Her against the team

Chapter 5

          Isobel was finally able to leave the hospital and go home to her greatest happiness, wanting to find her home, her world. She thanked the taxi, not wanting to wait for Jess to finish her investigation to bring her home. The cleaning had been done, the cupboards and fridge filled. She sent a message to her friend thanking him "Thanks for the cleaning and shopping!"" It wasn't me but Tali and Ingrid, Kristin's daughter. I wanted to do it but they beat me to it." Isobel smiled softly, touched. She sent a message to Kristin to thank her daughter. Isobel undressed with her arm still sore after her dislocation. She welcomed the hot water on her skin with pleasure, imagining that the more the water burned, the more it cleansed her skin of wandering hands, of... Isobel collapsed in tears, curling up on herself taking violent sobs, the running water choking her tears. Jess knocked gently at the door when her friend was asleep, having no answer, Jess used his key and entered. He could hear the water running from the shower, so he decided to start preparing dinner because he knew perfectly well that if he did not, Isobel would not take care of eating. The water was still flowing to Jess's surprise, Isobel was not the type to take around time. Maybe with her injuries, she needed time. Doubting, Jess went upstairs, sobs echoed in the corridor, tears tearing Jess' heart. He opened the door and saw the brunette curled up under the stream of water. Grabbing a large towel, Jess cut the water before surrounding Isobel gently lifting her.

"Izzy, hey it's okay. I'm here. It's over, you're going to get through this, and you know how I know? Because you're the bravest woman I know. You were always the best at everything, not afraid to take risks, having a sense of duty well done. And I'll be there with you every moment. You are my friend Izzy, my closest and dearest friend, and I promise to always be there in good times and bad. Come on, let's dry you out before you get sick," Jess said wiping the tears off Isobel's cheeks.

 He wrapped Isobel's hair in a towel drying it as he did with Tali when she was little. He then helped her get dressed, and guided her to the sofa.

"The meal is almost ready," said Jess, kissing Isobel's forehead.

"I'm not hungry."

"Your head is not hungry, but your stomach is, so you're going to please him! Come on, I won't let go."

The duo ate in a comfortable silence, which Isobel greatly appreciated. Jess prepared two meals for her the next day before they watched a movie together.  A few days later Isobel returned to work, although the doctor had offered to extend her work stoppage. But she didn't want to wait any longer to get back to a normal life, her old life and stop thinking about her detention. She slipped quietly into her office, beginning to reread the latest reports on her desk that ADIC had left her. The team was surprised to see her in her office, no one knew she was coming back, let alone as quickly. Maggie went to welcome her back, followed by Elise happy to see her among them. Isobel thanked them politely before returning to her files anxious. 

"Hey, we have a case" Jubal announced as he knocked on her door.

Isobel rose up like an automaton to follow him to the JOC of all it was from him that she feared to see again. He wished her a safe return without adding anything before announcing the affair.  The day passed slowly, the matter advancing slowly. But they arrived too late at the scene of the next robbery, and the team blamed Isobel for it, saying that she shouldn't have sent them to check the place of the squat but directly in the jewelry store. That because of her the security guard died. The voices rose slightly, each going to his comment. Isobel began to panic inwardly, her breathing becoming wider and more laborious. Her hands and feet tingling, her head turning. Trying to conceal her tears, she left the room, taking refuge in her office, which she locked, before being overwhelmed by her panic attack.

Joining her desk, Maggie sees her through the bay window. She tried to open the door, but couldn't, so she texted Jess to come up as quickly as he could. Giving the investigation to Kristin, he didn't make himself prayed knowing that it was the takeover of Isobel. Maggie quickly explained the situation, guiding him to the SAC office. He used his key to open the door, and knelt near Isobel, guiding her through a breathing exercise to calm her down.

"Come on, I'll take you home. You've already worked hard for today," he said, helping him to get up.

Jess guided Isobel, holding her with one arm around her waist to the elevator, casting a deadly glance in the direction of Jubal and the team. 

"We should have let her die" Jubal told the team

Jess helped Isobel to sit on a bench in the hallway before entering the JOC like a fury. Jess grabs Jubal by the collar of his shirt slamming him hard against the wall

"You're gonna take back what you just said! I'll come back, and I'll take care of you!" growled Jess before joining Isobel.

"It was just a panic attack, you didn't have to do that," said Isobel, pretending not to have heard Jubal's last comment, or to have seen the nodding of some.