Turning back to the sub Jonathan called, "Get out now. Go." The submarine driver closed the hatch and headed out. Jonathan pushed Jennifer behind him and hoped she had enough strength to stand on her own.
"It’s over Elliot. I’m taking my family home."
"You found me a little sooner than expected."
"You always did underestimate me." Jonathan held his hands behind him, feeling for the gun he put in the back of his pants.
"Ah aha," Elliot approached him. "No funny stuff. Hand me the gun."
Jonathan dropped the gun on the deck and kicked towards Elliot. "You won’t get away with this."
"I don’t plan to. My only goal is to kill you Jonathan and it appears that I will get away with that." Elliot held the gun pointed at Jonathan’s chest and wished his head would stop pounding long enough for him to kill his nemesis.
"Oh." Jennifer began to slide down onto he ground.
Jonathan could feel her falling and instinctively turned to help her. "Jennifer?" He looked at her and saw her smile and glance at the life preserver on the rail. Jonathan smiled back. Laying her on the ground, he quickly grabbed the preserver and flung it towards Elliot.
Elliot fired but with the hammering in his head as the result of Max’s assault, he missed. Jonathan lunged, grabbing the hand that held the gun and rapping it on his thigh to force Elliot to drop it. Elliot grabbed Jonathan hugging him close to ward off punches. Instead, Jonathan used his weight to force Elliot over on the deck. Even with the incessant jackhammering in his brain, Elliot understood this was a fight to the death. Instinctively, his body thrashed, pushing Jonathan off. He scrambled for the gun knowing that he wasn’t physically able to compete with Jonathan. He was able to get his hand on it. He pulled it towards him until a burn in his hand forced him to drop it. Looking up he saw Jennifer stepping on his hand. As he withdrew it, she kicked it over the edge of the boat.
Jonathan grabbed Elliot slamming his head into the deck. Hoisting himself up over Elliot, Jonathan proceeded to punch Elliot relentlessly in the face. Jonathan’s mind went blank as the reason for his anger, grief and despair lay beneath him. All the hate flowed to his fists that pounded and pummeled intent on the ultimate destruction of the man that threatened to destroy his life.
"Jonathan?" Jennifer laid a hand on his shoulder. It took all her strength to remain standing and go to him. As much as she would have liked Jonathan to kill Elliot, she knew it would be something that would haunt Jonathan forever. "Darling?" she said as she sank to her knees on the deck. "Don’t kill him. He’s not worth it."
Jonathan stopped, sitting back on Elliot’s gut. Elliot barely held on to consciousness. "Listen to your wife." Elliot’s voice was like sandpaper.
"You shut up." Jonathan pulled his arm back in a threat. Elliot turned his head, ready to take the blow. Jennifer took his fist and pulled it to her lips.
"Please Jonathan. Take me home."
Jonathan looked at Jennifer. She was hurt, tired and weak and still she was trying to save him. "Oh God, Jennifer." He pulled her to him, holding her close, filling himself with her.
The next two days were a blur to Jonathan, Jennifer and Max. The sub had returned for Jonathan and Jennifer. After tying Elliot up, Jennifer and Jonathan returned to the ship and two other crewmen went back for Elliot who was then locked up. Nick notified the authorities and arranged for a helicopter to transport Elliot back to land and to prison. Jonathan considered transporting his family back on helicopter as well but the ship’s doctor advised against it. Jennifer had been unconscious and he wanted to be able to observe her. Other than that, her injuries were considered minor. For Jonathan however, all injuries seemed too much for him. Although he had Jennifer and Max with him, he couldn’t shake the dark feelings that had become a part of him over the last several days.
Jennifer spent the first 12 hours sleeping in two-hour shifts out of concern for concussion. Each time Jonathan woke her up, a huge wave of relief swept through her and she held him until sleep overtook her again. The next day however, she rested on her own, encouraging Jonathan to be with Max.
Jonathan and Max spent the days exploring the ship. Jonathan felt he should talk with Max about what had happened but found it difficult. So instead they played.
"This will be mine someday huh?"
"Trying to get rid of me already eh?" Jonathan and Max were up on the bridge high over the rest of the ship.
"Nah. I was just wondering."
"Well, if you’d like to be a part of Hart Industries someday then I guess this will be yours, sort of."
"Sort of?" Max didn’t think that sounded so good.
"I don’t own all of Hart Industries."
"You don’t?"
"No. I control most of it but stockholders own the company."
"Why did you do that?"
