Safety Net 》Reuban Finch

Chapter 9

Jia was on set for one of the final days of shooting. But her mind was far from the movie.

Just that morning, she had to say goodbye to Reuben, dressed in his formal blues, as he went to the funeral of the Commander of the Pacific Fleet. Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky had succumbed to his cancer and passed in the night.

And despite the fact that he died from a disease rather than flying, it still made her worry.

Benji, seeing her start to spiral, went to her side. "I know what you're thinking. And there's not much I can say to make you feel better. But you need to have faith."

Jia shook her head. "It's not faith I'm lacking. Trust me, I will always believe he will do his best to come home. It's just the thought of it all. And I know it's all in my head, but I can't stop it."

Benji looks at his best friend. "Do you think maybe you should try and talk to someone? See if there are different ways for you to compartmentalize or channel your feelings into? Because you are going to worry yourself into a problem one of these days."

She pauses to think about it. Never had the idea crossed her mind to potentially find a therapist. Well, maybe not a therapist but someone of the sort that she could talk her feelings out with.

Because let's face it, everyone she talks to reassures her of the same thing, and it doesn't help. Like, at all.

"I'll talk to Reu about it. See what he thinks. But that is something I'll definitely take the time to look into."

Jia pulls Benji in for a hug, the two staying locked in for a few moments. "Thank you for talking with me."

He smiled into her hair. "No problem."

They let go of each other before Benji claps his hands. "Okay, now get your head in the game. We've got a fight sequence coming up, and no one would be too happy with me if I bruised your pretty face because you got distracted."

He quickly shoves her out of the room, laughing as she stumbles and shoots him her middle finger.

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When she finished up for the day, Jia made her way home. She had a bubble bath calling her name.

And because they know each other so well, Reuben knew she would be wanting one, so he started prepping everything for her. The moment he saw her car come down the road, he made his way into the bathroom and started the water.

(One too many experiences taught him exactly how Jia liked her baths.)

She unlocked the front door, walking in and yelling out, "I'm home!"

Not hearing a response, but knowing Reuben was home, she called out again. "Reu, I'm home!"

Then she heard the faint sound of running water before a voice rang out, "I'm in the bedroom!"

She furrowed her eyebrows before dropping her bag and making a beeline for the bedroom.

The sight she got absolutely took her breath away.

A bubble bath, complete with her favorite scented candle and Kindle, were set up and waiting for her.

Jia looked to Reuben, her eyes impossibly big. "How did you know?"

He smiled gently, walking towards her in large steps. "Because I know what's going through your head right now. I've known since I walked out the door this morning. It's been on your mind for a while now, and I figured you needed something to finally relax, even just for a little while."