A/N: This chapter concludes the events from the episode and begins to deal with the aftermath. My goal is to post chapter 3 within the next few days and then hopefully, one to two chapters a week. If you enjoy this, please review.
Chapter 2
January 7
The next day starts out even worse. The lieutenant had told us last night that the FBI were sending agents to talk to us this morning and I inadvertently got into the wrong car outside the hotel, thinking it was the police. The man who all but forces me into the backseat is a minion of the Abruzzi family, which I didn't know until later. Seth had gone back into the hotel briefly to get his medical bag, when the car pulled up to the curb. When Seth walks back out, I'm almost in the car already. As he calls out to warn me and I turn to look at him over my shoulder, the fear in his eyes is obvious, as the man reaches into his blazer pocket for what must be a gun, telling me that if I don't get into the car, he will kill Seth.
That is all that this man needed to say, to ensure my compliance.
Seth, being the gentleman he is though, climbs into the backseat with me, determined to protect me if possible. The ride into the country is quiet, but alarming. We're sitting next to each other in the car, and every so often, Seth gives me a look, as though he is trying to convey assurance that we will be alright. I'm not sure I believe him, even though I want to. When we pull into a long driveway of what we later find out is the family attorney's estate, I start to reach for his hand, before stopping myself. Seth must have seen my halted movement though, because he reaches with his hand to close around mine, squeezing it lightly, right before the car is parked.
Upon arriving, we are told that after Seth's rudimentary surgery last night, Carmine Abruzzi took a turn for the worse and died. The Abruzzi family is now holding Seth responsible, despite there being no indication that anything Seth did caused the man's demise. When the family relays what has transpired, I try to convey that Seth is a true physician, always willing to step up to help anyone in need, as evidenced by the help he provided the Abruzzi family last night, while doing no harm as his calling requires. The idea that he could have done anything to hurt their father is preposterous.
Despite what I claim about Seth's medical skills, as well as the fact that I inform them that I do not take kindly to the fact that they have kidnapped us, the family isn't bothered. I suppose being part of organized crime, they have heard it all and have little concern for morality, other than perhaps a sense of loyalty within their family.
This situation is madness. The more time that goes on, the more likely it is that we will be murdered for what little knowledge we have of the family's criminal activity.
Over the years, my life has been in danger many times. Seth has lamented the fact often enough, worrying, especially when I have been in these situations far from home. It's in his voice when we speak on the phone; it's in his eyes when I arrive home. He never crosses a line to lecture or tell me how much he worries, but his anxiety is obvious. It's not as though I try to get in these precarious situations, but they happen anyway. I don't like that he worries, even though he probably would regardless.
This situation has been much more stressful, because while I am used to getting into trouble with unsavory people, I'm not used to Seth being involved and the primary focus. While neither of us are to blame for the situation we are in, we were the victims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this circumstance has shown me how hard it must be for Seth, knowing when I am in danger, he worries, as I fear for him now. Thankfully, we are together during this experience but due to the family blaming him for their father's death, for once, it puts him in more danger than me. Although, it's obvious that if they kill Seth, I will be collateral damage.
Being together here, I am scared and worried but trying my best not to show it. At least we are together. Recognizing that his worry for me in these types of situations over the years has been a way he shows love for me, my throat feels tight with emotion, wishing our relationship was the kind where I could simply reach out for a hug, not as a form of greeting or goodbye as it only ever is between us normally, but as a way to seek needed comfort.
There has never been a doubt in my mind that Seth loves and cares for me, but it has always seemed as though we had plenty of time to figure those things out when we are ready to slow down and retire in Cabot Cove. Life, as it has been, is pleasant and neither of us has ever pushed for more, even though I wonder why that is. But I can't think about that now. Our lives hang in the balance, and this is all too overwhelming. However, promising myself, again, that if we make it out of this, I will figure out my feelings for him and more importantly, what to do about them.
Once Seth is allowed to examine the body, he discovers that someone has stolen one of his syringes along with a medicine called digitoxin out of his medical bag. This must have been used to murder Carmine Abruzzi after the operation that Seth had performed in their home the evening before.
This news is horrifying, especially to Seth, as the tools of his profession were the means used in a violent way to commit murder.
My anxiety continues to build and mushroom almost out of control as the day drags on and there are threats against our lives by the younger brother, Sal, who is badgering the older one, Michael, to make a decision about us.
The family members have been watching our every move, not even allowing us to use the facilities without an escort. I try my best to call the police and give them some idea of where we have been taken, when Seth is escorted to the bathroom, but I am discovered before I can provide necessary details. Not long after, when I am beginning to think all hope is lost, the police find us somehow after my earlier call that had ended abruptly.
Putting two and two together, we confront Rosa, who confesses and is arrested. She looks at us ruefully, knowing she has been found out, but with minimal remorse. Hearing the woman tell us that she made the decision to murder her husband, as well as the hit man who botched the initial job she hired him for, by asking herself what Carmine would do, is heartbreaking.
