Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2008 12:48:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Ann Reilly <ann.reilly@yahoo.com>
Subject: Laws of Love-Part 5

Jay woke up a couple of hours later. Her phone was ringing. When she looked
at the display she didn't know the number. Before she could decide whether
she wanted to answer or not it stopped. She was just snuggling back into
bed when it started ringing again. This time she just picked it up.

'Jooste.' She grumbled.

'Hi Jay it's Reilly. Look I'm sorry to call you so late. I just wanted to
let you know that I just got here and am on my way to Angus's. I'll come
and check on you guys tomorrow.'

'Thanks I'll tell Alex. How was your flight?'

'Sweetheart, I think we can talk later go back to sleep.' Reilly chuckled
at the display of manners from Jay even when she was half asleep.

'Ok, goodnight.'

'Goodnight Jay.'

Jay just fell back into bed, then felt Alex roll towards her. She was
tightly rapped up in Alex's arms before she was asleep again. She only woke
up when her alarm went of, she turned it out as fast as she could, she
didn't want Alex to wake up. Alex was still very much asleep, in her usual
manner. Jay chuckled, she couldn't believe that she could sleep with all
that, but yet she had never slept better. Jay got dressed and went into the
living room. She just wanted a few words with her sister before she left.

'Jane!' Jay shook her sister. 'Oh come on. Wake up!'

'Wha happen?' Jane mumbled still half asleep.

'Get up, I need to talk to you.'

'I'm sleeping!' Jane tried to protest, but Jay ignored her and pulled her
blanket of.

'Slave driver!'

'Bum!'

'Oh, shit it's to early in the morning for this. My mind is still fast
asleep. Coffee?'

'In the kitchen now get you ass out of bed!' Jay called already moving to
the kitchen, she knew she had won this fight.

'Ok what's burning?' Jane asked as she walked into the kitchen. 'I was
having the most wonderful dream, until someone woke me up.'

'Sorry, but you have some more explaining to do.' Jay stated, what Jane had
told her last night was not the complete truth and Jay knew it.

'I don't know what you mean.'

'Oh let's not play this, I'm way to tired, and I still have to go to work.'
Jay glared at Jane. Jane finally shrugged, took the cup Jay offered and sat
down.

'I had a fight with mom.'

'About?' Jay asked knowing the answer, it was always the same.

'About my writing, and how I was throwing my life away just like you.' The
all to familiar sting still caught Jay.

'Me?'

'Yes, you. This time she went to far, she even talked to that fucking
bastard of an ex of yours. I just...' Jane saw all the colour drain out of
Jay's face. Her ex was someone she never talked about. 'Oh, Jay I'm so
sorry.'

'It's... It's fine, I'm fine.'

'Why won't you just talk to me about it?'

'Look, I have to go to work, will you look after Alex for me?'

'Some day you will have to tell someone what the fuck happened!' Jane tried
one last time.

'Just take care of Alex for me. I'll be home tonight.'

Jay left without another word. Her head was somewhere else, somewhere she
didn't want it to go, but it always went there. She could just not get it
out of her head, try as she may.



Alex woke up a couple of hours later, she felt great until she moved. She
hurt in places she didn't know you could actually hurt. She must have
grunted lauder than she meant to because Jane stuck her head into the room.

'Ah it lives.' She remarked with a wink. 'You hungry?'

'Starving! Where is Jay?'

'She's at work, are you going to join me or do you want a tray?' Jane
asked, she hoped that Alex would join her.

'Give me a minute, I think my body is not done kicking the shit out of me.'
Jane laughed and went back to the kitchen.

'God that smells good!' Alex said when she finally managed to get up. 'You
and your sister are something.' Jane laughed.

'Yes, we do know how to cook, if that is what you mean. So I'm going to be
very rude. Tell me about yourself.' Alex's jaw dropped to the floor. As shy
as Jay was the opposite seemed to be true about her sister.

'And you are sure you are related to Jay?'

'Well that is what my parents keep telling me. Why?'

'You are so...'

