Her against the team

Chapter 2

              Isobel was shaking with cold but mostly with fear. She didn't know where she was, it had been a long time since she had seen daylight. Her body was hurting, she felt dirty, so dirty. The woman could hardly walk, they had drugged her again so that she wouldn't fight back. Unsure of her steps, Isobel staggered down the street, knowing that they mustn't be far behind her. Isobel spotted an open horse trailer not far from her, and went to hide in it. Soon after the vehicle drove off, too tired, Isobel paid no attention, at least it would get her away from her kidnappers, then she could ask for help. A jolt woke her up, Isobel discreetly got out of there, going into a stable. She spotted an empty stall and lay down in the straw. Sarah guided a horse into a stall after its training session, Jess not far away with Tali. Sarah squealed in surprise when she discovered a stranger lying in the straw.

"Sarah?" called Jess as she ran over to her.

She pointed to the injured figure.

"Sarah call an ambulance! Isobel, Isobel can you hear me?!" exclaimed Jess as he turned her friend slightly onto her side.

His heart sank as he saw her bruised face, her lower lip split. She was burning up, a trickle of sweat beading on her forehead, her hair damp. Isobel opened eyes heavy with fatigue and pain. What Jess saw inside broke his heart. His friend was battered. 

"Dad?" called Tali.

"Tali takes my phone and calls Jubal. Tell him we found Isobel. Sarah the ambulance?"

"They'll be here in fifteen minutes, the nearest one is caught on fire."

"She doesn't have that much time, she's overdosing, and I suspect internal bleeding! We'll do it another way, go get the car we'll transport her! Tali, are there any stretchers here?! Go get one, get one or two people to help."

Jess was trying to reassure Isobel as best as he could, providing whatever care he could.

"It's all right sweetie, I'm here, you're not alone anymore. You're safe, we're going to get you into protective custody and stop all these men."

Sarah was driving so that Jess could stay with Isobel if her condition deteriorated during the trip.

"Kristin it's me, I need you to get a surveillance team to the hospital, well known FBI members, and have a medical team waiting outside, I'm coming with Isobel, her condition is critical. Tali will answer for me while I take care of Isobel.é

When they arrived, the doctors were waiting to take care of the injured woman. Agents were stationed at strategic locations to ensure Isobel's protection under Kristin's orders.

"Save her!" exclaimed Jess to the medics as they wheeled away with her gurney. 

"Jess?" chuckled Jubal as he joined the team in his steps.

"You bastards! This is all your fault! Your fault she's been kidnapped for twelve fucking months! What JOC team are you?" yelled Jess out of his mind shoving Jubal hard.

"Jess that's enough! Jess!" intervened Ortiz trying to hold him back as best he could.

"You broke her! It's on all of you!" continued Jess struggling.

"Jess stop, it won't help Isobel! Calm down!" bellowed Kristin as she placed a hand on her superior.

He didn't know if it was the presence of his team holding him back, or Kristin's soft but firm voice that calmed him. Jess blew out a loud breath, releasing all his stress. He couldn't stand the pitying looks from Jubal's team when they had done nothing, when they were responsible for Isobel's kidnapping. Jubal says nothing, understanding Jess' fury, he was Isobel's close friend. And then the little he saw of Isobel's state it didn't look beautiful, making the discovery terrible. Feeling the tension in the room, Jubal went outside, watching the ballet of ambulances and federal agents watching the surroundings.

"Are you happy, you got what you wanted? Did you get Dana back, it was really worth the low blow to Isobel?" Whistling Jess by punching her in the face.

"Jess no!" exclaimed Kristin, stopping her second fist.

"Let go of me Kristin! You didn't see her look! She's broken! All because of a damn team unable to follow orders, her SAC!" Yelled at Jess, turning to the brunette.

"I know! I know very well! We worked on the investigation too! And I'm also in the best position to know how Isobel will feel, and that she will need her friend around her! And not from his friend walked, see in the cell to calm down! You will have to be there when he wakes up! Trust me, they'll understand their own bullshit!"

"Come on, boss, let's take a walk," Ortiz said.

Kristin looked down on Jubal before returning inside to oversee security.

"How is he?" Maggie asked him.

"Angry, shocked by Isobel's condition. Sarah and Tali said they weren't looking good. There was skin under her fingernails, so you're going back to the investigation?"

"Yes of course!"

"Thank you Maggie, I know you kept investigating." Kristin said.

'We have a right to disagree, but it should never have gone this far. We should never have waited so long to worry about his absence. I realized that in reality no one was careful to ask her how she was doing. I mean... we invite each other, we go to the bar together... but we never took the time to invite Isobel. It should never have happened... I hope Isobel will be able to forgive us."  Confessed Maggie grieved.