Her against the team

Chapter 6

                Jess helped Isobel change into more comfortable clothes before serving her a cup of tea as she liked.

"Watch a movie on TV, or read a book, I'll come back later and see how you're doing. I'm gonna have a word with this damn team, and I need to see how Kristin and the team are doing with our investigation."

"Jess, you don't have to watch over me like that." Isobel whispered looking at the liquid in her cup.

"Of course I do, that's what friends do, and I want to." said Jess.

A lonely tear tumbled down Isobel's cheek, which Jess gently wiped off before drawing her into a hug. Jess left her a bit, wanting to go after Jubal and the team, because he said that, but no one had take Isobel defense. 

Isobel replayed Jubal's words. He regretted that she was saved, he would have preferred that Maggie let her die... No one had responded to defend him, they all agreed with him... Tears in her eyes Isobel grabbed a thick rope and made her noose. Should she write a letter to Jess? No, it was so cliché. And then to say what... that she had failed in her role? That she should have stayed on her team and not accepted the SAC promotion? That she was sorry and that he was an amazing friend? He already knew it. Seizing a chair, Isobel tied the rope high up, then around her neck... Why was life so hard on her? Her father abandoning them, her mother getting sick and dying, her daughter, her sweet and innocent little girl... With tears running down her cheeks, Isobel took a step forward... but the knot failed, luckily, and Isobel fell hard to the ground. Isobel curled up on herself bursting into tears, pain and sorrow tearing her heart that was yet so tender at one time.

Jubal had a bloody nose, Jess had been totally ruthless on his way back. Oa had tried to intervene but Ortiz intercepted him before.

"Jess!" Kristin exclaimed.

"Not now Gaines!" whispered Jess holding Jubal against the wall.

"Jess it's urgent! It's about Isobel! She screwed up!" insisted Kristin

Jess looked at her agent waiting for her to follow.

"The neighbor across the street says she saw her hanging a rope high and passing it around her neck..."

"Try to call her, don't stop until I get there! It's absolutely necessary to distract her that she doesn't try again!" yelled at Jess as he rushed to his car. Jess burned all the traffic lights praying not to be too late. He contacted the neighbor, asking what she saw.

"She... she's doing the noeuf again, oh my God, she's gonna do it again! I should go see her."

"No, I'm on my way, she won't open the door, and she'll rush you. I'm two minutes away. I have an idea, does your car have an alarm? If so, make your car ring, her professional instinct will take over, she'll check what's going on, giving me a few extra minutes to get there."

Jess didn't shut off the engine of the car, and rushed inside, flying over the steps to get to Isobel's office. There she was, standing on the chair, rope around her neck.

"Izzy."

"Go away, Jess, I don't want you to see this."

"And I don't want to lose my best friend to some asshole like Jubal."

Isobel forbids to look in the direction of Jess, knowing full well that she would crack.

"Everything I do is a mistake, Jess, the world will be much better off without me."

"Absolutely not Izzy, look at the impressive number of criminals you've arrested! It's the JOC who doesn't deserve you! You know I'd always love to take you back on my team. Plus the majority is female"

Kristin quietly entered the room, standing in a corner ready to intervene and helping Jess if Isobel decides to do so.

"They would have preferred me to die..." cried Isobel.

"We made a report on this, a report against Jubal's inappropriate behavior at ADIC, it won't go unpunished," Kristin calmly intervened.

"Why?"

"Because it's unfair what they did to you, and it's harassment," said Jess, nodding thankfully to Kristin.

"And then, technically, you're also our boss, so we have every right to defend you." Kristin smiles. 

Isobel looked at them both hesitantly, Jess was worried to death, and Kristin seemed so sincere and concerned...

"I'm sorry," said Isobel, holding out a hand.

Kristin took her gently, smiling at her as Jess cut the rope.

"Gently" blew Kristin while supporting Isobel coming down from the chair.

Jess hurried to hug her. Kristin left them alone, joining the paramedics explaining what had happened. Maggie came running, crying.

"She?" asked the brunette.

"We got here just in time. Jess is still with her, they're both shaken."

Isobel went out supported by Jess, the paramedics saw her before releasing her in Jess's custody.

"Kristin, can you pack her a business suitcase? She's coming to my house for a while. I'm not leaving her alone after this."

"I can.... do it..." whispered Isobel in a broken voice.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. All you think about is yourself, okay? We have your back," said Kristin, pressing Isobel's shoulder.

"Thank you."

Maggie did not want to hold Isobel any longer, and Isobel did not return her embrace, but did not push her away either.