'Nosy and exactly the opposite of shy?' Jane asked, having been asked that
many times.

'Yes, I guess that's it.'

'You know Jay wasn't always like she is now. Ok she was on the shy side,
but she had friends, and was well liked. Then her ex got his claws into her
and she changed.'

'What happened there?' Alex asked and could see Jane realise her mistake.

'I thought you knew. I shouldn't be the one telling you about this.' They
were silent for a while, neither wanting to really let the subject
drop. Before they could say anything else the doorbell rang. 'I'll get
that.'

Could that be it? Is that what Jay is hiding? But why, what could have
happened that would make her so scared to talk about it. Mhhh, there's
something else about what Jane said that is bothering me. I just can't put
my finger on it.

'Well I think these belong to you,' Jane joked leading Reilly and Shane
into the kitchen. 'because I've never set eyes on them before.'

'What?' Alex was just a bit startled.

'Good morning to you to Alex.' Reilly chuckled and kissed Alex on top of
the head.

'I'm sorry, I was somewhere else.'

'We noticed that sis. Now why don't you make the introductions, because
this does not look like Jay.' Shane winked towards Jane.

'Oh, of course. Mom, Shane this is Jane. She is Jay's sister.'

Everyone got to know each other. Alex and Jane ate while they chatted with
Reilly and Shane. They were having a good time, distracting Alex from all
her previous thoughts. But in the back of her mind it was all still there,
and Reilly must have seen this. She ushered Jane and Shane out onto the
balcony, saying she was going to help Alex do the dishes. Shane saw the
look on his mother's face and guided Jane outside when she tried to object.

'Sweetie, how are you really doing?'

'I'm fine.' Alex looked at her mom and knew she didn't believe her for a
second. 'I'm fine!'

'Yes, so you've already told me. Now cut the damn crap and tell me. For
heavens sake you were shot! You could have died and all you have to say is
'I'm fine.' sweetie I wasn't born yesterday.'

'Fine! You want to know how I'm doing? Really? I'm scared out of my mind! I
don't know what to do! I'm worried sick, because I'm bringing the people I
love into danger! I am happy and content and I just don't know what emotion
is beating which over the head! I'm so confused.'

Reilly gathered Alex in to her arms rocking her. She knew to give Alex time
to digest what she had just said. Then they would talk. After a while she
felt Alex relax.

'You know it's perfectly normal what you are feeling.'

'Normal? Is it normal to be scared and content at the same time, because if
it is I don't think I like normal.' Alex objected jokingly.

'Sweetie, you are feeling those things for different reasons. You are
scared because there is someone trying to shoot you. But you are content
and happy because you are in love. Not a little but completely, and you
know that Jay feels the same. That is a very powerful bond.'

'But how can I feel them at the same time? I just don't understand this.'
Alex motioned with her arms. 'Any of this.'

'Life happens, the good with the bad. And Alex there is more good than bad
in your life.' Alex was silent for a while. She was thinking things over.

'I guess you are right, but I'm still worried.' Reilly put her finger on
her daughters lips.

'Don't be. Sweetie you have your whole family looking out for you, and we
won't let anything happen to you. Plus you have Jay and she loves you.'
Alex knew it was true, but then why wasn't she talking to her?

'Mom, can I ask you something?' Alex asked after thinking about it for a
long time.

'Anything, you know that.'

'Did you and dad know all the secrets of the other?'

'Why would you ask something like that?'

'Please could you just answer, it's important to me!' Alex begged.

'Ok Sweetie, but then I want to know why. No me and your father were in
such a hurry to get married that we never took the time to get to know each
other inside and out, that was also what drove us apart in the end. There
were to many things that we just didn't know or thought of before hand. We
were lucky, we parted on good terms, because at one time we really did love
each other very much. And that love gave us you two.' Reilly watched as
tears filled Alex's eyes, she didn't know why, but had the feeling it had
to do with Jay.

'Thank you.'

'Now tell me why you wanted know.' It was an order in that motherly tone
that every one knows never to disobey.