Unable to imagine a wife who would do that to her husband, my legs feel like jelly after this deeply unsettling day, and I search for a place to sit down amid the tumultuous scene in the kitchen around us.
Seth must realize how tight my emotions are strung, as I feel his hand on my arm, steering me to the dining room table to sit down, pushing my head between my knees, telling me to breathe.
"Seth, I'm fine."
"No, you're not. I can see it in your eyes."
I want to argue. The last thing Seth needs right now after the past twenty-four hours is to be forced to take care of me. But sitting with my head between my legs, I feel him stroke the back of my neck, as the police come in to tell us that we need to be debriefed the next morning before we will be allowed to return to Cabot Cove.
Seth tries to argue, but it's no use. They drive us back to our hotel, both of us silent in the backseat. I hope the drive back into the city will allow him to forget my emotional reaction to this day, as I know we are utterly exhausted.
But he doesn't. Standing at my hotel room door, he motioned for me to open it.
"Seth, I'm going straight to bed. You don't have to worry about me."
"I'll be the judge of that. Our rooms join. If I go in and open my door that connects to yours, will you do the same?"
What? What is he thinking? It doesn't matter though. The thought of having him close by if I need him tonight is comforting. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it last night when I was upset. Nodding, I watch him go into his own room, and I turn my deadbolt and guard lock of my outside door, before walking to the connecting door to open it, just as Seth opens his side.
It's vulnerable seeing him standing there, our suite doors now allowing access to both sides. We often travel together, asking for rooms next to each other, but I can't recall a time, we have ever opened the adjoining room doors. I'm not sure why we haven't before.
I can't help myself though; I fall into his arms.
He wraps his own around me, and he groans from the impact of me leaning towards him heavily, causing me to attempt to pull away and apologize, but he tightens his grip instead. "Hush, Woman. You surprised me, that's all. Come over here," he says, leading me to the couch in my room. Keeping me close to his side, he encourages me to rest my head on his chest, and I feel him stroke my neck and upper back. I cry for several minutes, overwhelmed and unable to even explain all that I'm feeling.
Seth stays quiet, but alert. I think he is trying to fight his own emotions. Between having the head of this mob family die after he operated on him, only to discover later that his wife murdered him, while we were both kidnapped, thinking we would be killed, it has been a traumatic day.
Once my tears abate, I hear Seth clear his throat, "Jess, you didn't sleep last night, did you?" Shaking my head, he continues, "I'd like to give you a sedative to sleep. I think you need it to relax and calm down. Will you take one if I give it to you?"
I lean back to meet his eyes. "I don't need anything, Seth."
"I disagree. I'm still your doctor."
"Are you going to take one, too?"
"No, I'll be able to sleep no matter what. A perk of my profession. Since I often get woken up for emergencies, my body learned long ago to sleep whenever and wherever I could. I'll be out in no time. But I know you, and you will spend most of the night staring at the ceiling again. Won't you, Jess?"
"I suppose you're right."
Standing, he goes back into his room and returns with a pill in his hand and a glass of water. Watching as I swallow it, he says, "Go on and get ready for bed; that will take effect quickly."
He pulls me up to stand beside him and I nod my head. He stares at me, hesitant. It appears he is going to say something more, but instead, turns and walks to the door. Putting his hand on the doorknob, he starts to pull the adjoining door closed and I panic.
"No! Please. Will you leave it open?"
Our rooms are small suites both with king beds and a small sitting area with a couch and chair and kitchenette. But each suite is one large room, meaning that if we leave the doors open, we will hear each other and likely see one another in our beds and wearing nightclothes. I don't care though. The thought of being separated as we were last night when he was kidnapped for hours terrifies me.
His face registers a bit of embarrassment before confessing, "I snore, Jess. If I leave the door open, even with the sedative, I might keep you awake."
I move over to him, and reach for his hand, "I don't care. Please leave it open. I'm…scared."
His face changes and my vision blurs as my eyes tear up again, which is all it takes before he brings me to his chest once more, "Of course, Jess. Whatever you need."
My tears dampen his shirt, but he holds me a moment until I get back under control. I've been a blubbering mess since we returned to the hotel, but I'm too exhausted and upset to care. Before I pull away though, he surprises me by kissing my forehead.
"Now, go get ready for bed."
Nodding, I turn to gather my things, and I feel his eyes on me as I walk to the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
Ten minutes later, I turned off the bathroom light and walked to the adjoining doors, peering around the edge, hoping to get a look at him without him realizing. He's in bed, wearing blue cotton pajamas and reading. I am tempted to say goodnight, but I don't want to embarrass him.
Climbing into bed, I turn my light off and adjust my pillow and blanket around me. He must have heard me, because his bedside light turns off right after mine and both rooms become dark.
From his suite, I hear him say, quietly, "Goodnight, Jess."
I whisper back, "Goodnight, Seth."
Thankfully, the sedative works, and sleep finds me.