and I won't have it near Roxas as well as you." He looked at the two who glared at him a moment.
"What?" Jamie sighed.
"I talked with the child... apparently Roxas and their child think they can stop our fighting by playing together. They don't want us fighting each other."
"How do you know it just wasn't a trick?!" Roxas kicked him in the leg and stomped away.
"OW! ROXAS! WHAT THE HECK?"
"HE GOOD, DADA, HE GOOD!"
"That was the reason I knew the kid wasn't tricking me. Haven't you noticed? Roxas can tell the difference. I thought that little 'encounter' with your 'friend' would have made that clear."
"What?" Roxas looked down when he came back over.
"Sorry for kicking you dada." Jamie ruffled the boy's hair.
"You're a good boy son. You meant well, I know. I just don't know how well they're going to want to listen to you. I'd rather they not fight us either, but it's not up to us." Jack looked down before kneeling and hugging Roxas.
"I'm sorry, I was being difficult." Roxas hugged Jack back.
"Hard not to be when they're threatening your way of life as you know it. Not to mention they'd wreak havoc likely if they had their way."
"You got that right." He held Roxas close. Roxas hugged Jack, sucking his thumb. He didn't understand why the grownups couldn't get along like he and his friend. Jack wondered that too but he knew the reason why, obviously. Jamie did as well, but explaining something like that to a child was like a human trying to push over a brick wall with their bare hands... it just wasn't going to happen. A few days later found Roxas looked outside longingly for his friend; Jack felt bad, if only there was a way to make it where this fight had never happened then Roxas would have a friend. Jamie sighed a little and went over to Jack.
"I know we don't get along with them... but I don't see why they can't be friends. As long as the two stay out of trouble..."
"Well I doubt the mother will trust us. After all I did just ruin the chances of Roxas ever having a friendship with someone his age."
"I doubt that Jack. If he's as stubborn as either of us... the friendship will weather this. I can think of ways around this, but getting the kid away from his parents will be the toughest part I think."
"Yeah." He looked down at Roxas who looked out the window as if his friend would come back magically.
"Crazy as this is going to sound... I'm going to try and see if I can't find them. At least maybe catch the mother and kid on their own. Talk with 'em if I can. Maybe we can work something out. I promise I won't approach the two if the father is there... Assuming I can even find them."
"Jamie..." He didn't like the sound of it, but looked at Roxas.
"Okay, okay, but do not try to talk to them if the male is there."
"I promise. I don't want that one in me anymore than you do, love." He said gently before kissing Jack lovingly.
"I'll be back soon squirt." He said to Roxas, giving the boy a peck on the cheek before leaving. Roxas just looked so sad; Jack tried cheering him up.
"Hey sport wanna play with your dinosaurs?" He looked at the forlorn child, hoping Jamie knew what he was doing. It took Jamie about an hour to find the trail of the kid.
Roxas just sort of nodded, he missed his friend, but he did want someone to play with.
"Hey, come on; let's play with your toys huh?"
The boy was just eating, a strange bottled liquid but it was red so it was obviously blood.
"I see they have something in common." Jamie said by way of greeting, but only once he's sure the male isn't around... The female hissed.
"What are you doing here?!" The young one tilted his head curiously.
"Wanted to talk."
"Talk." She snarled.
"Talk about what?"
"Well, it seems that your son and mine, despite everything, seem to have taken a shine to one another."
"What?" She stood tall with her baby in her arms.
"Merix will not be hanging with the likes of your so called spawn." The baby glared at his mother.
"MAMA I WANT TO BWE FWIENDS WIT WOXY! I WANT TO STOP FIGHTING!" Jamie gave her a shrug when she looked from her child to him.
"Look, I don't particularly like this any more than you do... but the boy has been sneaking around with our son already. Wouldn't you at least rather know WHERE he is rather than having to run about the planet looking for him all the time?" She nodded.
"Yes. I don't particularly trust Jack though about killing him." She snapped while Merix escaped his mother's arms.
"I wanna pway with woxy."