'There is something wrong with Jay. I can see it and I think she knows that
I am suspicious, but she just won't talk to me!' Alex was getting
frustrated. 'I think it has something to do with her ex.'

'Alex maybe you are just reading to much into things. I think Jay is just
stressed at the moment...'

'No! I saw it before al this happened, and then again last night when Jane
turned up. Jane slipped up and told me that after her ex was done with Jay
that she was different. I just know it has something to do with that.'
Reilly saw the worry and hurt in Alex's eyes.

'Then there is only one way to clear this up. You have to talk to her.'

'I've tried! She always distracts me before I can form a sentence.'

'Alex, you have to find a way or you both will go crazy.'

Reilly left Alex to think about things. She joined Jane and Shane on the
balcony. The two were having a lot of fun, laughing and joking like old
friends. Reilly thought she saw something there and thought to her self
that that would be just like fate. But then she wouldn't mind, if Jane was
just half as sweet a person as Jay she was a treasure.




Jay had a very bad day. She could not concentrate, messed up on more then
one occasion. Luckily Saints was there. He took care of things. He
understood, Alex was under threat and it was killing Jay to be away from
her. When she finally was done with her shift she tried one last time to
get some new information on Alex's case. The line was still 'nothing new to
report'. So she made her way home, home to her family. The thought made her
smile. When she walked into the apartment she finally relaxed.

'Gatkramp get your ass in here!' Jay called for her sister, forgetting that
Reilly had promised to check in on them. 'Hey if you don't come now you
won't get dinner!'

'Now that wasn't exactly the hello I expected.' Reilly chuckled as she came
to where Jay was hanging her coat. 'But then I'm on your turf.'

'Oh, I'm so sorry! I thought you were Jane! I would never...' Jay was
silenced when Reilly gave her a big hug.

'I know, I guess I just like to see you blush. Alex is right, you look very
cute like that. Now tell me how are you?'

'I'm glad to see you.' It slipped out before Jay even had the time to think
about what she was saying. Then she realized it was the truth. 'I'm just so
glad to see you.'

'Jay, you know there is nowhere I would rather be at this moment.' Reilly
was again very touched at Jay's gesture, she hugged her a few more minutes.

'Where are Jane and Alex?'

'Oh they went shopping.'

'Oh god help us all. Those two together in a store?' Reilly laughed, seemed
that Jay was already doing a bit better.

'Jane that bad?'

'Worse!'

'Then we'll have to pray that they leave the store in tact.' Reilly was
about to suggest that they go to the kitchen and get something to drink
when the telephone rang. The second Jay saw the display Reilly could see
the tension come back across Jay's featured. Who ever it was, Jay wasn't
happy to hear from them.

'I'm sorry Reilly this is going to take a while. Why don't you get yourself
something to drink an I'll take it in my study?'

'Sure, just take your time.' Reilly went to the kitchen wondering who could
get Jay that stressed with a phone call.




This is all I need! Oh no I don't have enough stress. Let's just pile up
Mother on top of Jay to! What the hell did I do?

'Jooste.' Jay answered the phone in a crisp and cool tone.

'Hello Johanna this is your mother.'

'Hello mother. Now this is a pleasant surprise. How are you?' It was
killing Jay that this was what her and her mother had come to. Talking like
strangers on the phone once in a blue moon, and this time it wasn't even
about her.

'Me and your father are doing well. How are you?'

'I'm doing well. I'm working hard.'

'Yes, whose fault is that? No ones but your own.'

'Ah there you are. A whole minute, wow mom you have become good. Are you
calling because you disapprove of my job?'

'You know exactly why I'm calling! So don't play dumb with me!'

'I don't know why you are calling why don't you inform me!'

'Johanna I don't have the time to play silly games with you! Give me your
sister right this minute!' Jay's mom screamed at her.

'I can't she isn't here. But I'll be sure to give her a message.'

'You make her come back home, or else!'

'Or what! You won't talk to me any more? You will treat me like the hired
help! WHAT?'

'You turned her head towards this nonsense. Writing, what sort of a job is
that.'

