Brave Enough

Seventeen

      Buck knocks on James's apartment door. Marcus opens the door shocking Buck. He raises his index finger to his lips signaling to stay quiet. Cleo squeezes past the door and Marcus and hugs Buck. "James is sad. She doesn't want visitors right now," she says. Buck lifts her up.

      "What's going on Marcus?"

       "Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Noemi's death. Today is her birthday. So she's pretty upset. Noemi always did something special for the two of them on James's birthday. And now she's gone. I can't get her out of bed. She won't eat. I'm worried this will trigger her ptsd."

     "Do you think I could help?"

      "Maybe. It's worth the try if it could work...." Marcus's words are cut off by screaming.

     "Colin no!" She screams. "Please not today!" They run into the apartment to find James standing in the kitchen dripping blood and holding a large knife. "Please. I'll..."

      "Cleopatra go to your room," Marcus says. "James put the knife down." James is shaking. "James he's not here. Baby you're safe. Daddy's here. Buck's here." Clarity forms in James's previously fear filled eyes. 

        Buck's eyes search for the source of the bleeding. "Baby what did you do? You're bleeding."

      "I didn't mean too," she cries. "I hate him. I hate this day. She drops the knife into the sink and walks over to one of the drawers. Pulling out a black bag she closes the drawer and sits at the counter. "I was stuck in a memory. From my last birthday with Colin. As usual I had messed something up. I think I wore the wrong dress that day. He said I looked like a cheap tramp. He threw his normal fit. He hit me, kicked me, and mentally and emotionally abused me. But this time he went a little too far. He slit my left wrist. Colin immediately panicked and took me to the hospital. I was put on a psych hold because he told the doctor he came home and I was about to do my right wrist. Six months later I was in the hospital because of him for the last time," Buck and Marcus watch as James stitches herself up.

      "You know how to do stitches?" Buck asks.

     "After the chest wound Colin figured it would look bad on him if I kept ending in the ER with serious injuries. So he had a plastic surgeon buddy of his teach me. Notice the lack of scarring? I learn fast."

       "Let's make new memories. Good ones. We can do a road trip. Laguna beach maybe? You love the beach. Eddie is off so maybe him and Christopher can join us. Cleo loves Christopher," Buck suggests enthusiastically.

      James thinks for a moment. "Okay that sounds fun. Dad are you okay with that?"

      "Can we at least take you to the station and have them look you over first?" James nods. "Alright I'll get Cleo ready. Buck why don't you take James there and then you two can get ready and we'll meet here in an hour. Buck can I speak to you in private for a moment?"

      "Sure. Why don't we go switch Cleo's car seat from James's car to mine?"

"I'll just go pack my stuff up." James turns and walks into her room. Sitting down she pulls out her prescription fluoxetine and takes one. "Calm down, James."

"What's going on Marcus? What are you doing back?"

"Colin's gone. We've searched all over Florida and the surrounding states. He's just disappeared. That's what I'm doing back here. They've officially put me on the case. No more Florida undercover work."

"When Marcus?"

"About two months. We've been searching this whole time," Marcus says rubbing his head. "You cannot tell James yet. She's already overly stressed."

"Dammit Marcus. Two months.l? You couldn't have given us a warning? He's stalking your..." Buck stops to think. "Shit. That's what changed. Two months ago he called her. He told her he'd find her. He's called seven more times since. All new numbers. All untraceable burner phones. Does Athena know?"

"No I was going to tell her tonight. I know she'll be pissed. But they just told me I could alert James. I wouldn't be able to work this case if I had broken protocol."

****

"What happened here James?" Hen asks examining her wrist.

"I accidentally slit my wrist during a memory flare up. I'm fine though. They just want to make sure I don't get an infection."

"Are you taking your..."

"Yes," James's eyes widen telling Hen to stop.

"Looks like you'll be fine. Excellent suture work Buck."

"Oh no that wasn't me. James did it. She apparently knows how to stitch," Hen and Bobby give each other worried looks.

"I'm fine okay? It's time for new memories remember Buck?"

"Right let's go to my apartment to get packed up."

****

"I wanted to give this to you while we were alone. Happy Birthday, James. I love you," Buck holds out a small jewelry box with a small yellow bow on top.

"Thank you, Buck. But you didn't have to get me anything." James opens the small box to reveal a white gold ring with a flower made from sapphire and diamonds. The ring is attached to a white gold necklace. "It's beautiful, Buck. Will you?" Buck lifts the necklace from the box and stands behind her.

"It was my grandmothers. The night she passed she told me to give this to the person I loved the most," Buck's hands fall from the clasp to James's hips. He lowers his lips to her neck and kisses her softly. "Happy birthday to my Sun. For my world revolves around you."