And I did sleep for about an hour.  When I awoke, we were at another car rental agency.  Ripley wasn't in the vehicle.  Aris was sleeping.  I did my best to not move so as to not wake him up.  It is okay.  I am awake.  I was just resting my eyes.  He had them open now.  You really looked like you were asleep.

The front driver's side door opened and Ripley stuck his head in, “ready to switch?”  “Yes,” we both answered at the same time.  “What I would really like is a cigarette,” I requested.  “We will at the gas station up the road,” he promised.

The dogs were both awake now, just a little sluggish.  They followed us to a late model, blue Chevy Suburban.  Aris helped Ripley move items from the back of the Tahoe to the Suburban.  We all got in and drove to the gas station as Ripley had promised.  This time I did actually have to use the restroom.  We smoked cigarettes first so that the dogs could do their business.  “Rip, are you ready for me to drive now?” Aris asked.  I was a little surprised.  I was beginning to wonder if he knew how.  He smiled at me.  “Yes,” Ripley answered, “I think I will try to take a nap in the back.”

The dogs finished up and we put them in the vehicle.  Aris and I went in first while Ripley pumped gas.  This time there were no surprises when I finished up and walked out.  Aris was waiting for me.  We walked around the store to get drinks , snacks and a large pepperoni pizza.  Ripley was finished pumping gas so Aris paid for it all in cash.  Ripley went in while we waited.  The pizza was excellent but made me thirsty, so I guzzled my first Diet Coke.  I sat in the front with Aris.  The dogs sat on the middle bench seat and Ripley took what remained of the pizza and climbed into the very back. 

We pulled out of the parking lot and turned back the way we had come.  I thought we were going to the mountains.  We are, just not these mountains.  Now that we lost them, we can head to our destination.  We have to go back to the jet, though.  Wow!  All of that just to lose them?  And scope out the competition.  Aris smiled at me.  Don't even consider them competition.  I wasn't impressed at all.

We drove for a while, then decided to wear hats and sunglasses in the area where those men would be searching for us.  There was no sign of them as we drove by the hotel.  It was set back far enough away from the road that it was hard to tell for sure though.  They will be searching for us here for days, possibly weeks. That's good to know.  A storm is moving in.  That will make it even harder for them.  Will we miss the storm?  Yes.  We are driving out of the storm watch.  We might see a little of it because we are on the edge of the area.  So I might see snow?  Maybe a little.  I forgot about Ripley sleeping and squealed with delight.  He sat up quickly, “What's going on?”  “Sorry I woke you,” I apologized, “I just got excited because I might see snow.”  “Oh, okay.”  He was clearly not awake.  He just laid back down and we didn't hear from him again for the rest of the car ride.  He didn't even wake up when we made stops.

I did see some snow but not much.  That was okay because the trip back to the jet was a lot faster than the trip away.  By like four hours.  We must have driven in circles a lot or something.  We did.  We had to draw them out.  We did not ot want them following  us back. 

The limousine was waiting for us when we got back to the car rental lot that we had started out at.  Ripley got out and took the keys to the Suburban inside while we got the dogs situated in the limo.  Ripley came back out and he and Aris moved the bags from the back of the Suburban to the trunk of the limo.  They both got in with me and the dogs.  “What is in those bags anyway?” I asked.  “Money, dog supplies, weapons,” Ripley answered.

I was actually relieved to see the jet, hoping for a nap in that bed.  “Do not worry Jade,” Ripley said, as if reading my mind, “I am all rested up.  The bed is yours.”  I squealed with delight for the second time today. 
Theo, Antony and Kale were waiting for us down at the foot of the staircase.  Ripley lit us cigarettes then passed the pack around.  I went with him to take the dogs to a grassy area to take care of business.  “What do you think they are talking about?” I asked him.  “They are arguing because they want to go with us.  Yaris is letting them argue until they run out of steam.”  “What do you think will happen?”  “With Yaris, the less you argue, the more likely you are to get your way.  They just have not figured that out yet.”  “Is that why you don't argue?”  “Yes.  I also just do not have it in me to argue like they do.  They like to bicker.  It leaves me wanting a nap.”

Aris joined us.  “Rip I would like another smoke,” he requested.  That doesn't sound promising.  “I just walked away,” he volunteered, lighting up, “they were not letting up.  Why can they not understand that sometimes less is more.  At least they did not follow me.”  Ripley handed me a lit cigarette without me even asking.  I smiled a thank you at him.  He lit one for himself then put them back in his pocket.  “We could just leave,” I volunteered.  Aris smiled at me.  “Rip, finish your smoke, then go tell them to get in the car and leave.  The dogs stay with us.”  Ripley smiled.  I don't understand why that is funny.  They will think that we are just replacing them with the dogs.  We are not.  It will just be good for the dogs, being at the cabin.