'She is a brilliant writer! And she is a grown up, she can make her own
decisions.'

'If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't have left!'

'Now it's my fault that Jane is an intelligent woman? Well that I think I
have nothing to do with! Although it is the nicest thing you have ever
accused me of.'

'She is throwing her life away just like you did! You were engaged and then
you threw it away! For what? To become a Police officer?' Jay's mom all but
spat the words out. 'You left Peter without even telling him where you were
going!'

'Do not go there! I told you never ever to speak of that man again!' Jay
was now on the verge of loosing every last shred of the relationship there
was left between her and her mother.

'Why not! He is the best thing that ever happened to you and you ran away!'

'The best thing that ever happened to me? You have to be high!'

'At least now he can stop worrying about you!' Jay was suddenly cold from
head to toe.

'What do you mean?' Jay asked softly.

'I saw him the other day and I told him where you were. The poor man...'
Jay lost it.

'YOU DID WHAT? YOU PROMISSED! YOU PROMISSED!'

Jay hadn't heard the door open when Jane and Alex got back. She was
screaming at her mother by that time. Alex heard enough to want to rush in
there and make it better, but Jane held her back. But when they heard the
last scream and then a thud they were both in the study in a flash. Jay was
rolled up in a ball and couldn't get air.

'Oh god. Beautiful what happened?' Alex asked trying to pick Jay up. Jay
just rolled up tighter. Jane in the meanwhile was on the phone with her
mother. After a minute she hung up. She now knew what happened. 'Mom!'

'I'm here, what happened?' Reilly asked kneeling down next to Jay.

'I don't know! She was arguing with her mother then we heard a thud.' Alex
was beside herself, Jay would not let her even touch her.

'She's having a panic attack. Jane has she ever had one before?'

'Yes, it's been a couple of years since the last one.'

'What caused it?'

'Her ex, and that is what caused it this time.'

'Alex go to her bathroom and see if you can find a sedative or something
like it. Jane you help me get Jay into her room.'

Everyone did as they were told. Alex found some sleeping pills, nothing
more. Jane and Reilly managed to get Jay to her room and out of her
clothes. When Alex came back she was in bed still curled up.

'I only found these.'Alex showed her mother.

'They will do. Now Jay, look at me.' Reilly gently took Jay's chin and made
her look at her. 'I want you to take these. They will make you sleep and
make you feel better.' Jay nodded and took the pills that Reilly gave her.

'Will she be ok?'

'Physically yes.'

'What do you mean? Physically. She'll be ok.' Alex said with a tremor in
her voice.

'Alex come let her sleep, that is what she needs now.' Reilly tried to
steer Alex out of the room. Alex would not move, she sat down next to Jay
never taking her eyes of her.

'I'm not leaving her.'

'Ok, but get me if anything changes.' Reilly and Jane left the room.

Alex sat there for hours, but finally sleep took her. It was filled with
shadowy figures and Jay.




Jay was dreaming, more specifically she was having a nightmare. The same
one she had been having ever since Peter. It was worse this time. She
didn't know why but it was worse and it felt more real. Then she got to the
part where she knew she would wake up screaming.

'NO, PLEASE DON'T!' Jay felt arms come around her and tried to break free
of them, but she couldn't.

'Beautiful calm down it's me. It's Alex, you were only dreaming, it was
only a dream.' Alex whispered into Jay's ear. Jay recognized Alex and
calmed down a bit. Crying, and shaking with the fear that was still inside
her.

'It wasn't a dream.' She finally managed. 'I wish it was.'

'Tell me, please Jay tell me.' Alex asked very gently.

'It's in my past, I don't want to talk about it.'

'Beautiful if it were in your past you wouldn't shake at the thought of
it. Please tell me. I want to help, but I can't if you don't tell me what's
going on'

'I can't, you will hate me if I tell you!' Jay cried even lauder.

'No you won't, but you might feel better. If you keep it inside it will
destroy you and in the end me, because I'm not going to leave you.' Alex
pulled Jay even closer to her. Showing her her that she meant it.