Jonathan laughed at Max’s incredulous tone. "To get money so I could make Hart Industries bigger and better."
"Hmmm." Max turned to look over the water. "Maybe I’ll be a policeman instead."
Jonathan ruffled Max’s hair. "Probably more exciting."
"Then I could kill Elliot and people like him."
Jonathan’s heart ached. "I would be nice if we could get rid of people like that."
"Mom didn’t love him."
Jonathan looked down at Max curious to his statement.
"She said she was lost but didn’t love him. She loves you. She told me."
"Max are you worried about your mom and me?"
"I.. uh.. I don’t know."
Jonathan dropped down on one leg. "Max, listen to me. I love your mother and you more than anything in the world. And even if your mom didn’t love me anymore, I would still always love her. But, I know your mother does love me as much as I love her. I know about Elliot and that he hurt your mom…"
Max turned away as the image of his mom battling Elliot flashed in his mind.
"Max?"
Max nodded that he understood.
"You okay?"
Max nodded again; biting down on the tears that threatened. Jonathan could see a struggle in Max’s eyes but didn’t understand where it came from.
"If you want to talk about it, we can. Anytime you need to talk Max, about anything, I’ll be here for you."
Max shook his head. "I just want things to be like they were."
Jonathan was surprised at how relieved he felt that Max didn’t want to talk. "So do I champ. And they will. I promise."
Finally home, the Harts sought to put the whole ordeal behind them. Jennifer sat on the edge of Max’s bed tucking him in.
"How are you feeling?"
"Good."
"Really?" Jennifer asked. On the ship Max had returned to a normal 10 year old boy but Jennifer sensed he was bothered by something. She realized that neither she nor Jonathan had really sat down to talk to him, to help him deal with the ordeal. In fact, she and Jonathan hadn’t even discussed it together. Perhaps Max knew that. Maybe he thought he was supposed to stop thinking of it now that it was done. "Because if something is bothering you, maybe something about Elliot or what happened, we can talk about it."
"No," Max shook his head.
"Anything Max. You remember that. You can talk to your dad or me about anything. At any time. Okay?"
"Okay. Dad said that too."
"Your dad and I love you very much and we don’t want you to hurt or be scared."
"I’m fine."
"Okay." Jennifer pushed some hair away from his face. "I love you forever." She smiled.
"I like you for always." Max said back sheepishly reciting lines from I Love You Forever.
"As long as I’m living your mother I’ll be. Good night sweetie." Jennifer kissed him on the forehead.
"Goodnight mom."
Jennifer found Jonathan on the patio gazing out into the night sky. "Darling?"
He turned and smiled. Holding his hand out, he pulled Jennifer to him. "Max all tucked in?"
"Yes. Are you concerned about him Jonathan?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Apparently we both gave him the ‘you can talk about anything with us’ speech."
"I just want to be sure he’s okay with things. He was pretty scared when he radioed for help." Jonathan could still here his son’s voice. Please help. He’s hurting her.
"I still can’t believe he did that. He’s so resourceful. And to pick the lock…."
Jonathan smiled. "I wasn’t sure he got that lesson."
"Jonathan!"
"You have to admit darling, it came in handy."
"Yes well, okay. But I am a little worried. He seems preoccupied. I think he’s having nightmares I just wish he’d talk about it."
"He will when he’s ready."
Jennifer looked up at Jonathan and wondered if he’d ever be ready. "Darling, I wanted to talk to you about how I behaved…’
Jonathan turned to her shaking his head. "There is nothing to talk about now. We are safe and together. That’s what is important."
"I know, I just want to explain …"
Jonathan pressed his lips to hers stopping her from saying more. "It’s over." Jennifer didn’t want to give in. And she began to realize where Max was getting his message about not talking about fears and pain. "It’s important to me."
Jonathan looked at her. He couldn’t do this. It was still too soon. All the fears and rage were still right there, right beneath the surface. Letting them out would be dangerous. "Can it wait? I’d really like to take a shower. It’s been a long stressful day."
Seeing she wasn’t going to win this particular batter, Jennifer retreated. "Yes. Of course. I’ll lock up."
Jonathan kissed her on the forehead and turned towards the house.
Jennifer walked through the house, checking doors and windows, and turning out lights. As she was leaving the dining room, Freeway Jr ran in nipping at her heels.
"Junior? What’s with you?" Still nipping he let out a little bark and then headed for the stairs. "Is something wrong?" Jennifer followed him up the stairs and to Max’s room. Inside she could hear Max crying. Oh Max. Jennifer opened his door.
