Crossfire RP

“I won’t disturb him tonight, especially if it is his heart.” Brandon said. “I will see them in the morning. He will need all the rest he can get.”

Caleb sends him up to his room and it doesn’t take long before Brandon is asleep.

Morning comes and Brandon is up early. He gets up and can hear someone down stairs. He gets a shower in and makes his way down. Sarah is in the kitchen. “Ohhh, I thought that was you I heard last night. Though not that it matters, Melody here told me you were here this morning. I am so glad you were able to come. I hate that Jasmine and Ava weren’t able to come.” Sarah said as she hugged Brandon.

“Speaking of Jasmine, she asked me to give you this.” Brandon said as he walked over to his saddle bags. He had left them hanging over the couch during the night.

Sarah opens a bag and inside is a painted family picture. "Oh this is beautiful. Ava is getting so big."

Melody finishes up feeding Izaac. "She has an amazing talent. Want to say hi to your cousin?" She holds him to Brandon.

~~~~~~~~

Jasmine has a full morning planned. She is going to leave Ava in her parents care. She is going to be in meeting with her council in the morning. So after breakfast she rides with Ava to the Lane house. "Thank you so much for taking care of her. Just have her home before dinner. And I still haven't been able to separate her from the telegram." She hugs Ava. "Have fun with them."

"I'll take that little guy." Brandon said. He picked up the little boy and smiled. "He looks just like grandpa does in his pictures from when he was younger. I'm glad you named him after grandpa." He said.

~~

Berenson smiled and nodded his head. "She misses her daddy. I remember another little girl who was the same way." He said as he will ked at Jasmine. "Now don't worry, we will have her home at a reasonable time."

"Why don't you take him to see George. I know he will be happy to see you." Sarah tells him. "Melody, take this is with you. I know he will want to see the picture."

"OK, Mom, but sit down and rest. I will get breakfast started after taking this in to him." Melody takes the picture and shakes her finger at Sarah. As she and Brandon walk to the other room, she whispers to him. "That woman does not know how to relax."

“She probably never will.” Brandon said chuckling. He took little George with him to see his grandfather. He was glad their room was downstairs.

George was lying in bed, propped up by pillows behind his back. He heard the door squeak open and he looks at the door. “Oh Brandon, I am so glad you were able to come. Is that Ava with you? No that has to be Jr. Where is Ava and Jasmine?” He asked in a weak voice.

Brandon could tell his grandfather was ill. He walked over to the bed and sat down. “There have been some problems in Moldova and Jasmine had to stay. I chose to leave Ava with her so I could travel faster.” He explained. “I’m sorry they couldn’t come. Jasmine said to send you her love that she loves you and misses you. Now tell me how you feel.”

Melody follows. "She did send a gift though." She holds up the family picture. "She is such a beautiful little girl." She is glad that Brandon made it out to see George.

~~~~~~

Jasmine goes back to her room. She loves the meetings. It helps her keep in touch with all of Moldova. For the most part the council goes away happy. They are keeping an eye on the Ells border still. They do not know about the Elite team though. She wants to keep that secret. She only told them that there was a team to check on the lines since Ells still has not responded to the telegraph.

She is sitting at her desk working on the drawing when she hears a scraping noise behind her. She looks over her shoulder and gasps. “How did you get here?” She runs to the door, but is captured from behind and thrown onto the bed.

Anton locks the door and quickly goes to Jasmine. “Go ahead and scream, it will do you no good. I know that you have limited guards right now, and currently they are in a meeting.” He pushes her up higher on the bed. He straddles her as he grabs her right wrist first and secured it to the decorative iron headboard, followed by her left. “I love you so much Jasmine. I have been waiting for this opportunity for years, and now I have you all to myself.”

Jasmine’s heart races as Anton speaks. “You are an evil man. Please Anton, don’t do this.”

“I have to do this, I have no choice. See Nadine cannot have children because of the medication. Not that I would want to have fucked out children in the first place.” Anton removes her clothing and nuzzles Jasmine. “So I need to have a child for the throne. Who better to give them to me than you? Our child is going to be so perfect.”

Jasmine looks up at the ceiling. “Even if you get me pregnant, what makes you think I would ever let you raise my child you sick man?” She struggles against his touches.