"I don't blame you. Jack doesn't exactly trust your mate to be within fifty feet of me or Roxas either. So it's mutual, but I think there's a solution that we can come up with if you're willing to do this for him." Jamie motioned to Merix. She sighed.
"If this is what our children want then I see no problem with it." She said as Merix looked at her with big red eyes.
"That was my thought as well. I've managed to convince Jack to allow this. I know you and I won't be friends anymore than Jack and your mate will be... but I think a ceasefire is in order... at least for their sake." She nodded.
"I will speak with him but I won't guarantee he won't try anything; trust me I've tried to get him off this for a while now for the sake of Merix."
"Well, sounds like our mates have something in common... stubbornness. Believe me, it wasn't easy on my end either. I'll set up a room for the boys to play in if you want to bring him over today. Whether you stay yourself or not will be an option." She nodded.
"I'd like to ask a favor; if Jack were to try anything against my child, I would like it if you'd protect him with your life as I will protect your child's with mine."
"Of course."
"Alright." She looked at the sleepy child, picking him up.
"It's his nap time, how about in an hour they play." Setting up a play date already.
Jack looked at the sad Roxas, at a loss as to how to cheer up his son now.
Jamie nodded.
"See you in an hour then." Jamie flew back to the pole.
"Jamie, I don't know what to do; all he wants is his friend." He said the moment Jamie came in.
"I've already arranged things. I did manage to find them. Sorry it took me so long." He knelt down next to Roxas.
"Hey sport, you want to help me get a room ready for your friend? We have a little while before he gets here." Roxas perked up instantly hopping happily.
"MERIX! MERIX! YAY!" Jack looked down happily at the boy as he ran into the room Jamie led him into to help. Jamie chuckled and the two of them set up several types of games and other things for the two boys to play with as well as a few books for Jamie that would be out of reach for the other two but would be something for Jamie to do while keeping an eye on them.
"Well what time is he coming over?" Jack was happy that Roxas was happy.
"In about an hour, it's his nap time right now."
"Oh, how old is this kid anyway?"
"No idea. You can ask his mother when they arrive I suppose." The mother came with her baby hugging tightly at the appointed time.
"You be good Merix, do everything Jamie and Jack says ok?"
"Yes mama." The boy toddled over to Roxas, they giggled and hugged, and ran into the other room.
"We'll take good care of him." Jamie nodded in agreement with that. She looked towards the room as if she may never see him again, and left. Jamie sat down in the room in chair he'd prepared and watched the boys as they dove into the dinosaurs first. Jack sat back, watching as well.
"It's great Jamie, Roxas has a friend now."
"Yup. Everyone needs a friend in their lives at some point." Jamie replied.
"I guess that's something I never really had as kid."
"I didn't either until I moved to Burgess." Jack looked at Roxas who was teaching Merix how to play right, not how he'd been doing it. Jamie can't help but smile a little at this.
"Oh," The boy nodded and did just as Roxas did, making Jack smile. "we should make them lunch; what does the young one eat?"
"From what I saw... same thing we gave Roxas as a baby, not the milk."
"Woah."
"Yeah. I really don't think they're that dissimilar to you and Roxas."
"Yeah, but we're not the same being. So, I'll be back with their lunch." Jamie nodded a little. There was no doubt they weren't the same species... but the same type in a way, perhaps. Jack smiled as he returned with a bottle and for Roxas, a cup of milk and meat that he had chopped into little pieces. Roxas immediately ran over to get his meal; Jack handed it to him as well as the bottle to the younger one who sucked on it happily. Jamie smiled a little, watching the two with something of parental pride. He didn't think he'd ever get over the feeling of wonder he'd get every once and a while, that Roxas was his and Jack's son.
"Let's see what movies you guys can watch hmm?" Jack looked through his VHS tapes for children appropriate movies.
"How about this one? One of my favorites when I was a kid." Jamie held up Dr Seuss' The Lorax.
"Alright." Jack popped in the VHS tape and the boys instantly switched their attention to the TV as they ate. Jamie picked up a book to flip through, his attention divided between it and the two boys. The female came back quicker than expected.