They were both silent for few minutes. Alex not wanting to push Jay to hard
and Jay trying to make up her mind. When Jay finally started to talk, Alex
didn't stop her once, she knew if she did Jay would clamp up again.

'I knew Peter my whole life. We grew up together, our parents were good
friends and I partly grew up at their house. I was always there. His sister
was my best friend and as it is with kids we were glued at the hip for our
whole school career. Peter would sometimes tag along when he had nothing
better to do. While my friend was always with some guy or another I never
dated, and as time went on I spent more time with Peter since she was
always busy. When I got to University I had still never been out on a date,
had never been kissed nor did I ever want to. I had always liked girls but
I knew that in the society I grew up in I couldn't risk being found out,
plus I had a bad case of denial going, I didn't want to be like that. So
when Peter asked me out I thought that that would be the perfect
solution. I was wrong, so very wrong. We were dating a month when he hit me
the first time. Another month and he strangled me and another before I was
so scared of him that I did everything that he told me to do. I lost what
friends I had, and I did things I never thought I would. After a year we
got engaged, my parents were happy as can be. His weren't, his mother
suspected what was going on. She was always like a second mother to me, but
she didn't say anything then. In my studies I excelled, it was the only
place where I still had control. Things between him and me got worse and
worse, but what drove it over the edge was only a month before I
graduated.'

Jay stopped here her breath coming harder, she was coming to the end of her
story. She needed a minute to calm down. She didn't look at Alex to scared
of what she might see there. She was scared to death that Alex would leave
her, but she needed to finish her story.

Alex on the other side was shocked. Her ex was a man, now she knew what had
bothered her about what Jane had said. Then she became angry, how anyone
could treat Jay like that was beyond her. She wanted to hurt this man, she
wanted to scream at Jay's parents for not seeing it. But she didn't do
anything except give a squeeze.

'Up to that point we had never had real intercourse. I had given him
countless blow jobs and the like, but he never pushed the issue of
intercourse. Well we were out with his friends and he was getting really
drunk so I tried to get away from him knowing that I would be his target
once he was completely drunk, but that night I just couldn't manage it. I
was forced to go home with him...he...he...'

'Oh my god. He raped you.' Alex couldn't believe what she was hearing. But
she felt her shirt was soaked and a very small nod from Jay. Alex held her
so tight willing Jay to feel safe and willing herself to remain calm.

'When... when he was done he left me there like a used piece of meat. I
couldn't move, and that is where his mother found me. She knew what had
happened. She cried the whole drive to my home, there she told me to run as
far away as I could, away from her son. I did just that, I finished my
degree early stating some urgent family matter had come up, I was well
liked so my Professors agreed. I saw Peter one more time and I will never
forget that, He hit me so hard that my nose was cracked and told me that he
would kill me. That happened at the University after my last paper was
done. I went home packed my bags and was on the first plane here! I didn't
tell anyone back home where I was going except my parents and they promised
they would never tell anyone. That much I could get out of them after I
told them what happened. Now my mother has even broken that. He knows where
I am, and I'm scared I just know he is coming for me.'

'He wouldn't dare. You are a police officer.'

'That is what is so scary. I'm supposed to be strong and know what to do in
a situation like that, but I... I' Jay started to cry as sobs racked her
body, Alex didn't know what to say or do. She did the only thing that felt
right, she held on to Jay as if her life depended on it.

'No one knows how to react or what to do in a situation like that, and no
one should ever be put in the situation where it would be necessary to do
so.'

'I'm so incredibly scared, I can't fight him. He is to strong!' Jay was
becoming hysterical and Alex was getting a little scared herself. 'He's
coming! I just know he is!'

'He won't ever hurt you again, I won't let him.' Alex tried to calm her,
but she must have said the wrong thing as Jay was becoming even more
hysterical. 'Beautiful calm down! You are safe here, no one is going to
hurt you.'

'I...I...I! No you have to leave or he will hurt you to!' Jay pulled away
from Alex and stood up and was screaming in gibberish.