“The child will be mine as well, and I don’t think Brandon would want to raise another man’s child…especially mine.” Anton’s hands find her birthmark. “There we go, just try to resist me now.”

Jasmine tries to resist even more, but that only makes Anton more physical with her. Anton forces Jasmine to look into his eyes. “Tell me how much you love me. Tell me that you are enjoying this as much as I am.”

Jasmine shakes her head. “I don’t love you, I pity you Anton. You will never have what I have. I love Brandon.”

Anton grabs Jasmine’s shoulders and shakes them up and down. “How dare you mention that bastard’s name when you are with me. Tell me you love me and you want to have OUR baby. I am the one making love to you now.”

“This isn’t making love, this is you assaulting me. What I do with Brandon is make love, and you will never be as good as him.” Jasmine gasps as he hurts her shoulder. Anton shakes her shoulders violently causing her head to hit the iron on the head board. Soon she falls unconscious.

That does not stop Anton. He does not stop until he is done with her. He puts on his clothes and kisses her lips before unlocking the door. He leaves through the secret passages again.

~~~~~~

While this is happening, Nathaniel is in the kitchen at Mallory’s. He is just finishing up an order when a look of pure terror enters his eyes. He somehow manages to make it to Levi. “Something is wrong…Jasmine…” is all he gets out before he passes out.

Levi catches him before Nathaniel hits the ground. “Someone get a carriage. I need to take him to the infirmary at the castle."

Brandon puts his grandfather’s glasses on him so that he could see the picture that Jasmine had painted. “That is a beautiful painting.” George said as he strained to see the picture. Brandon helped him lean back as George coughed.

“Get some rest grandpa; I will be back in a few minutes. I want to see how you are personally.” Brandon said.

“You always were like your momma.” George said as he closed his eyes.

They walk out of the room and Brandon looked at Melody. “How long has he been like this?” He asked in a concerned tone.

~~

Daniel had just finished his martial arts when he was walking to Mallory’s. He liked to stop by sometimes afterwards to see how Nathaniel and Levi were doing. Plus he liked to play with the kids. The carriage is just pulling up and Levi and another patron are getting Nathaniel in the carriage.

“Hey, what’s wrong? What happened to Nathaniel?” Daniel asked.

“I’m not positive. He mentioned Jasmine and going to the infirmary at the castle before he passed out. I am worried. When we get to the castle you should head up and get your sister.” Levi said as Daniel gets into the carriage with him.

“Do grandma and grandpa have the kids?” Daniel asked. Levi nodded his head as the carriage got underway.

"It was just a simple cold, but has gradually got worse. We tried to get him to town to see the doctor, but you know how stubborn he is. Maybe he will listen to you." Melody whispers to him.

~~~~~

"Yeah they are at your parents. Gwynn wanted to play with the girls and you know how much of a baby hog your mom is." Levi explains. "You may want to let them know what is going on. I am going to the castle with the carriage."

“I’ll send Uncle Caleb into town to get the doctor. I don’t think grandpa has the strength to go into town. Go help Grandma make breakfast and I will check him out.” Brandon said.

He goes into his room and gets his things. He then walks back into his grandfather’s room. “Grandpa, why didn’t you go see the doctor when you started to get sick?” He asked.

“Because it was just a cold, that’s all I have.” George said as he coughed.

“Why don’t you let me examine you? If I think you are sick enough, I will have Uncle Caleb go into town and get the doctor.” Brandon said.

“Fine, but I’m not that sick.” George said as he argued with him.

Brandon checks his grandfather’s breathing and can tell his heart is weak. He thinks he can hear some fluid as well but he isn’t positive. He asks his grandfather a few more questions and then nods his head. “Grandpa, I’m not positive but I think you have pneumonia. It will take the doctor to finish diagnosing you.”

“I don’t think I need to see a doctor. I think seeing you is just fine. If you think I have pneumonia then treat me for it.” George said as he coughed hard.

“If that’s the way you feel about it.” Brandon said. “I will go get you some breakfast.” He then left the room.

He walks into the kitchen where Caleb has just walked in from collecting fresh eggs. “How is the old man this morning?” He asked.