"My mate is looking for Merix; playtime is over for now." Jack nodded.
"You couldn't convince him." She shook her head.
"No, I'll try again later."
"Good luck." Jamie said.
"Bye Merix." Roxas said to his friend as the female picked the other boy up and disappeared with him. Jack looked consciously at Jamie.
"What if the male doesn't want this to happen?" He shook at the thought of Roxas' rocky relationship.
"We'll still find a way love." Jamie replied, putting a comforting arm around Jack. Roxas hugged Jack's leg happily.
"Dada find way."
"Yes son, we will." Jamie replied.
"What do we do?"
"For now, we wait. The ball is in her court."
The female had just made dinner in the cavern they called home.
"Um... honey, what if we were to stop this fight? I mean Merix needs a friend to play with... and it's the Roxas kid he wants to play with." The male just growled in response. She winced.
"C-come on, you know they're strong and protected; why don't we forget about the whole thing please baby." She was trying to butter him up and get him to let go.
"That was why I wanted them in the first place! I wanted a legacy for our family." He growled.
"T-They're really not that important, you have a legacy. Merix is your legacy; sweetheart, please." He didn't say anything this time.
"Love." She was quite worried now; Merix walked over, thumb in his mouth.
"Dada." He ignored her and looked at his son.
"What is it son?"
"Dada mwe wike pwaying withWoxy mwe wanna pwayt with Woxy. Pweas be fwiends with Jwack and Jwamie." He looked at him hopefully.
"You don't make friends with your food, son. You'll understand when you're older." Glaring, Merix bit his father's leg, drawing blood.
"I CAN IF I WANT TO!"
"Merix! IF I EVER HEAR THAT FROM YOU AGAIN I'LL GUT THE BOY MYSELF WHILE YOU WATCH!" He was fully infuriated by that point. Merix had tears in his eyes as he stared at him.
"I HATE YOU!" He ran into the forest; the female didn't know what to do so she left to find Merix.
Jack held his head as the male loved messing with it more often then Jamie's dreams because he knew it messed with Jamie. Jack groaned in pain.
"Jamie, I don't think they had a good talk."
"I imagine not." Jamie replied with a sigh.
The male dropped into a chair with a sigh... his father had said the early years were the worst... boy had he been right. Merix ran as fast as his little legs could carry him; the female was just as upset with her husband, but she wouldn't show it or else he'd go over there and harm something important to Jack and/or Jamie. Merix was quite fast and ran into the window of Jack and Jamie's temporary home, he had been flying; using his little wings, and broke the window.
"What the hell was that?"
"From the sense of things... Merix." Jamie replied and went to talk to the boy. The boy cried.
"DADDY IS GONNA GUT ROXAS!" He screamed and cried; Jack jolted, having followed.
"Why, what happened?"
"Mommy was trying to get daddy to stop attacking you and I got mad and kicked him and then he'd said he'd gut him!" He said between sobs. Jamie knelt next to the boy, gathering him close.
"Shhh, it's alright; we'd never let him do that." The boy cried.
"Mommy! Mommy! I need mommy!" Jack heard a loud crash through a window in the other room.
"And that would be her."
"Calm down, your mom is here okay?" He murmured reassuringly and headed for the room he'd heard the second crash in. Trying to soothe the boy as he carried him to his mother.
"My baby." She took him into her arms.
"Thank you Jamie." She looked down.
"I tried to convince him, but he's stubborn as an ass." Jack look down.
"I know, he's really messing with my head." Jamie nods.
"We know, I felt the backlash from it through Jack."
"I dont know why he won't drop it." She said, shaking as Jack held his head.
"Get out of my head!" He whimpered and walked away as Jamie and her talked.
"I don't know either, perhaps the clue is in something he said; did he say anything definitive?"
"Hmm he said you guys were lunch and his legacy, but I tried to tell him Merix was his legacy."
"Hmmm. Perhaps it has something to do with a legacy that has him acting this way." She nodded.
