Brave Enough

Twelve

     "Sit here Aless. You need to rest and stay stress free. This is Jerome and Talia they are incredible hackers. We want to begin our own investigation on this case. Your father is on board he just is unaware of the fact you are part of this task force. So you have to act as clueless as possible," Athena tells James.

"I'm here you can be protected and we can find the evidence on the son of a bitch stalking and killing women. We have a software that consistently checks for bugs. So from now on here and at home you are able to go by James. So I will be gone for about three days. I will be bugging Colin's everything. If he moves we know. If he searches anything we know. Anything he does we will know. Athena has filled Talia and I in on the situation," he says. Jerome turns to the group. "Alright let's get started. This will be the home base. Second command station will be James's since it's more secure as well. I leave in the morning. I will contact you with updates."

     "Okay when do we start? Who all knows?" James asks. She's ready. For this whole mess to be done with Colin. "I'm so done with Colin. His abusive had me in the hospital many times over the year and a half I was with him. Now this mess. Even if he isn't the killer I want him to leave me alone. I'm tired of the three am calls. Thank you to everyone who is willing to help with all of this. I hate that Colin has now put more lives in danger and more than likely taken a few of them."

"I like this one. Evan where did you find this one? Most clients are whiny little brats who want to fabricate an affair on their spouse hand so they can leave and take a chunk of money. James, even though a legitimate victim, doesn't play helpless and lazy," Talia says.

"Haha well she's strong and perfect. Wait until you meet Cleo. She's just like her. Isn't she babe?" Buck looks at James.

James laughs, "well she's definitely stubborn like me. We get that from mom. Although Marcus seems to be stubborn as well. I'm tired of being the victim. I just want to be a survivor and use my past to strengthen my future. I don't really care about me but my concern is with Cleo. She can not live her whole life afraid of the world," James pauses. "Cleopatra is an amazing child. She deserves to grow up knowing she's worth more than what she's going through."

"I love that name. Cleopatra. That really does fit our girl. Baby girl don't you ever forget your own worth. James you listen to me. I've only ever met one other woman who's been through hell and back is Maddie. You remind me so much of her. So the people who know of our little makeshift task force. The four of us, Maddie, Marcus except your involvement, Bobby, Hen, Eddie, Chimney, and a personal friend Shepard King and his business partner Zedd Piercing. They will act as your body guards as well as our various other needs. But they will explain when they arrive either tonight or tomorrow," Athena responds to James's question.

Buck's phone rings. "Hey Marcus. Yeah she's here. Are you kidding me? You do realize Athena will not let her stay alone anymore, right? Yeah you can talk to her," Buck hands James his phone.

"Hey Daddy."

"What are you doing Aless?"

"Hanging out with the family. Well Bobby has Cleo but Buck and Athena are here. I think May and Harry will be home from school soon. We'll probably do dinner and watch a movie," James lies smoothly. When she hangs up she sighs. "Sorry. I know y'all don't want him to know. It's hard though because I've grown to love him the last couple of weeks. I had to learn how to lie with Colin. If I did anything he didn't like and he knew I wouldn't be able to move for days when he was done with his punishments."

Athena and Buck close their fists into tight white knuckled fists. "What's got these two looking like they're going to fight someone?" Eddie asks walking through the door. James waves at him.

"It's this whole mess I've dragged everyone into. He's just a nightmare," James answers. "What can I do to help? I'm not sitting around waiting for something else to happen. And I will not let y'all do all of the work. I cannot let you do all of it," James says with determination in her voice. Athena smiles.

"James I want you with Jerome and I for now. We're going to go step by step everything and I mean everything that happened from the beginning of your relationship to the end. Buck help Talia get everything set up," Athena moves us to the kitchen. "Eddie. Honestly I think with your training you should come with the three of us."

     Eddie follows behind them closing the door behind him. "If I may. I think we should get Sargent Reno Roslind in on it. He's ex military. Not afraid of getting in trouble. And a damn good ally. I could call him up after James gives us the run down of their relationship."

      "I like the idea of getting this Sargent involved. That can be a great boost," Jerome says. Athena and James nod in agreement.

••••

      "Okay shit. I think we can all agree until Colin is taken care of Buckley cannot under any circumstances know any of this information. Or at least the more intense and sensitive parts. He's too rash," Eddie says.

     "That's why I haven't told him. I know he would go crazy. He's so protective. He'd do anything to get vengeance. I'm scared he'll get himself killed. I do think I know some about the MO though. So the scar on my chest I just ended up in the hospital for. He specifically cut me up like that and then used a wine bottle to finish the job," Eddie's eyes are wide. "But then he pulled it out and took me to the hospital. At first he apologized profusely. His whole personality changed the second we were in the ER. He went from apologetic to this boyfriend whom I'd never seen. Like an act." James looks up. "I don't think I was the first one. It felt like he'd been through the routine before."

     "Okay I think we should send in an undercover agent," Jerome says. "Either as a forced partner or as a possible escaped victim. James I want you to work with Talia on finding out if he's actually done this before. I think you're on the right track. We also need to find someone who can analyze his mental state from afar." Jerome smiles. "I love puzzles and you my new friend brought me an excellent one. To put together. I need to go get ready for my travels. Have a great night everyone. James take care of yourself young one."

**** So update Brave Enough has officially hit 1k!!!! Thank you everyone for your patience and views!! In honor of hitting this milestone I've decided to do a couple name for Buckley and James. Please comment the best one!! #Muckley #Mack #Jevan or #Javan.