It had been years, the car accident excluded, since Jessica had slept to the point of the sun already rising. That morning Jessica found herself not opening her eyes before the sun and rousing to the soft murmur of voices trailing from her kitchen while the sun glared into her eyes and the smell of coffee pulled at her.

She sat up, a bit sore and she rubbed her arm looking down to realize bruises had blossomed angrily overnight and she quickly looked away clinching her hands together willing herself to keep her wits about her trying to figure out what to do next.

Straining her ears she struggled to hear the voices in the kitchen making out Mays concerned comments, and Alex voice describing what happened.

Jessica sighed trying to come to terms with the night before and honestly considered going to her room to hide away from her friends and choirs for most the day.

But then Brads voice sounded and her heart stuttered in her chest.

"We need to listen to Jessica," he was saying," and what she wants. But honestly, I feel this is all tied together, and leaving her in the dark will help nothing."

"I'm not saying leave her in the dark," Alexs voice was annoyed," I was there, man. I 'saw' her. She was freaked out! Let the poor girl process this and 'then' we can talk to her about it."

"Should we at least," May broke in," tell her he's in jail? Ya know, make her feel a bit better?"

Silence won over the small group, so Jessica decided to throw her hair into a messy bun, and enter the kitchen head held high eyes steeled," Well that 'does' make me feel better. But knowing fully what is going on would help too."

The trio startled at her entrance and Jessica had to force herself to stay strong as Brads gaze hardened at the sight of her and Mays eyes teared while Alex looked away.

"I am 'fine'," she emphasized before anyone could ask, "So don't even think otherwise. I was just a little shaken last night. I got me some good sleep and now am now wanting to figure out what is going on. He's in jail?"

Jessica pretended to pay no mind how she skirted around Georges name. 

She did not even want to think about it. No, it was better if her attacker had been an unknown evil person, not the young man who had worked for her for years.

They were silent another moment before Brad was first to recover," Currently in custody, currently no bail. I am unsure how long that will hold, we have 24 hours for questioning. Last I heard at the station he was singing up quite the tale; one I am willing to believe."

At her curious look he continued," his new employer it sounds like could very well be part of the group trying to uproot the farmers here of their land. "

"What? "Her eyes widened, "but how?"

"Apparently his sisters' new fiancé is a financial advisor to the group or something. Got him an in. And according to George they figured that having someone who was an inside to the farms could make it easier at scaring you and some of the other landowners into selling," Brads frown only deepened if it were possible," Though who these people truly are seems like quite the mystery in itself, being a privet business who apparently focuses on residential enterprise. They own a string of hotels, apartments, condos and some restaurants with various affiliates and names. I even was able to pull up a few gas stations they owned land titles to."

"What for? "Jessica's frown mirrored Brads," What could they possibly want with the farm?"

"Apparently they have a foreign company interested in investing, but other than that I do not know," Brad looked to Jessica a long moment.

They stood there silently a moment before Brad stood slowly and took in Jessica bruised form again, "Are you okay Jess?"

She sighed and nodded, pulling up a small sad smile," I just am so shocked, like George seemed like a good enough kid," she paused and thought again of the nights events," He kept trying to get me to listen to him. Said he didn't want to really hurt me, and he wanted to ensure that some person didn't send anyone else out to do worse."

"Who? "Questioned Brad.

"I don't know," she shrugged, grimacing at the soreness," He just said 'him'. I wasn't much up for listening. . . if he had just came to me. . . talked to me."

"Most likely," Alex said slowly," He is tied up in some pretty deep trouble. If these people he's working for are truly so powerful. . ." he paused and then shook his head seeming to clear it of thoughts," Well. I'm just saying. He could be tapped and was threatened not to say anything."

"He. . .he has never been one to anger so. Or be violent, I can't help but not want to believe that it happened at all."

Brad nodded stepping closer, "It is surprising what people do when put under pressure and desperate."

Jessica thought that Brad probably had seen much of this while on duty, horrid acts of violence maybe that would never leave his memory. She shivered slightly, thinking how she could have made the list.

As the silence stretched on the two of them gravitated closer to one another and May seemed to sense the change in atmosphere as she guided Alex out silently.