"Yeah, but he's infuriated at this point." Jack looked at the boys who were playing games to pass time.
"Yeah, got that impression alright."
"Quite. He may come down here and attack just to keep you on your toes." Jack growled.
"He touches my kid I won't hesitate to kill him."
"Calm down love." Jamie says before turning back to her.
"It is possible, we'll be able to defend ourselves fine though."
"Alright then, but I'm sorry; if I have to fight as well he'll only see me as betrayer and possibly kill me." She said before leaving, letting Merix say goodbye to Roxas. Jamie sighed a little at that, hoping that wouldn't happen. He didn't want Roxas without his friend nor did he think Merix deserved to grow up without one of his parents. Jack sighed.
"Jamie, this is gettin' out of hand."
"I know." Roxas went to his room to play alone.
"Roxas will make other friends, this is just too dangerous."
"Perhaps, but we must try... for both their sakes." Jack nodded.
"Yeah, we should." Jamie hopes that the female will have better luck a second time...
She returned to her husband, holding Merix to her chest.
"Go to your room Merix."
"But mama I don't wanna." She hushed him and closed the door gently, trying not to alert her mate right away. He was still brooding in the living room. She came in with something to at least try to brighten his mood; it was a fear from a child. He looked over at her with mild curiosity.
"I got you this." She said and tried to get him to cheer up a little. He looked at her curiously. Waiting for her to show him what exactly it was.
"It's a child's fear; you won't believe how easy it is to get such a thing."
"Really?" He tilted his head at her.
"Yep, it's quite easy." She handed him the bottle. He took the bottle from her, turning it over as he considered the contents before uncorking the bottle to take a small taste before recorking it. She wrung her hands.
"Look sweetheart, I was thinking... maybe we don't have to eat people maybe w-we could survive on fear a-alone." She was hoping he didn't get pissed. He closed his eyes a moment then frowned.
"Eat people? Is that what your parents did? Mine never did that... control yes... but we never ate them." He frowned in thought. She glared.
"Please, just drop it. They're not worth it and Merix really does need a friend, why not befriend them?" She was trying to change his mind. He sighed.
"You miss the point entirely I see."
"WHAT POINT?! WHAT IS THE POINT IN ATTACKING THEM REPEATEDLY WHEN THEY WILL PROTECT EACH OTHER TO THE FUCKING END?!" He winced a little.
"The point was not being a disappointment... for generations my family has been able to conquer the most powerful of humans. Any member of my family who has not was outcast... and... many were killed outright for their failure to secure a link to the family legacy. Those two are the most powerful... former humans around." She looked at him, shocked.
"Sweetheart, you won't be killed if you just prove that you're stronger than your family; they don't control you. You can be better, Jack and Jamie aren't all powerful... you know that."
"Yes, I know, but they have more power than the current most powerful human... who has already been overtaken."
"Please don't do this, just let them be." She was practically begging now.
"If you can find me a better target... I will concede to leave them alone." She sighed.
"Yes dear." She left the room, sobbing was heard and Merix, who one day would grow up and surpass his father in power, angrily yelled.
"YOU HURT MOMMY! YOU NEVER WEARN!" He ran to comfort her. He simply sighed at his son. One day he would have to explain things to him as well...
Jack growled.
"Jamie, I don't think that talk worked at all..."
"No, I don't think it did either." Jack clenched his fists.
"I'm sorry Jamie, but this isn't going to work; it's either us or them. I'm killing the son of a bitch tonight if he even tries slipping into one of us." Jamie just looked at Jack in concern. He didn't like this really, but he's got a feeling there might not be a choice now.
The female fought against the male.
"NO! I WON'T TAKE OVER JACK, JUST DROP IT! WE DON'T WANT ANY PART OF THIS!" She snarled as Merix bit his father.
"NO, I WON'T DO 'WAT TO WOXY!"
"Then don't." He said coldly, shaking off his son and stalking out of the home. Tears started to well up in her eyes; the child glared at his father angrily.
