Mess Hall

"Yeah, deep down..deep down i know that, but...but right this moment i am nowhere near close to being alright."

"And no one would expect you to be. After... everything you went through, of course you're not okay. But you're lucky, you've got your mom with you, and I can tell she loves you very much. And everyone here will take care of you guys, make sure you never have to worry again and anything you worried about there. I mean anything."

We walked in and I smiled when I saw Chelsi. "Oh my goodness, you have really grown up. You have gotten so beautiful Chels," I said and hugged her. "You always were though. How are you doing?"

"Oh..oh my gosh Mrs.Osterman, i....oh wow hi." i said hugging her. "I...i am...well okay, or getting there."



I smiled and hugged her back. "Just Faye, please. I'm so happy to see you, you've really grown up. How do you like it here so far?"

"Jack is nice, and Link has a cool owl, and josie likes me. Seems johnathon likes mom as well." i smirked.



I smiled. "I think so too. I really am so happy to see you. Do you remember Jason, that used to work with Jasper? I... well I came here with him. I left Jasper and came here with him."

I started to back up, "here..he....a peacekeeper is here? No...we, they arent taking me, they will come now...mom...." i said and passed out cold.



"get me a cold rag, now please." I said and looked at Faye " this happens sometimes now."



"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, I never meant to upset her," I said and knelt down beside her as Jack brought over a rag and gave it to Beth. "Jason's good, he was never a bad Peacekeeper, he's good, he wouldn't hurt anybody. Except Jasper, he beat the shit out of Jasper when he saw him hit me. Oh god, I'm sorry, will she be okay?"

Jack picked her up and laid her on the table. "yes, I think she just is tired. The trip, all these men, now Jason, she will see he is okay though."

"I have some tea in my bag that might help her relax. You're more than welcome to it. I made it myself, I used to drink it all the time."

I woke up and looked around, seeing my mom and Faye. "I...im sorry."



I helped sit her up while jack got another cold rag. "Hey, no worries kiddo ok, we got you and noone is ever gonna hurt you here. Ever, right guys?" i said.

"Nope, we'll make sure of that. I told you Chelsi, we'll always take care of you here. You don't ever have to worry about anything ever again."



"Jon's right," I said as I brought the rag back. "You're one of us now, and we take care of our own."



"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to upset you sweetheart. Jason isn't bad, he was never like any of the others. The night we left together he saved me from Jasper. He would never do anything to hurt you, I swear it."

Brett and I walked into the Mess Hall and I seen two familiar face "Hey, is everything okay?"

I got up and went over to them. "Everything's fine. Beth and Chelsi Carpenter are here too. Chelsi's just having a... well, a hard time."

I looked at my mom and then at jack, " I, I'm sorry. Can we just make breakfast now please?" I asked, not looking at Jason.

I knelt down in front of her. "You don't have any reason to apologize. I want you to know though, I grew up with Jason. We were best friends. I never would have allowed him to stay here if I thought he was dangerous in any way. If he makes you uncomfortable though, I can talk to him and have him steer clear of you. I want you to feel safe here. Why don't you sit here and I'll bring you a plate alright?"

"Really, you... you grew up with him. I.. I trust you Jack, if you say it's okay, I... I believe you. I still wanna help if that's okay, please.

I smiled. "Absolutely. I could use the help."

I got up slowly and looked at Faye. "I...i am sorry, i...well i just guess it will take some time is all."

I smiled at her. "Like Jack said, you don't have anything to apologize for," I said and gave her a hug.

I followed Jack and Johnathon into the kitchen and returned to the pancakes. "So, i said to johnathon, guess you kinda like my mom."



"Shes so strong, i mean stronger than she ever should have needed to be at this age. I wont apologize for her though, i dont know i wouldnt be the same."

I smiled. "Yes I do. I like your mother very much. I hope you're alright with that."



"There's nothing to apologize for. She's doing very well for everything she's been through. I can't imagine how hard all of this has been for you. I don't know how I would be if all of that had happened to me."

"Well she definitely likes you too, i want her happy..can...i just want that for her."



I smiled. "Yeah, of course. I just want you to know though... I would never ever hurt her. Or you. I promise."



I looked at him a minute, then jack and link." Why are all of you so nice?"

" We just are living differently, and are better men than that hon. Right guys."



"Yup, that about sums it up. It's the way I was raised to be. Then my mama was killed and... I guess in a way I try to honor her by being the way she taught me to be."

beth~ "I worry, wonder will she ever really be okay. Only time will tell. I am so glad you are here, i really missed you." i said and hugged her.

Faye - "I really missed you too," I said, hugging her back. "She will be okay. It's going to take a lot of time, but she will. And I'll do everything I can, for you and for her. I'm so glad you're here."

Beth~ "I am too." i said and looked at Jason. "Who is the other, havent seen him yet."

Faye - "Who, Link or Jack? I haven't seen Link around much. I think he keeps to himself a lot. Jack is... kind of the one in charge around here. He and Jason were best friends growing up."

We had breakfast and hung out, gardening and unpacking all day and i put an exhausted chelsi to bed, before johnathon and i too fell fast asleep.

It had been a couple weeks and we had settled in. Jack was making breakfast and Link an i were sending the bird out. "I cant wait to hear from him." i said as he readied her. I pulled out Ethans shirt and the bird rubbed his head against it and then took off.