Help

Wyatt relaxes just as little, trusting Katie that everything is okay. His reflexes beg him to draw near and help, but something holds him back. This is something the two of them have gone through before, and Wyatt doesn’t want to interfere.

Jason takes a deep breath, trying to stabilize himself. He knew Katie was right. By so many things going wrong, and by him allowing himself to dwell on them, he’d left the back door open to the past again. He’d been so focused on other things that he’d forgotten to watch his back. But now the nightmares were here again. He’d conquered them once. Could he a second time?

He finally lifts his head, attempting to compose himself. He wants to tell Katie yes, but he’s not sure what he can do anymore of what he’s even capable of. He takes a swipe at his eyes with the back of his hand, drying them, though he is still pale, his hands still shaking as his body reacts to the sudden shock it experienced.

Swallowing hard, Jason finally turns his head to look at Katie. For just a moment, he allows his eyes to lock with hers. The pain courses through his stare, and he knows she feels it. For but an instant, he regains the connection he’d missed since he’d been gone. But he blinks, quickly breaking it.

He’s not sure he can do this, but he tries to give Katie what she wants to hear. “I’ll be okay, Katie….” He draws in a shaky breath. “I was just caught off guard was all.” He shifts his weight, attempting to stand, and suddenly he sees a hand offered. Looking up, he sees Wyatt.

Wyatt gives him a nod, and in but one look, conveys that nothing seen goes any further, and nothing has changed. He’s simply here to help.

Jason hesitates, but finally accepts the hand up, needing to lean on Wyatt just a bit as his knee buckles on him.

Wyatt stuffs his phone back in his pocket. “Laura’s expecting all three of us…how about we get to her place and have some peace and quiet for a while.” He glances at Katie. “On my way down I saw Dad for just a second and he said he wanted to see you. You can talk to him now or tomorrow when you come in.”