All The Ways We Touch [BxB]

eighty-one - aftershocks pt. two

By the time they had calmed down, Harvey and a team of six lawyers arrived and asked Vera to step out of the room. Then they hurried the boys to tell them all of what happened so that they could come up with a strategy before the FBI showed up to interview them. Ultimately, they saw it as a clear-cut case of self-defense when it came to Timothy and Sarah; the only problem was a lack of evidence to support Elliot's assertions about his father and to tie him to the crimes. They believed him; they made that clear, but they weren't as confident that the agents would.

Agents Roy Bateman and Freddie Goggins arrived shortly after they finished their discussion. Roy stayed with Jamison, and three of the lawyers in the hospital room, and Freddie took Elliot and his trio of lawyers off to another room that the hospital wasn't using for his interview.

Hours later, Elliot and his lawyers returned to the hospital room to discuss what had occurred. Like a magnet, Elliot was immediately back at Jamison's side, his hand back on his thigh as he sat in the chair, trying not to become too concerned by how worn out he looked.

The lawyers mostly talked amongst themselves for a long time, and then the head lawyer, a man named Irwin, looked at them.

"We agree that it went well overall. There were some tough questions, but you both handled them with grace. Our next step, and theirs, is going to be looking for evidence to prove or disprove your accusations and assertions. I expect that the FBI is going to find proof when they pull telephone and bank records, and the flight logs. For now, they seem content, but if they contact you, do not speak to them without us. Ms. Harvey is going to leave you our cards. Do not hesitate to call us at any time, day or night." After that, he and the other lawyers filed out of the room much like the Seven Dwarfs, only quieter.

After hugs and assertions that she was going to help them prove their case along with Garrison, Harvey left, too, finally leaving the boys alone.

"You look exhausted," Elliot said, reaching up and gently touching Jamison's jaw, avoiding the areas with bandages. "Are you okay?"

Sighing lightly, Jamison nodded shallowly. "They were really hung up on Sarah...they said I'm covered in defensive wounds. All the damage she did points to her fighting to survive, rather than fighting to kill me," he said slowly, trying to keep from wheezing. "I only have the burn mark on my chest from the taser, which is a self-defense weapon. I don't know if they believe me, Elli...but maybe they're right. Maybe I just murdered her..." Then came the tears again.

Elliot climbed onto his bed and rubbed his thigh, immensely frustrated that he couldn't hold and soothe him properly. "You're not a killer, Jamison. You were forced to defend yourself, and you know that she would've killed you and me if you hadn't..." he trailed off. "Defended us like you did. You saved our lives, Jam, you're a fucking hero. She was screaming about killing you, even as Timothy was punching me. I could hear that, and I told the FBI that and showed them my burn marks from when she tased me. Hopefully that'll be enough."

"How can you even touch me when you know what I'm capable of?" he whispered, relishing the feeling of Elliot touching him. "I've killed two people and tried to kill one of them years ago. I-I'm dangerous, Elliot. I'm violent. You should be afraid of me."

Scoffing, Elliot leaned in and kissed his temple. "You saved my life, Jamison. You're my protector," he whispered against his ear. It was clear that he was going to need a lot of therapy. They both were. "I love you more than anything in this world. I'm never, ever letting you go, and you can't convince me otherwise."

"I just want to be home and in bed with you," he admitted, sighing lightly. "I love you more than I thought I could ever love someone. I'll never, ever let anyone hurt you."