Reilly and Jane burst into the room at the same time. Jane, froze. She had
never seen her sister like this before. She was like a trapped animal that
knew it was being slaughtered. Reilly looked at Alex and saw the fear in
her eyes. She moved very slowly towards Jay. Not wanting to scare her even
more, she didn't know what had happened but she knew it had to be bad for
this to be the result. Once she was within reach of Jay she spoke but in a
very firm and soothing voice.

'Jay you have to calm down. Just breath in slowly and out. That's good.'
Jay did as she was told. 'No, don't look at them, just look at me. Good.'
Reilly moved ever closer until she was a few inches away from Jay. She then
took Jay into her arms, she melted into Reilly.

'Mom.' Jay moaned into Reilly's shoulder before she fainted. Reilly gently
put her on the bed kissed her on the forehead and tucked her in. She then
motioned for the other two to follow her to the kitchen. Reilly was about
to ask what had happened when Alex turned on Jane.

'You knew and did nothing!' Alex screamed.

'Alex keep it down.' Reilly ordered not any wiser than before. She just
knew Alex was terrified and mad as hell and Jane seemed to be her target.

'I won't! This family is so fucked up it is just unbelievable! You dare
show your face after what you did to Jay!' Alex was now head to head with
Jane, who looked terrified and clueless.

'What did I do?' Jane managed.

'How the hell can you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning you
bitch!'

'For the love of! What are you talking about Alex.' Reilly put herself
between Alex and Jane.

'She knows, why don't you ask her!'

'Ok, Jane?'

'I don't know.' Reilly could see that Jane was telling the truth.

'Alex she doesn't know.'

'What you forgot it!' Alex screamed again. 'You forgot that your sister got
raped and you and your parents didn't do a damn thing about it.' What
colour Jane had in her face drained away she turned white as a sheet.

'Wha...I...I... she never... Oh my god.' Jane collapsed on a chair.

'Brilliant! You are some sort of actress! I should...'

'That's enough!' Reilly ordered, silencing Alex. 'Can't you see that she
didn't know!' Now Alex took her first real look at Jane, what she saw was
utter shock and horror, a look her mother shared with Jane.

'I swear I didn't know. She refused to talk to me about what had happened,
I thought that it was something bad. I never knew...' Jane broke down
crying Reilly trying to comfort her.

'I thought that she had told you. When she said she had told your parents I
assumed that you knew to.'

'I... why didn't she tell me?' Jane asked herself more than anyone present.

'I can't answer that, but now she has reached out we have to be very
careful that she doesn't clamp up again. She has to talk about it, we have
to get her to see a psychiatrist.' Reilly stated.

'She'll never agree to it.' Jane said flatly, knowing her sisters view of
shrinks. 'She doesn't trust them.'

'She would have undergone an evaluation when she joined the force, so if
she was going to tell a shrink all this it would have come up then. I think
that Jane is right.' Alex looked at her mother pleadingly.

'Then we have to make her see that she is safe and that the bastard who did
this to her isn't going to hurt her. But for that we need help.' Reilly let
it hang in the air a bit.

'Dad, we need dad.'

'Yes, we do. If there is someone that could find out where this creep was
it would be him.'

'He will want to know why. I don't know if I want him to know.'

'Look if it will make Jay feel safe then tell him what he needs to
know. Running away from it hasn't brought my sister anything.'

'She's right Alex.'

'I'll call him. Mom?'

'Yes?'

'She can't go to work like this.' Alex stated, I need you to get her to a
doctor tomorrow, I'll call Sally to cover her shift for tomorrow, but I
can't ask her to do more.'

'I'll take good care of her, I promise.' Reilly knew that that was what
Alex was asking her. When Alex wanted to leave Jane stopped her.

'You'll need some information on him, I can give that to you.' Jane was
pleading for Alex to let her listen when Alex talked to her father.

'Ok, you are right. Tell me who he is. Then stay close I might need some
more information as we go along.'

'His name is Peter van Wyk. He is a lawyer works in Johannesburg last I
heard.'

'Ok that will do for now.'