Jonathan stood in his robe waiting for the water to warm up. In all his life he couldn’t remember being as curt and insensitive as he had been over the last few days. He knew why but he couldn’t figure out why it was so important to him that Jennifer not see him loose himself. They’d been married 20 years and he’d never shown her that side of him. Of course, the only other times he’d felt on the edge of sanity, was because she was missing or hurt or in trouble. It was big Max who had been witness to Jonathan’s darkest moods. But, that was different. Max never asked him to get it out, to express the feelings that seemed to be drowning him. He knew Jennifer would never think less of him and yet he still felt he couldn’t show that side of him. Even so, he had no right to push her away. She needed him, needed to talk with him. He could at least listen. Turning off the water, he headed out to find her.
Hearing voices, Jonathan stopped outside of Max’s room.
"It’s okay sweetie. I’m here. You let it all out." Jonathan heard Jennifer say as Max wept.
"He …. Hit….you…"
"I know honey." Jennifer held him, running her fingers through his hair.
"He …. Was…on..you. Your…clothes … were … He was touching you…"
Jennifer nodded. "I’m so sorry you had to see that honey."
Jonathan felt the bile rise in him. He knew it had been bad. He’d heard Max’s distress during the call. He was there when the doctor told him of Jennifer’s injuries. But to hear them discuss it was too overwhelming.
"I should have helped." Max’s tears slowed.
"Oh Max. I would never expect you to try and stop Elliot." She held his head back. "Besides, you did. You got him good with that trophy."
"I should have tied him up. Or killed him."
Such big words for a small boy. It broke Jennifer’s heart. Out in the hall, Jonathan was equally as torn up. His son was feeling guilty because his father had been to slow to save them. Unable to hear anymore, Jonathan headed back to the shower.
"Max, you did just right. Honey, I ‘m so proud of you. You can’t even know how proud I am. And I know it was so scary and we’ll talk about that more but please honey don’t feel guilty about what happened to me. There was nothing you could have done but exactly what you did."
Max nodded and sniffed.
"Okay?" Jennifer asked.
"Okay."
"Now you try and get some sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning I promise."
"I don’t think dad wants to."
"No," Jennifer agreed tucking his covers on his chin. "It may take your dad a little time but you can talk to me okay?"
Max nodded and then draping an arm over Jr. he closed his eyes.
Jennifer smiled down at her son as he drifted to sleep. She was truly blessed. She could have never dreamed up someone as wonderful as Jonathan so why was she so adamant about him exposing this one vulnerable side. Admittedly, part of it had to do with wanting him to feel open enough to share everything. But she understood that his fear wasn’t about her, about trusting her. It was his one vice. Why not let him keep it?
Jennifer left Max’s room and went to her own. She could hear the water running in the shower so she went to put her pajama’s on. Pulling Jonathan’s pajama top out of the drawer she smiled at the thought that she would be wearing her own clothes, sleeping in her own bed and laying next to her husband. Washing her face and putting on lotion, Jennifer started for the bedroom. She frowned as she heard the water in the shower still running. He’d sure been in there a long time.
Jennifer headed back towards the shower. "Darling? Are you alright?" Jennifer opened the steamed up door. Jonathan stood in the corner of the shower sobbing uncontrollably. Jennifer’s eyes widened in surprise. Her surprise was followed by guilt. He hadn’t wanted her to see this. She started to close the door.
"No," she heard him say through his weeping. "I need you."
Jennifer felt her heart fill her entire chest. She stepped into the shower and took him in her arms. Turning her so the water sprayed his back instead of her, he buried his head in her neck and hair as he let all his fear, and grief out. Jennifer said nothing as she held his convulsing body. Tears sprang to her eyes. Tears of joy and tears of pain. Her hands ran up and down his back, caressing, soothing.
Jonathan could feel the blackness draining from him being replaced by a joy and serenity. Her hands caressing his back rejuvenated him. The scent of her hair filled him. And the joy of it made him cry more.
"I’m so sorry, Jennifer." Jonathan’s tears subsided and he could feel himself returning to normal.
"Shhhh." Jennifer continued to rub his back. "I love you."
"Oh, God. I love you too." He lifted his head to rest his brow against hers. "I heard you with Max. I’ve been so selfish, Jennifer."
"No."
"All this time, I’ve been focused on me and how this whole thing was tearing me up. But you, you and Max. You actually lived it and I wasn’t there for you."
"Yes, you were. You were there when we needed you."