"I'll stop woo dada, I wills." He then took off, his mother too upset to notice, after his father.
Jack was growling angrily as he felt an itch to kill the guy as soon as he saw him. The Nightstalker had gone out in anger, but not to the pole. Instead the creature stalked the children of Burgess. Jack groaned when he came back from a meeting with the other Guardians.
"Got a call out in Burgess, take care of Roxas, Jamie. I'll be back."
"Be careful Jack, I don't like the feel of things." Jamie replied.
"I'll be careful." He kissed Jamie, hugging his son and then left to see what the fuss was about. He stalked a group of kids who were out later than they should be, causing them to quicken their steps in fear. Jack tackled the being.
"STAY AWAY FROM THEM!" He snarled.
"You really are a pain Frost." He snapped.
"Why don't you just stay in the hole you crawled out from."
"You would just LOVE that wouldn't you? You're lucky I'm not in the mood to deal with you." He snarled and turned to leave.
"What got you so pissed at us?! For one you should listen to your family!" He snapped and took off.
"Keep your nose outta my business Frost!" He yelled at the retreating form.
"NOT IF I EVER GET A CALL YOU ATTACKING KIDS AGAIN I WON'T!" Jack snapped and left him there, icy cold winds beating his form down and about. The male slinks away, cursing up a storm as he goes. Jack returned, totally cheesed off, but he calmed down when he saw they have guests over. Merix was telling Roxas all about how he was born, minus the disgusting details.
"Papa told me I came from an orb." Roxas said once Merix was finished.
"Oooh, really? What's that?" Jack blushed a little at that as the female smirked knowingly at him and Jamie.
"Ask your mother to explain when you're a bit older." Jamie replied, a little embarrassed himself.
"Otay. LET PWAY!" He giggled.
"TAG YOU'RE IT WOXY!" He flew away with Roxas in tow.
"Stay indoors boys!" Jamie called after the two as they went flying off.
"WE WILL!" They said in unison.
"I found your husband and I've about had up to here. I'm sorry, but if we have to... I might kill him." She looked down, wringing her hands.
"I don't blame you." Jamie frowned thoughtfully.
"I wonder about that... I mean... you were so set on it earlier... why is he still alive?" Jack glared at Jamie.
"Bastard was lost most likely, he was feeding of child's fear."
"Lost?" He glanced over at the female. She started crying.
"Oh... he left us okay? He left us ! We tried to change his mind and he took off... I came here to warn you of him coming to attack but I didn't expect this." She sobbed, Jack sighed. Merix, hearing his mother cries, appeared and hugged her.
"It's otay mommy it's not your fwaults. Dada no fair wight now."
"I see. I don't mean to cause further pain but if we're to help you need to tell me what he said about his reasons." Jamie said after a moment. She sighed.
"That's the thing, he never said his reason, just his family wanted him this way."
"Hmmm, family can be an important influence. The saying goes: keep your friends close, your enemies closer... Is it possible that his family is what he has labeled us to be... an enemy?"
"Well, he is always pushing me to take over Jack and I refused so..." She blushed.
"I'm not sure what else."
"My question is this... why? Why did he suddenly shift from taking over Jack to me?"
"That one is easy, because Jack was well protected and he loved your strength. Jamie, you won't believe how strong you are and he also wanted me to take over Jack to have a family feeding off you all, but I won't do it. He's probably going to have his brother take over Jack and trust me Jack you don't want to have him in you; if you think my husband's bad wait 'til he gets here." Jack shivered.
"I DON'T WANT ANY OF YOU INSIDE ME!" He cried, screamed, then ran into the bathroom. Jamie was a little surprised at her answer but shook his head at Jack's reaction... he had seen that one coming.
"Take care of Jack for me, will you? There's something I have to do... if I'm back here too soon... well. I suppose you'll know then won't you?" Jamie gives the bathroom door a wistful look before murmuring.
"I hope this works... for you sake and his." He slipped out into the night. She looked down woefully, hoping Jamie didn't do what she thought he was about to do.