Chapter 64: Changes

"I know, Mother." Allison said, again.

It was going to be a long night no matter what and it was already off to a bad start. Since we had returned home from the hospital Mom and Allison had been arguing about whether or not she should spend the night with me. The idea was that I have someone to keep an eye on me and make sure I didn't have any further problems. Mom seemed to think that perhaps Allison had other ideas about sharing my bed.

"I'm just saying that you are supposed to be there to keep an eye on him. That's all."

"Mother," there was that word again; "I know that. Geez, I am not some sex starved little nympho just waiting to get his clothes off so I can..."

"Stop!" I said. "Please? Enough already, there is no need or reason for you two to be at each other like this. You're both just upset and taking it out on each other isn't going to help. Mom, I really want Allison with me tonight and I promise we'll be good. I'm a little wrung out from all this and I don't think I'd be up for anything strenuous anyway. Don't look at me like that, Allison! It wasn't meant as a challenge. As far as keeping an eye on me, that's actually going to be pretty easy. When I was out, Allison said I wasn't in her dreams either. So once we get to sleep, I'll head straight for the glade and we'll just stay together all night. If I suddenly disappear or start acting strange, she can wake me up. How does that sound?"

I could see her thinking about it, finally she answered, "Okay, I guess that will be alright. And you're right, it's the stress talking." She turned to Allison. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Forgive me?" She held out her arms and Allison slid in and hugged her.

"I'll forgive you if you forgive me," she said. "You know sometimes it's really irritating that he's always right about this stuff. It's the stress and lack of sleep that's bugging me. Going without sex doesn't help any either."

"Allison!" Mom pushed her back and rolled her eyes.

"Don't you Allison, me. I'm pretty sure I get it from you. I've seen how you get when Dad is sick."

Mom blushed scarlet and argued, "I do not! James, tell your sister she's delusional."

"Uh, sorry Mom, but she's got a point. When Dad had his appendix out it was pretty scary around here. I guess it runs in the family."

"That is simply not true. I can't believe you two."

"We could call Karen and get an un-biased second opinion," Allison offered. Mom started to answer but then apparently thought better of it, which of course Allison just couldn't leave alone. "Ah-ha! Chicken! You know I'm right." She hugged Mom tight again. "I love you, and I know that's as close to a confession as I'm going to get."

"That was not a confession, admission, or anything even remotely like either. I still think you're making this up just to throw me off. But I will grant that you can keep an eye on him and I am sorry for suggesting that you had other ideas. Now, set the table, dinner should be hear any..." the doorbell rang, "... second. Off you go. Allison, you set the table. James, pay the nice man and as an extra treat, I'll do dishes afterward."

Allison and I high fived each other as we headed for our appointed tasks.

"Oh, and Allison."

She turned back to see what Mom wanted. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Paper plates."

Allison just rolled her eyes and bowed low. "Oh yes, your Majesty, thank you, your Majesty." She turned and walked away mumbling just loud enough to be sure everyone heard, "We never use paper plates when it's my night to do dishes."

"What was that dear?" she sounded stern but they were both just playing the game.

"I was just wondering if I should try and find chopsticks for everyone." Allison said sweetly.

Yeah... sure she was.

The evening progressed smoothly from there. Even after sleeping all weekend I was still worn out. I was also very stiff. My muscles seemed unusually tight and I had no idea why. Allison cleared up the mystery when I said something about it.

"Jimmy, you hit Brad so hard you sprained your wrist; you broke two ribs on another guy; you were operating at about two hundred percent and then stopped cold. I'm surprised your whole body doesn't hurt. You probably slept through the worst of it."

"That certainly makes sense." I took a lot of time stretching before bed. Allison helped me with some of the more difficult ones, then we finally headed off to my room to catch up on some long overdue snuggle time. If there could be a more right feeling than her laying her head in that hollow between my chest and shoulder I can't imagine what it might be. We lay together in silence and each pretended to not notice the tears the other cried, though I felt each of hers on my chest and I'm sure she felt mine on her hair.

Once we were past the initial emotional rush there were things we had to discuss. I knew I wanted to talk to Bob about what had happened. The question was whether to bring it up in front of Rebecca. Don't get me wrong, I like Rebecca, and I trust her, but lately I just felt like the less people knew the better.

"I don't see how you're going to get around telling her," Allison finally said. "You trashed three guys bigger than you and she knows about. She's going to want to know how."

"Yeah, so do I, but I don't want her to know that what happened was basically me losing control and almost killing someone. That I really don't want to have to explain."

"Well I don't see how you're going to be able to get around it. You know she's going to want to see, at least I assume you're planning to do the whole 'instant replay' memory thing so we can see what happened before you start pumping Bob for answers. You were planning to let Shannon and I stay for that part, right?"

"Of course, don't be silly. You most of all because I need to know why what happened happened."

She looked at me for a second. "You're really nervous about this aren't you?"