"I was late."
Jennifer looked up at Jonathan. She wanted to ease his pain but looking at him she realized that wasn’t what he wanted. He just wanted to tell her.
Jonathan gazed down at his wife. The hot water misted on her face and hair giving her a pinkish glow. He could see the bruise on her cheek not as blue as before. Letting his eyes fall he could see lighter marks on her neck. He’d been too scared to know, to look. But not now. He reached down to unbutton her soaking shirt.
Jennifer took his wrists in her hands. "Jonathan, you don’t need to do this to yourself." She knew Jonathan’s undressing her wasn’t about sex but about witnessing what she’d been through. She felt he’d blame himself more and she didn’t want that.
"I need to know. I was sick when I heard about what he’d done to you the first time but I understood there was nothing I could have done. But this time…."
"I won’t let you do this if you are going to just blame yourself."
"My wife and son were terrorized. I was here alone, not knowing. I can’t explain it but I don’t feel like I can deal with it without really knowing what happened."
They held each other’s gaze for a moment and then Jennifer dropped her hands. Jonathan unbuttoned and pushed off the wet shirt. Jennifer heard his quick intake of breath as he came face-to-face with the results of Elliot’s attack.
"Jonathan, there is nothing here that is permanent. He didn’t break me. He didn’t break you or Max. All this," Jennifer said referring to the bruises on her, "all this will fade into nothing."
Jonathan nodded. He knew it was true and yet he couldn’t help the new wave of guilt. He reached out and held her breast, letting his thumb brush the marks Elliot’s fingers had left there. He leaned over, pressing his lips to the marks, letting his tongue lightly lave over them as if he could heal them.
Jennifer held his head and savored the feel of him touching her, healing her. As she felt him trail kisses up across her chest and neck, careful to treat each bruise, she understood that this was healing him as well. Jonathan gently slid his lips over hers, lighly sucking and caressing them with equal attention as her bruises. Jennifer’s lips parted, her tongue sought his. Jonathan responded, pulling her close so that he could love her mouth more fully. The kiss deepened but remained a kiss of pure love.
"Jonathan." Jennifer pulled away hoping for a chance to share her feelings.
"Hmm?" He pulled her close, letting the feel of her nestled perfectly against his body complete him.
"I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. I’m sorry I didn’t respect your feelings and needs."
Jonathan lifted his head to look down at her. He was going to correct her, tell her she had nothing to apologize for. But he could see how important this was to her. He nodded. "I understand."
Jennifer smiled; relieved he didn’t try to talk it away. Then her face turned to shame again. "I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I should have called you when Elliot did and I have no excuse for it. These are the result of my stupidity." Jennifer said referring to her injuries.
Jonathan held her face, using his thumbs to brush away the tears. "Don’t cry Jennifer. And don’t ever feel you are responsible for what happened to you and Max."
Jennifer looked down, too ashamed to look him in the eyes. He pulled her face up to his. "Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you. We were both under a lot of strain and didn’t handle things as well as we might have. What’s that they say about hi-insight?"
Jennifer smiled. "Something about it being 20/20."
He leaned over to kiss her tears away. "That’s right. I wished you had called me too…"
Jennifer’s breath hitched and she started to respond.
"But." Jonathan put his fingers to his lips. "I know why you didn’t. I know why without you telling me. How many couples can say that?"
Jennifer reached up to stroke his face.
"I wished to God that I could have given you what you wanted..." Jonathan started.
"But you needed to feel in control. I guess I know why you did what you did without telling me." Jennifer let her head rest on his shoulder as the scent of man and soap and the feel of warmth and water soothed her.
"Through it all I knew you loved me, would always love me. Even when you were disappointed in me. Even when I was annoyed at you." Jonathan caressed her back. "Even when the press said we were in trouble.."
"What?" Jennifer’s head shot up to look at him.
"The press saw how you jilted me at the police station." Jonathan smiled in challenge.
"They did?" Jennifer thought about it for a moment. "Yeah, well I was mad."
"I know. And I’m going to look forward to taking you out and molesting you in public to squash that story." Jonathan looked over her bruised body and frowned at his own insensitivity. "I’m sorry Darling, that wasn’t a very good choice of words."
"It’s fine." She watched as Jonathan’s eyes scoured her body again. His hands gently slid over the marks Elliot had left. "Jonathan." Jennifer called him back to her. "Don’t." She brought his hand up to her lips and kissed the tips of his fingers.
"What happened?"
