Jason watched Bevis sitting next to the fire. He had handed her a cup of Irish coffee. It was strong even by his standards, but she simply sat staring into the blazing fire, warm enough that it was felt from where Jason stood, watching her absently sip at the cup, even when it was empty. He had seen shock before, but nothing like this, and was worried. Jason felt her hands when taking the cup from her; they were still cold. He had spoken to her, but she didn't hear him. Thankfully her hands were not as icy as before, and colour was back in her cheeks.

"Is she any better?" Caroline asked.

"She is still cold," Jason said, "but the colour of her skin and lips is returning. How bad does it have to be that she reacts like this?"

"Very bad," Jake said softly as he and Chelsea entered, holding hands, "Mom and Dad, this is Chelsea."

Caroline looked at the woman clinging to Jake's hand, "He got you by surprise, didn't he?"

"Yeah, I didn't see him until it was too late," Chelsea whispered, gently touching the gash across her cheekbone that disappeared into her hairline, "how is Bev?"

"She has been sitting like that for nearly two hours," Jason said, sighing, "she isn't talking; I'm not sure she comprehends much. She may react badly to seeing you like that. Do you want to get it sorted before you talk to her?"

Chelsea looked at Jake before clearing her throat and shaking her head, "You need to see to Jake first," she shook her head as Jake opened his mouth to speak, "I'm holding his hand, so it's not that obvious he's bleeding."

Caroline glared at her son, "Jake take the jacket off."

"Chels, I was going to see to it when I was on my own," Jake growled, "now Mom is going to worry about me every time I go anywhere."

"They have a right to know," Chelsea said, helping him take his jacket off, "besides if you hadn't stepped in when you did, I would have been dead. I won't have your death on my conscience."

Jason narrowed his eyes at seeing his brother's shoulder, "That isn't one knife wound," he carefully lifted the shirt from the oozing wounds, "that is four. How come you're still alive?"

Jake shrugged, "I guess I'm lucky."

Chelsea snorted, "Luck had nothing to do with it," she raised her eyebrows at his glare, "don't look at me like that," she sighed, "I was still stunned from the blow that came out of nowhere and the vision of a descending knife when suddenly I was knocked to the floor, and Jake was taking the thrusts of the knife," Chelsea shook her head, "he must have been in agony, but he took him out like he was born to do so."

"Where is ..." Jason inhaled, controlling his anger before he exploded, "Brad?"

"He was arrested," Jake said, "with the restraining orders, the attack on Chelsea, and now me; I doubt he will get out on bail soon, but we can't be sure."

"Let's hope not," Josiah said, frowning at his son's injuries, "go with your mother and get that seen to." Chelsea moved to go with him, but Josiah stopped her, "Nice to meet you, Chelsea," he stretched out his hand, shaking hers, "I would let those two go on their own," he glanced over his shoulder as Mother and son disappeared toward the kitchen, "Caroline will have something to say to Jake that I'm sure he won't want anyone to hear."

"A mother's lecture is never good to hear after age twenty," Chelsea grinned, turning toward Bevis' still form, "two hours, hey Jason?"

"Yeah, at least there is colour in her cheeks," Jason said, "when she heard about your attack, she was so pale I thought she was going to faint and nearly backed into the river ... I'm glad I was quick enough to stop her."

"I've seen Bevis go through some traumatic times but never seen her faint or be like this," Chelsea said, "let me see if I can snap her out of this."

"One look at your face will do it," Josiah said, "I think she is trying to hold it together until you get here."

"She looks strong and capable," Chelsea said, "so much so I've never known when she is terrified. Like last week on the river rafting thing ..." Chelsea shook her head, "it was only on the last night when she went missing after that incident with Brad and may have ended up sleeping in the forest for the night that she broke down in the tent and told me how scared she had been the entire trip."

"She is strong," Josiah said, "but I think she must reach beyond herself to get through these uncharted waters."

"She has been out of her depth for more than a year now," Chelsea sighed, "I think she will need to reach beyond herself, as you said, Josiah, to get back on her feet."

"See what you can do, Chels," Jason said, "she needs to rest. To do that, she needs to engage her brain."

Nodding, Chelsea moved toward the immovable woman still staring into the fire.

"When did you start caring for her?" Josiah whispered, stepping close behind Jason.

"Care for who?" Jason asked, frowning as he watched Chelsea squat in front of Bevis taking her hand.

"For Bev," Josiah said, "don't try and deny it," he chuckled, "it's all over your face," grasping Jason's shoulder, he smiled. "You're talking to someone who has been where you are. So, tell me ..." he met his son's resigned gaze, "when did you start caring for her?"

"It was two days into the rafting trip that I realised I cared for her more than I should for a customer, but it was when Candy pointed her out on the list and at the meet and greet at the hotel that I fell ... and hard. I was supposed to go with the more experienced crew, and Brad was supposed to take the beginners."

"Brad with the beginners," Josiah shook his head, "somehow I don't think that would have been a good thing at all."