"Sis, I'm scared to death of this. You don't understand what..."

She held her hand up to stop me. "You don't either, that's why we're seeing Bob. I know you're upset; no one likes losing control. Jimmy, I do understand what you're saying. I think I understand what you're feeling. I know you trust Rebecca, so do I, and I don't see how you can not let her see this. In fact, it might be better if she does see it, and hears whatever Bob has to offer by way of suggestion. If we exclude her there will be this huge question hanging in the air. I don't know if you've noticed, but FBI agents and unanswered questions are a bad combination."

I had to agree with her on that. Still, I just didn't like the idea of having this known by any more people than necessary. I was still anxious about it, but fortunately Allison is really good with stress relief. The rest of my anxiety vanished when I woke up in the elevator and found an envelope taped to the inside of the door. I opened it and found a note which said,

She needs to know.

E.

It was written in the same flowing script as the previous note. I can't say for sure where it came from but I chalked it up to my own subconscious sending me messages again. Waking in the elevator was unexpected in itself. Normally if I already have a destination in mind I just wake up there with no need to "go." I dropped the note before the doors opened and it evaporated before it hit the floor.

I stepped into the glade and for a change I actually noticed that my ring was missing. Allison was there waiting for me and as soon as I touched her both rings faded in.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here," she said as she stroked my chest with her hand. "I guess it never occurred to Mom that if I wanted to have my way with you we could do it here just as easily. And I would love to make love to you right now, but there is someone who needs you more. Either bring Shannon here or take us all to the cabana, and brace yourself, she's really going to be a mess. I got to stay with you at the hospital, but she had to just sit at home and endure. She couldn't even talk to anyone or tell them why she was upset. So it's all been bottled up inside and that's never a good thing."

I closed my eyes and thought of Shannon and I knew she was crying. Behind my eyes I could see her sitting alone; staring out the window at a dark, cloudy sky, her dream reflected her mood and raindrops fell against the windows as tears fell upon her face. Something inside me wept for her and the sky over the glade filled with clouds.

"Hey," Allison said, bringing her hand up to gently cup my face, "don't do that," she said. "Shannon needs you to be strong and healthy and looking like nothing in the world is wrong or she will panic. She's hurting right now, not knowing what's happening, or even if you're okay. Be strong for her. We can all cry later, but right now she needs you whole." She kissed me softly on the cheek. "Okay?"

I didn't answer but as fast as it had come, the sad mood was gone, and the sun shined clear and bright again. I stood and pulled her to her feet and suddenly we were standing on the beach in our swimsuits. I held her hand and turned away from the water. A window appeared in the air and through it we could see Shannon sitting alone in a chair staring out at us. She was wearing the nightgown that I had gotten her for Christmas and playing idly with her Valentine's necklace. Her eyes were red and puffy and you could see the shiny trails where teardrops had dampened her cheeks.

We could see her eyes as she realized that the scene in the window had changed and then she was moving, rushing the wall as if it were a doorway, she passed through the makeshift portal like a ghost and practically bowled me over when she hit. Dream strength alone kept me on my feet as I caught and held her, my arms closing around her and I hugging her as hard as I dared, pressing her body against mine like I would pull her inside of me.

Through the sobbing she managed to speak, "You're here; oh you're here, thank you God. I prayed and prayed that you would be okay. That you would come back to me... Oh, Jimmy, I've been so worried."

All I could do was stroke her hair and hold her and try not to cry too much myself. I finally let go and pulled back just far enough to kiss her. Our mingled tears only sweetened the taste as our lips met and our tongues danced with joy at being together again. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but that kiss held volumes for both of us. Allison finally put her arms around us both and we took turns kissing her as well. I'm not sure when it happened but somewhere in there we moved onto the big bed and just cuddled together for a long time.

All good things come to an end though and this was no exception. There was much that still needed doing and as much as I wanted to just lay there and hold my two angels I was two days behind in my appointed work. I left the girls lying on the bed in each other's arms and walked outside. Hey, it was a nice try anyway. I had barely closed the door when it opened again.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Allison asked in a very irritated voice.

"I was just stepping outside to call Bob and Rebecca and set up a meeting. What's the big deal?"

"You're forgetting that you promised Mom we would stay together all night. That means everywhere. Or I'll wake up and go get her right now. For that matter, I don't even need to wake up, I can just call her."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. You think I wanted to leave? I was in the middle, remember? I liked it there. But this is more important."

"Yes, it is," Shannon said, "so are we staying out here, going back inside, or maybe moving to the office? Make the call; let's get going, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get back to some serious snuggling." She hugged me hard and continued, "And just so you know, I have plans for you next time we're alone."

Allison didn't say anything, just nodded her agreement. I flipped my phone open and dialed Rebecca and Bob simultaneously. One touch conference calling; now there's a dream for you.

The answer came in stereo, "Jimmy!"

"Yeah, I'm back. We need to talk, beach or office?"

