Present Day

"It's not funny." Will insisted but he was laughing too, though the pink tinge on his cheeks showed his embarrassment. "You try explaining to a six-year-old why mommy and her friend are having sleepovers. Again."

"Oh I'm sure that's a hilariously awkward conversation."

He just snorted and shook his head, so much like his brother, down to the look of concern when her own laughter made her wince in pain. "Well, maybe when you're out of here you and Jay can come over for dinner. I know Owen would love to meet you. He doesn't know Jay really either."

"Sounds like a good double date." She replied, squeezing his hand when it looked like he was about to start silently berating himself.

So much like his brother.

Or since he was older, Jay was like him.

Movement outside her room told her he was back, talking with Nate for a moment before he and whoever was with him, probably Josh since they were cousins, headed back to the waiting room to call Liam and let him know she was ready for visitors. As if he knew that Will stood, pressing a very soft, very sweet kiss against her forehead before he clapped Jay on the shoulder and slipped out, leaving the two of them to finally talk. They started by just taking each other in and she was surprised by how good he looked; he always did, even beaten and bloody. But he didn't look tortured right now, not even by himself. He looked annoyed but then he had just dealt with Malcolm, but more than anything he seemed… Certain. And relieved.

"You should say it."

"I'm not going to say it." He replied with a shake of his head as he carefully settled laid down beside her, his arm almost featherlight as it draped over her waist.

"You should. I think it'll make us both feel better."

He huffed before looking her over, his head giving another small shake before it pressed against hers. "I told you so."

He had.

Over and over, but she hadn't listened. Hadn't been able to she realized now which actually made her feel a little better. Tess might not always be the most self-aware but when she knew her problems she addressed them.

"I ran."

Jay sucked in a fast breath, so ready to defend her, even from herself. "We've been over this-"

"When they died." He fell silent immediately, instantly understanding exactly what she was speaking of. Who. "I ran. And I didn't stop. Not till I made myself."

There was quiet as he took in her words and it lifted another weight off her heart to see that one lifted off his, a guilt he realized he no longer had to carry. Because he understood, probably better than anyone that when her mind was set on something no one could tell her otherwise. Not even him, though that was something else she resolved to work on.

"And now?" He asked gently, like it didn't matter to him whether she wanted to stop or keep going, because he knew he'd be beside her no matter what.

And she was tempted.

Even knowing it was cowardly, that it probably wouldn't even work, that there was no corner of the globe she could flee where her problems or enemies wouldn't find her, or new ones wouldn't arise, it was so fucking tempting. The images that filled her mind of hiding away with him on some remote tropical island or in the middle of the woods somewhere made her heart go tight with longing, but it was a fleeting feeling.

Because what she wanted more than anything was to be here.

To build a home here.

"I don't want to run anymore. But we have to keep fighting."

His next breath in was slow and deep but steady, the same confidence filling his mossy green gaze as it ran over her face. "We're going to win."

Wouldn't that be nice?

It seemed a little impossible right now, certainly without some big losses, but if he thought they would then who was she to doubt him?

"To our end."

"No." Jay said with a small shake of his head as he gently ran his thumb across her cheek and down her jaw, his smile soft but sure. "To our beginning."

Now that sounded nice.

Like something worth fighting for.