“He’s very sick. I think he has a case of pneumonia that’s bad as well. He doesn’t want to see the doctor but if he is as sick as I think he is, I don’t think there is anything I can do for him.” Brandon said. “I can only do so much for him and that is to help him and give him some relief at this time.”
~~

Daniel nodded his head and soon takes off from the carriage. He races home and almost barrels through the front door.

“Daniel…what’s the matter??? You’re running as if someone’s out to get you.” Berenson said.

“Nathaniel fainted at Mallory’s….going to infirmary at the castle.” Daniel said out of breath. He took a moment to get himself together.

“Madeline, hurry up, we need to get up to the castle.” Berenson called out. “Something is wrong with Nathaniel.”

"Mom, Dad, are you going to be alright with the kids?" Madeline asks them.

"Don't worry, we are going to be just fine. I have two helpers as well." Mallory tell them.

"Is Daddy going to be alright?" Gwynn asks.

"We will make sure of that sweetie." Madeline tells them.

They head up to the castle. "We should get Jasmine first. If Nathaniel is in the infirmary she knows something is wrong." Madeline wrings her hand as they ride to the castle.

"I'm certain she will meet us there. She probably will already know he is there by the time we get there. One of the guards will have allerted her." Berenson said. He put his hand on Madeline's. "Don't worry, we will make sure hs is alright."

The carriage barely stops and they are out of it heading to the infirmary. The nurse looks up. "Nathaniel just got here and they are examining him."

"Has Jasmine been by?" Madeline asks.

"No, not yet." The nurse answers.

"We should get her. There is nothing we can do here." Madeline stands up.

"We will go with you, Mom." Both Daniel and Berenson go with Madeline.

They walk down to the royal hall and were told that Jasmine was last seen going to her room. Daniel is the first there and opens the door. He sees Jasmine still naked and restrained to the headboard. He looks around before backing out. "Dad, get the guards and have them come to the room. Mom, go to the infirmary and have them bring a stretcher. Go now."

Madeline hears the seriousness in Daniel's voice and runs off.

Berenson looks at Daniel with his eye raised. "What's wrong Daniel? What's wrong with Jasmine, let me help her."

"Dad, you can help the most by getting the guards. Trust me you don't want to see her like this. Go now." Daniel insists.

"Tell me what is wrong!" Berenson insists. He is beginning to assert his authority. "I don't like you pushing yourself against me..."

Daniel blocks the door with his body. "Dad, the more you argue with me the more time the person who did this crime has to escape. Think about it Dad, Nathaniel is in infirmary because of her."

Berenson doesn't like not knowing what is going on with his daughter and he's not sure what Daniel is talking about. "I don't know what crime you're talking about, but if there is something wrong I have the right to know. I'll go get the guards and then you tell me what's happened to my little girl." He said angrily.

Daniel stay at the door to make sure no one tampers with the crime scene. The infirmary staff make it there slightly before the guards. Daniel lets the guards in first followed by the medical team. They soon exit with Jasmine on a stretcher.

"She is alive, but really beaten up. I will have more information later." Doctor Caprio runs to catch up with the stretcher.

Berenson watches as they bring Jasmine out on a stretcher. His lips tremble and he looks at Daniel. “I’m sorry Daniel.” He said as they made their way back to the infirmary. “I should have trusted you more when you told me to get the guards. I just wanted to know what was wrong with Jasmine.”

He hugs Madeline outside in the hallway. “I don’t know what’s happened, but it cannot be good from the look of her. I don’t know what to say except that we need to get a message out to Brandon right away. We can’t send it by telegram; it needs to be by messenger.”

He turns back to see Daniel. "Daniel...How was she when you found her?" he asked.

~~

Melody makes breakfast with Sarah’s help. Brandon looks at his grandmother. “I will take him some of this gravy and biscuits to eat for breakfast. Do you think you can make him some soup for lunch? That might help him get his strength up.” He said.

“Don’t worry Brandon, we can do that. Now eat some breakfast and then you can take him something to eat. I don’t need both of you sick.” Sarah said as they began to eat breakfast.