Reilly watched them go to the study. She went back to Jay, she seemed to be
sleeping peacefully. It broke Reilly's heart to see Jay like this. She was
much to sweet for something like this to have happened to her. Reilly also
knew that Jay needed her family, and she was determined to make Jay see
that they were all her family. She had a lot of people that were looking
out for her. Reilly being only one of them, and having talked to Angus and
Susan and they both already loved Jay. It was so obvious that Alex and Jay
were in love, that was enough for them to love her to.



Alex had to dial her father three times before she got to him. It was late
and he was already asleep. But when he heard Alex he knew something was
wrong. He was awake immediately.

'Dad?'

'Alex that you?'

'Yes, look dad I need your help.' Alex decided for the direct approach, no
beating around the bush.

'What's wrong?' Angus demanded.

'Dad, look I don't want to explain over the phone, but I need you to check
up on someone. Can you do that?'

'Ok Alex, but I need to know what this is about. Just give me the outlines
at least.' Alex knew she had to, she chose her words very carefully.

'Can you just check up on a Peter van Wyk he is a lawyer in
Johannesburg. He hurt Jay badly and she is scared that he might be after
her again. He found out where she is and he has threatened her.'

'It's done.' Angus knew better than to ask more, he knew that he would hear
the rest when the time was right, but anyone that hurt Jay was hurting Alex
and that he couldn't bare.

'Thank you dad!' Alex was relieved to at least have the feeling that
something was happening. 'Do you need more information?'

'The more I have the easier it will be for me to get to this guy.'

'Then I'll give you Jane, she is Jay's sister. She can tell you more.'

Alex stood next to Jane as she answered all of Angus's questions. When he
was satisfied they hung up. Alex and Jane didn't talk for a while, both
lost in their own thoughts. All were on Jay. Jane finally decided to tell
Alex what she had been thinking since she met her.

'Alex?'

'Huh. Oh sorry I was somewhere else.'

'With Jay?'

'Yes, I can't stop thinking about her. And now this, I'm so worried.' Alex
answered. 'I am sorry for what I said before, I had no right.'

'No don't apologise. The fact that you love Jay so much is worth all the
accusations in the world. She deserves someone like you. You two are
perfect together. She was unhappy for way to long, always helping others
but never herself. You make her happy.'

Alex had to stop Jane as she was nearly crying. Jane was right, Alex
realized. She loved Jay more than words could describe, and she would do
anything to protect her.

'I guess I can't help it, I want to make her smile. I can't get her out of
my mind, and most of all I want her to be there when I get home. I will
keep her safe.' Alex stated while looking directly at Jane.

'I know, now I think we should get some sleep. Tomorrow won't be easy for
any of us.'



Alex walked into Jay's room and saw her mother gently stroke Jay's hair,
like she used to do with Alex when Alex had a bad dream. It touched Alex
that her mother was showing this much love towards Jay. She didn't know Jay
well, but seemed to have her as part of the family already. Alex's heart
sped up as it usually did when she saw Jay. So beautiful and so perfect.

'Mom, she will be ok, right?'

'Yes, but she has some ways to go. She will need you.' Reilly watched as
Alex looked at Jay. There was so much emotion there and all of it was based
in love.

'I' won't go anywhere.'

'I know you won't. Will you be ok with her alone?' Reilly asked as Alex got
in bed next to Jay. 'Do you want me to stay?'

'I think I will be ok, you are in the other room, so I think I can manage.'
Reilly nodded kissed Jay on the forehead then repeated the procedure with
Alex.

'Sleep tight, and call if you need me.' Reilly left.

Alex stared at Jay for a while. She was worried and the only thing she
could do was to be there for Jay. She moved closer to Jay and soon also
fell asleep. In sleep Jay moved towards Alex and their bodies joined
together. Alex was soon on top of Jay and talking up a storm. Jay felt safe
then with Alex holding her tight, even if it was only in sleep.


				    ~~

To all sorry for the long wait. Thank you for reading. Any comments are as
always welcome. Greets Ann