Ripley finished his cigarette and walked over to the group.  They got real quiet, like they were stunned.  Ripley came back over to us as they filed into the limousine and drove away.  “The jet is ready to go.”  Ripley whistled and the dogs raced towards us.  We headed toward the jet.  The dogs passed us and climbed the stairs.  We hurried inside.  The dogs got up on the sofa and laid down.  We took our seats.  A few minutes later we were in the air.

I followed Aris into the bedroom.  I changed into a jade colored short tank top pajama set and he changed into navy blue shorts as soon as I shut the door behind me.  We both climbed into bed.  I was ready to go to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.  I laid curled up on my left side facing away from him.  He slid his arm around my midsection and pulled me close.  You smell so good.  I must.  I can hear you sniffing, you creeper.  He chuckled.  He moved my hair up and back away from my neck where he planted a kiss.  I shivered.  How does your neck feel?  A lot better now.  He licked my ear.  My ear was fine.  No, it was not.  I had to repair it too while you were sleeping.  Oh. Well it feels fine now.  He licked it again anyway except this time he sucked on the earlobe for a few seconds.  I giggled.  That tickles.  Not the reaction I was going for, but it will do.  What do you mean?  Do not worry about it.  Remove the tank top.  The skin on skin contact will help your back.  I removed it and added a bra.  He moved me to where my back was pressed up against his chest.

How are your lungs?  How is your breathing?  Fine.  I need to examine the front of you when we wake up.  Could you do it now.  I have sore spots.  I had avoided mentioning it out of embarrassment, but what if it was serious?  Roll over.  I rolled to where I was laying on my back.  He hissed through his teeth.  “Why did you not tell me about this?”  The whole left side of my torso was bruised.  “I noticed some of it when I repaired your ribs and lung, but not all of it.”  “That's not all.  It's under my bra too.  The bra is actually really uncomfortable.”  “Remove it.  I need to see.”  I removed it and looked away embarrassed.  No one had ever seen me topless before and the first time it's because I am black and blue.

I am going to have to touch you.  Is that okay?  Yes.  I know it's going to feel a lot better if he does.  Would you prefer that I put you to sleep first?  It may be really painful.  Yes.  Hold my hand.  I gave him my hand.  He squeezed it three times and I don't remember anything after that.

When I came to, I was still laying on my back on the bed, but covered by the blanket.  Aris was sitting next to me holding my hand.  Please do not ever keep anything like that from me again.  Do not be embarrassed.   I am worried  about your health.  A bruised breast is never going to be a sexual turn on for me, if that is what you are worried about.  I felt a tear escape my right eye.  He stopped his mental tirade and caught it with his thumb.  He laid down next to me and covered himself with the blanket.  It is okay, Jade.  Cry if you need to.  The flood works started, I tried to stop, but couldn't.   He pulled me close and as hard as it was, I rolled over to where I was facing him, so that I could hide my face.

I should have fought harder.  He lifted my quivering chin with his thumb and forefinger, “You did everything right.  This is all his fault.  He was not in good shape when we got to you either.  Some of that blood on you was his.  You are most definitely a fighter.”  I stopped crying, “he was in bad shape too?”  “Did you not see him?”  I shook my head no, “I was too busy trying not to fall.”  “His clothes were torn, his face was bruised, his hand was bleeding profusely, you definitely fought hard.  I am really proud of you.”
I must cry loud because there was a knock on the door, “is everything okay?”  “Everything is fine,” Aris answered.  “Okay.  The plane is getting ready to land,” Ripley responded.

We hurriedly got re-dressed in what we were wearing before.  I wiped my tears on my sleeve and sniffled a couple of times.

“We are back to me carrying you again for a little while,” he told me.  “I'm sorry,” I apologized.  “It is alright.  I like it.”  “You do?”  “Yes.  And no more bras until further notice.”  “Okay.”  He picked me up and carried me out of the bedroom and to his window seat.  He buckled my seatbelt then sat down and buckled his own.  I felt a tear escape my eye and make it’s path down my cheek.  Jax made his way over to me.  He sat down in front of me and rested his chin on my knee.  I absently started petting his head.  I did feel somewhat soothed by it.  Did you give me some of your pain relief?  Yes.  Just lean back and relax.  Okay.  Jax went back to the sofa.  I started to lean back and the motor kicked in, raising my legs.  I closed my eyes and started to feel my body relaxing.