Bob said beach; Rebecca said office.

"You letch; you just want to see me in my bikini. This is business."

"When did you buy a bikini?"

I interrupted, "Okay, office it is. Pick a door, we'll meet you there."

I closed the phone and led the girls over to the changing tent. I held the flap open and we all walked into the elevator. The doors closed behind me and the car started up. It stopped at the next floor and Bob stepped in, the doors closed and reopened again almost immediately and Rebecca was waiting for us just outside the office door.

"Wow, I never get here first. It's kind of nice for a change. So what the hell happened?"

"Rebecca," Bob chided her, "the polite thing to do would be to let us all go in and sit down before you begin your interrogation."

She rolled her eyes, took a deep breath and said, "Fine, but can we get to it." She held the door as we filed in. Since I was likely to be the center of attention for a while I took the chair. Bob and Rebecca took the love seat and the girls, the couch.

"So, Jimmy," Bob began, "before we get started let me just say, and I'm sure that I speak for everyone, when I say that we are all very glad that you are okay. Both Rebecca and I were very concerned when Allison called. Now, I'm guessing something new has occurred?"

"You could say that. I almost killed Brad Russell Friday night. If Allison hadn't shown up when she did, I think I might have."

Bob was obviously shaken by this news; the look on Rebecca's face was even more shocked if that was possible. "You're serious?" she asked.

Bob waived her off and looked at Allison, "Allison?"

"I couldn't say anything before but yes, when I saw him standing over Brad, saw him start to shift into a new stance, the thought that went through my head was, 'Oh, my God, he'll kill him.' Bob, it was the scariest moment of my life. I screamed and he turned to look at me, and his face..." she shuddered, "... then he just sort of... wilted is the only word that I can think of. He didn't fall, or collapse. It was like watching a puppet with his strings cut."

Bob had been watching her face very intently and hanging on every word. "What about his face?"

"Well, it was like... like it wasn't him... I mean it was his face, but it was like there was no one there inside. It's like... okay, have you ever seen those full life scenes they do for the museums of like, cave men and early Indian tribes and stuff?"

"Yes, what about them?"

"Well it was like one of those. Just for a second. You know how the whole scene just looks so real that you think it may spring to life at any moment. Then you see their eyes and you know that no matter how real the scene looks that they're not. You can see the emotion on their faces, but their eyes are just empty."

"And Jimmy's eyes looked empty?"

"Yes. But just for a second, then it was like suddenly he recognized me and then he just sort of... wilted."

"That's not the half of it," I said.

"What do you mean?" Bob asked.

"It wasn't me that beat those guys up. I mean it was, but it wasn't." They were all looking as confused as I felt. "Okay, here. Give me second." I closed my eyes and concentrated on the events of Friday night.

I figured I was ready when Shannon suddenly whispered, "Whoa!"

I opened my eyes and I was standing in the parking lot, closing the trunk of the car. Just as before the first blow hit just as I turned, fortunately I didn't have to feel it again. Everything went forward as before, then, just as Brad pulled his arm back, the scene shifted.

"Stop!" Bob said. I froze the image.

"Whoa!" again, this time from Allison. "What just happened?"

"My question exactly," Bob said. I couldn't see him but I knew he was still sitting in the same spot. "What just happened, Jimmy?"

"I have no idea. Suddenly I felt like I was fifteen feet in the air and watching the whole thing."

"Like you were suddenly in observer mode?" he offered.

Realization dawned; I snapped my fingers and said, "Yes! Like that, but this was still different. Watch..." I let the scene play out and talked over it. "My body is reacting to what I am seeing, but I'm not controlling it. I'm just observing. Bob, Rebecca, I've never taken a martial arts class in my life. It's about to change again... there." I stopped the action when my perspective suddenly jumped back into a first person view. "Here my perspective has moved back to first person, but look at it... It's like I'm looking backwards through a telescope or binoculars or something... this is going to be messy."

The focus zoomed on me grabbing Brad's outstretched arm and breaking it. Shannon and Bob cringed physically, I know, weird that I would sense that when I couldn't actually see them. Allison just said, "Ugh! That is so gross."

Then, just like before, things seemed to slow down and I saw my focus narrow until I was concentrating on the place where Brad's neck disappeared into his skull.

"Oh... my... God," Shannon said.

"Shit." That last was from Bob.

Allison's scream sounded right on cue from somewhere off to the side and my view spun until I could see her running across the parking lot. Then everything faded.

I closed the scene down and it vanished like switching off a television set. We all sat for a moment and then Allison got up, climbed into my lap and hugged me. Shannon was right behind her, kneeling on the floor and wrapping her arms around both of us. I really wasn't sure what the sudden display of affection and support were for. Shannon pulled back and climbed up to sit next to me on the suddenly larger chair. Well, actually it was more a love seat now. Allison took the hint and the love seat was suddenly a sofa and she was sitting next to me.