"Looking back now and having met the beginner group, I don't think it was a good thing either," Jason said, "I wanted to assess Bevis for myself instead of believing everything Brad had said about her."

"What made you want that?" Josiah asked, his brows puckering a little.

"Something Candy said about him," Jason said, "and my own instinct about the person who showed up. She seemed confident in some things but nervous in others," he sighed, "I wanted to find out why ... and I did. The kick she gave Brad was worthy of a successful field goal."

"That hard, hey," Josiah chuckled, "I almost feel sorry for him ... almost."

"I felt it from where I was pitching my tent," Jason grinned, "but how he behaved toward her and what he said to her gave me what I needed to get rid of him."

"I'm glad you did," Josiah said, nodding, "I would never want someone like that around you. You need someone to watch you back and help you grow your business."

Jason smiled, "Thanks, Dad," he sighed as he looked back at the women in front of the fire, "we just need to get him out of their lives as well."

"We will," Josiah said, "it may not be how we want it to be, but we will."

Bevis blinked slowly; the blaze of the fire forming different shapes every time she opened her eyes mesmerised her. The numbness remained settled in her chest, making her limbs heavy and cold. Chelsea ... tears gathered in her eyes but didn't fall, her best friend could be in a hospital or worse ... she didn't want to go there, couldn't go there. So many what-if scenarios were going through her head. She felt a warm, soft hand gently take hers. It felt good to have something warm to hold. She heard her name, a female voice calling, but she still stared into the flames.

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"Bevis, look at me," she heard Chelsea saying; blinking, she frowned, "I'm here, and I'm alive."

Was Chelsea here?

Frowning, Bevis turned her head, taking in her best friend's bruised and battered face. It looked like Chelsea, sounded like Chelsea.

"Chels, you're here," she whispered.

"I'm here," Chelsea winked and smiled, "and I'm happy you're still your goofy old self."

Gasping, Bevis threw her arms around Chelsea's neck. The floodgates she had held back broke, and she sobbed into Chelsea's shoulder.

"It's okay," Chelsea whispered, "I'm alive, and so is Jake. We're here, and we're going to be okay."

"Oh, Chels," Bevis sobbed, pulling away and gently cupping Chelsea's face, "what did he do to you?"

"One hit," Chelsea said, frowning a little, "I think it was with his fist, I didn't know he was there, and I didn't see it coming."

"You said Jake was okay what happened to him?" Bevis asked, frantically looking around, "Where is he? How did you get here?"

"Bev, breathe," Chelsea whispered, "listen to me ..." she waited until Bevis met her gaze, "Jake saved my life. He stepped in when Brad would have stabbed me to find out where you are. Jakes is getting patched up with his Mom," she grasped Bevis' hands cupping her face, "he took four stab wounds, but it didn't seem to affect him," Chelsea smiled, "Brad was taken down and is in police custody at the moment."

"Will he be let go?" Bevis asked, worry heavy in her eyes and dripping on every word; she glanced around as if she expected to see him walk in.

"I don't know," Chelsea said, gently stroking a piece of hair from her friend's face, "how come you're here? I thought you were going to look at a cabin today."

"I did," Bevis said, inhaling and shaking her head, "it seems like a lifetime ago. It turned out to be Jason's cabin, and it's beautiful."

"And?" Chelsea prompted, "Are you going to buy it?"

Bevis stared at Chelsea, "What?"

"Bev, are you going to buy the cabin?" Chelsea asked.

"Oh ..." she sighed before a smile creased her lips, "I think I will."

"That is awesome," Chelsea said, glancing over her shoulder, "perhaps we should go tell Jason. I don't think he has moved from that spot in the last few hours."

"What makes you say that?" Bevis asked, glancing at father and son.

"When Jake and I arrived, he was in that position watching you," Chelsea winked, "I think he truly cares about you."

"Chels, don't," Bevis whispered, "I'm... I can't... not now."

"I'm not an idiot," Chelsea said, "I'm just stating my observations."

"Okay," Bevis said, shaking her head, "you're really okay?"

"I probably have a concussion and will have a headache for a day or two but other than this," she pointed at her face, "I'm okay. Jake is the one who everyone should be worrying about. But it seems this family takes this kind of thing in their stride."

Nodding, Bevis felt a smile lift the corner of her lips, "I think they have a lot of experience with people who aren't... nice."

Chelsea stared at her, "What?" suddenly, she was gurgling with laughter, "No need to be polite about that man. He is ..." she paused, "he needs lots of help, but the expression I saw on his face tonight ..." she shuddered, "he was taking pleasure in causing pain. He is not a good person."

Nodding, Bevis hugged Chelsea again, "I'm so relieved you're okay."

"Can we move away from this fire?" Chelsea asked, "It's rather hot."

"I guess it is," Bevis said, glancing at the flames, "I wonder why they made it so warm."

"For you," Chelsea whispered, "everything done here tonight has been done solely for your comfort."

Bevis looked down at the blankets still around her shoulders and tucked around her legs, "I remember drinking coffee; I think they put something strong in it."

"That would be the Irish coffee you drank without knowing you were drinking it," Chelsea said, "you ready to join them now?"