While Jennifer wanted to be able to talk freely, she wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss this. "Don’t." She said again.
"I will respect your wish not to relive it but I need to know."
Jennifer nodded. Jonathan turned off the water and led her out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist and then used another towel to gently, lovingly dry Jennifer’s body. Then, taking her hand he led her to the bedroom.
"Cold?" he asked, as she was still naked.
Jennifer shook her head. Pulling back the sheet, Jonathan helped Jennifer in bed and then climbed in next to her. He pulled her close so their bodies touched, legs entwined.
"Are you sure about this?" Jennifer asked looking into his eyes.
He nodded and then braced himself for the pain and grief they were about relive.
Jonathan said nothing as Jennifer told her story. He wanted to stop her several times, to run away and forget the incident. The rage threatened but in the end the grief won over and he cried with her.
"I’m so sorry." He said it over and over again as he couldn’t find any other words.
"Even if he had taken me, he would never beat me Jonathan. Never." Jonathan looked into her swollen and red eyes and saw the strength that made him believe her. He nodded but was consumed by the need to sooth and comfort her anyway. He pressed kisses to her eyes, temple and cheeks. His arms pulled her close so he could feel they were one. Jennifer let out the last of her tears as his soothing kisses and strong arms created a need in her. A need to be held, to be loved by him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled his lips to hers.
Jonathan could taste her desire, her need but was afraid to consummate it. "Jennifer." His lips whispered as they brushed against hers.
She could feel his resistance. She understood it. But she needed him. "Make love to me." Her arms pulled, her lips encouraged and Jonathan discovered his need was there too. A need to reclaim her, to drive out any thoughts of Elliot and his assault of her. But he knew he needed to be gentle not just for her sake but his. He pushed her back and began the slow process of loving her with his hands and mouth. He softly caressed each bruise, following it up with a gentle kiss.
Jennifer savored the wonderfully sweet and sensuous feel of his hands and lips as they soothed and healed her soul. She knew that this slow sinuous loving was healing him as well. By the time Jonathan journeyed back up to her lips, her whole body was humming with life, with energy. "Oh yes." She sighed as Jonathan’s lips took hers, in a slow yet decadent kiss.
Entwining their fingers, holding each other’s gaze, they joined their bodies. Jennifer flexed her hand and then grasped his hands hard as he filled her. She arched to him, wanting more, wanting to fill the void made by Max’s disappearance and the strain between her and Jonathan.
Her response hastened Jonathan’s desire but he pushed back the need to hurry. He felt her wrap her legs around him, urging him to complete the act. But he wanted to wait; to savor the feeling of being joined in the most intimate of ways. Jennifer’s eyes, clouded with desire, looked up at him, questioningly.
"This is the second best part of making love to you. The moment we come together like this."
Jennifer smiled. "Kiss me. Kiss me the way that takes my breath away."
Jonathan smiled back and gave in. His mouth came to hers nibbling at first and then pressing his lips to hers, sliding his tongue into to dance with hers, he deepened the kiss by degrees until Jennifer thought she explode from the shear pleasure of it.
Slowly Jonathan began to move as Jennifer meeting him with each stroke. "Look at me." He said as his hands clamped tighter on hers.
Her heavy lids opened looking into the blue eyes slightly darkened by passion. The joining of their eyes seemed to complete a circuit. Their bodies and souls were entwined, bonded together so that neither knew where they began or ended. They only knew this oneness.
As the wave grew to an overpowering tsunamis, Jonathan crushed his lips to hers, wanting to taste her passion as she crested over the edge. Jennifer clung to Jonathan as shudder after shudder rippled through her body until she heard Jonathan moan her name in one earth shattering release.
They lay in each other’s arms, sated and content in the after-glow of lovemaking. "You don’t have anywhere to go do you?" Jonathan asked as he shifted his weight off her.
"No. Why?"
"Because in a few minutes I’m going to want to do that again."
"I think I can pencil you in." Jennifer said running her fingers through his chest hair.
Jonathan smiled as he leaned forward to kiss her. "Think you can schedule me in for the whole night?" He nibbled on her lips and then trailed his kiss along her jaw to whisper in her ear. "Because I will need at least that long to adequately love you."
"I’m all yours," Jennifer said on a breathless sigh.
Looking down on his beautiful wife he said, "I love you darling. More than ever."
Jennifer reached up to stroke his cheek. "I would have never thought it possible to love someone as much as I love you."
Jonathan lowered his head to kiss her to begin a night of soothing, comforting and loving each other.