He settled a gentle hand to her shoulder, and she looked up to him, meeting his gaze until he pulled her into his strong embrace. She hugged him hard and felt his large arms surround her, hugging her back, and she realized how much she had truly wanted this. She had never wanted to be coddled or tended to in any way by anyone, being the independent woman she was, but being in Brads arms felt safe.

And right now she desperately wanted that safety.

"I couldn't believe it when Alex called," Brads voice cut into the peace pulling her from her thoughts," I was so scared. Scared on many levels that-," he cut himself off and she pressed into his arms, and he gave her a strong squeeze before pulling back.

Stroking her cheek gently he put his head to hers, "I am here for you Jess."

His lips closed the distance to hers and she felt herself melting into the kiss, into his strong arms.

Jessica wasn't certain how long they embraced each other for, but she didn't feel like counting the minutes. The kiss was gentle, touches light. There was no desire beyond that of wishing to be close to one another, no passion other than the feelings they had for one another that Jessica wasn't quite ready to put a name to.

"Its okay," she whispered horsely back, blinking her burning eyes rapidly," I'm here." She thought of how his face looked when first seeing her bruised arms.  And of how traumatized he must have been over the years of horrific calls. Sweet Brad, always willing to help back in high school, and seeing such horrors. 

How often? 

Did the visions haunt him?

Jessica wasn't sure how she could help, so she just squeezed tighter.

"Sorry to interrupt your public snogging session," snarked Alex laughing as they both pulled away cheeks red," But I just wanted to let you know that there seems to be an officer outside asking for you Jess."

Jessica nodded smoothing down her shirt and a hair before heading to the door, sharply aware of Brad following her to the entryway.

The officer was the same woman with the rust colored hair from the other night. She smiled to Jessica gently when seeing her and recognized and nodded to Brad upon seeing him.

"Hello Jessica, I'm not sure if you remember me from last night. My name is Jennifer Cowles, I am the officer who took your statement last night."

Jessica nodded," I remember, yes. Thank you. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I just have a few questions, was wondering if you would be willing to come down to the station today to give an official statement."

Jessica nibbled on her lip before nodding shifting her weight to her foot and shrugging," of course. I have work around here to do. It is peak of the season," talking about the farm felt better than thinking about anything else from the night before, the men who had been harassing her, the company that wanted her hard-earned land.

"Of course. It doesn't have to be today. You can swing by the station anytime this week, when you are ready. I also wanted to give you my card," Jessica looked down to where officer Cowles held a white card with a police insignia on it and blue lettering with her title and contact information. 

She took it smiling tightly, "Thank you. I will. I promise. Thank you, officer Cowles, I really appreciate all your help." 

"I'll see myself out then," smiled the officer," You can just call me Jennifer if you want to."

Despite her saying she could see herself out Jessica still felt the need to see her to the porch and then after the cruiser had left the drive went to her purse and deposited the card into her wallet before letting out a deep breath.

"I'm going to get chores done today with everyone else, "Alex was already dressed for work and about to head out the door," None of us want you to worry and you don't need to work at all. May is in the shower right now, but she wanted me to make sure I tell you that she is staying here with you all day, and you two are going to cuddle watch movies and drink wine."

"Oh is that how it is? "she laughed and shook her head," Thank you Alex. I could use the day off. I am not feeling up to working too hard today."

"And you shouldn't," he nodded to Brad, "I'll leave you two alone."

"You doing okay?" She smiled when Brad settled his hands on her shoulders and began rubbing his thumbs into the tight knots that had been her shoulders causing her to moan and lay her head back on his shoulder.

"Now that you are doing that, "she breathed," definitely."

A moment later the silence was broken by her stomach complaining loudly she had yet to partake in the breakfast May had prepared. 

Cheeks heating up she opened her eyes to look up while Brad gazed down at her grinning.

"Well," she laughed,"  maybe could use some breakfast."

He smiled further, pecking a kiss on her forehead before nodding," May made French toast with eggs and bacon."

"Perfect," she pushed off and they navigated their way to the breakfast to enjoy their meal together with nothing but good food and each other's company to fill the time.