Bevis nodded, "I am."

"Then come on," Chelsea smiled, pulling Bevis to her feet, folding the blankets neatly, and placing them over the chair's arm, "let's start relieving Jason of his anxiety."

Bevis sighed, "I guess it's the least I could do."

"Great," Chelsea said, slipping her arm around Bevis' waist, "I can't wait to get away from that bank of heat."

Bevis chuckled, "Maybe that's why Jason sits over there instead of next to me."

"You could be right," Chelsea said as they approached the waiting men, "she has returned to normality."

"Thank you, Chels," Jason said, sighing, "how are you feeling?"

Glancing at Chelsea, Bevis sighed, "Grateful to all of you, grateful that Chelsea is okay, relieved I don't have to go back to the city tonight and a little silly for how I reacted."

"Everyone reacts differently to news like that," Josiah said, "when I first met her, Caroline would physically retreat behind closed and locked doors for hours but now ..." he glanced at Jason, "she would be looking for a baseball bat."

"That is true," Jason said, "my mother doesn't take any nonsense these days."

Nodding, Bevis swallowed, "Perhaps I'll be like that someday."

"Someday?" Josiah asked, frowning, "That would mean you'll never be like that if you asked some professionals. Choose when that someday is Bevis otherwise, that someday will choose when it arrives."

"It chooses?" Chelsea asked.

"Yep, it does," Josiah said, "it chooses to never arrive. The way you live your life is your choice Bevis. Decide how and when you're going to say "enough is enough" and take no nonsense."

Staring at the two men thoughtfully, Bevis realised how right Josiah was, "Guess I have a lot of thinking to do."

"You'll get it as well," Caroline said, coming in with a younger version of Jason behind her, "I don't think you've met my other son ...Jake, this is Bevis."

Jake hesitated, "We have met, but I must say when I first heard the name, I was expecting a guy," he said, grinning, "but I like what I see; hi..." he stretched out his hand to shake Bevis', "I'm guessing you've heard that line all your life."

"I have," Bevis said, cautiously shaking Jake's hand, "I'm glad you're okay."

Josiah looked at the clock, "It's almost eight o'clock," he smiled at Caroline, "who's hungry?"

"Eight o'clock," Bevis said, "that long ... I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologise," Caroline said, "everything worked out perfectly. We'll leave the men to discuss what will be done next while we ladies get some food on the table."

"Do you have any wine?" Chelsea asked, "Perhaps Tequila? Vodka?"

"We have all of those," Caroline said, sliding her arm around Bevis' waist and drawing her along with them, "just as long as you don't want me to mix them all together."

Chelsea laughed, "No, that won't be necessary."

"Good, I don't know what it would taste like or what it would do to you," Caroline said, "let's get a drink first and then decide on food."

Jason, Jake and Josiah watched the three women move into the kitchen before looking at each other and shaking their heads.

"Are you truly okay?" Josiah asked Jake.

"Yes, Dad," Jake nodded, "one thing I didn't tell Chelsea ..." he glanced in that direction, "I let Brad stab me ...granted, I wasn't looking at four times, but it was allowed on purpose before I took him down."

"Why?" Jason asked, frowning at his little brother.

"Attempted murder of a federal agent is a mandatory jail sentence," Jakes said, shrugging, "along with the restraining orders obtained and the security footage of breaking in and tampering with many women's apartments and things ..." he paused as though trying to remember something, "oh yes and we found out where he is working from," Jake shook his head, "Brad is one sick individual and unless he bribes his way out of prison he won't be getting out anytime soon."

"That is good to know," Josiah nodded, "but he isn't dead. You both know what that means," he sighed, "both those women will need to move onto our land." Jake and Jason looked at each other before grinning, "I see the bug has bitten you as well, Jake," Josiah smiled, "now we need to find someone for Candy."

"Oh no," Jake said, shaking his head, "we tried that years ago and will never do so again."

"Yeah, not a chance Dad," Jason said, "she is way too picky and fussy about the men she meets, and to boot it all, we were scolded for interfering with her love life ..." Jason closed his eyes, grimacing, "for nearly two years."

"But if you want to give it a go," Jake said, looking at their father, "you go right ahead but don't say we didn't warn you."

"Hey, no discussing Candy," Caroline said, "remember how she hates being spoken about behind her back."

The three men shuddered, "Sure, Mom," Jake said, "it's not something any of us could forget."

Caroline disappeared smiling, but Josiah stood frowning in her wake.

"Dad?" Jason asked, "What's on your mind?"

"Brad worked for your company," Josiah said, "he had access to all the addresses on file," he looked at Jason, who nodded, "... you fired him, and he went back to the city before you did."

"Yes, what are you getting at?" Jason asked.

Jake paled, "You don't think he would do something to ..." he paused, "... you cannot be thinking... Candy."

"Someone who would hit Chelsea without thinking about it," Josiah said, "or stab her until she tells him what he wants to know isn't going to stop at ending a family member of ours. We cannot allow that to happen. Where is your sister?"