Daniel looks up between Berenson and Madeline. "Dad is was not pretty." He looks around and continues in a quieter voice. "Her wrists were bound to the headboard and there was blood on it. Dad she was unclothed and I saw bruises. Who would do this to her? We should have been here to protect her." Daniel begins to cry.

Berenson looms at Madeline worriedly. He then pulls Daniel to him. "It must be dramatizing to have seen that. I'm sorry son. She was much safer for her here at the castle then she was anywhere." He said.

He stopped a guard. He was thankful he had training to help his mind focus. "Put the castle in lockdown mode, search for anyone that doesn't have clearance to be in the castle. Even the secret passage ways." He said.

The guard saluted and did as he was told.

"Please allow my parents in if they come." Madeline adds to the commands. "They may bring up the kids later. We will have to pack a bag for Ava. We don't know how long Jasmine will be unconscious." She cannot believe this happened to her little girl. "But first we need to talk to Dillon."

Dillon is in the infirmary pacing back and forth in the waiting room. Levi is sitting with a cup of coffee in his hands. Dillon looks over when the Lane's come in. "I am so glad to see you. Jasmine is in surgery now for her shoulder. They cannot find anything physically wrong with Nathaniel."

"They won't either. It is the freaky twin sense they have." Madeline informs him. "We were looking for you too. We alerted the guards to lock down the castle. We also need to get a messenger out to Brandon."

"The guards are already ready to go. They are furious that this happened as well. I am thinking about sending Winston. I just need directions to the Lawson house." Dillon sighs. "I don't think we should tell him the details of what happened, just that Jasmine was attacked. Hell we don't know what happened. Their room is being investigated now."

~~~~~~

After breakfast, Melody hands Brandon a tray. "You should spend as much time as you can with him. Caleb will get the doctor from town. I will bring little George to visit too."

Berenson looked at Madeline and sighed. “I’m so glad we went out there two years ago with them.” He said. He walks over to the desk and gets paper and pen from the receptionist. He walks over to the table and sits down as he begins to write the directions for Winston. “All I know is what Daniel told me. He wouldn’t let either me or Madeline into the room.” He explained. “I think it best if Winston doesn’t know completely what happened, Brandon would go insane if he knew what happened here today.”

He finished writing down the directions on the paper and looked up at Dillon. “We will be here to assist you if you need us. I know you are well capable on your own, but with something like this, it makes it hard to think straight, even for us.” He explained. He hands the paper over to him. “Send Winston out immediately the faster he gets there the better he is. Once he makes it to the town, the sheriff can help him get out to the ranch.”

Daniel had been standing against the wall of the room. He was angry at everything that was going on. Why did it have to happen now? Why at all for that matter. Why hadn’t he been there to protect her? Brandon would probably be angry with them for not protecting Jasmine. He was still crying as he punched the wall.

~~

“Don’t worry; I will stay with him this morning.” Brandon said. He takes the tray into his grandfather’s room and smiles. “I have some biscuits and gravy for you.”

“I don’t really feel like eating this morning, son. Why don’t you take it back and save it for later?” George said.

“Because I want to see you eat a little bit, even if it’s not much at all.” Brandon said with a smile. He sat down and gets his grandfather’s food ready for him. “I will help you eat this morning if you don’t feel like feeding yourself.”

“Thanks Brandon, I don’t feel like eating but I will eat a little for you.” George said as Brandon began to feed him.

“You’ve lost some weight.” Brandon said as he fed him some of the gravy.

“Only because I haven’t been out of this bed for weeks. They won’t let me out of it, said I’m too weak.” George explained.

“Well, how do you feel?” Brandon asked.

George huffed and sighed. “Tired…” was all he said before closing his eyes. He swallowed his bite and opened them again. “Personally I don’t think I am going to get any better, but don’t you tell them that. I’m tired and I’ve lived my life well. Sarah will miss me, but she will have Caleb here. I thought of asking her to go with you when I passed, but I know she wouldn’t do that. She will want to be here when she dies.”

“You have really thought this through, haven’t you?” Brandon asked.

Madeline sees Daniel out of the corner of her eye. She walks over to him. "Why don't we go an pack up some things for Ada. I don't know about you, but I hate sitting around and waiting."

Daniel wipes his eyes. "Sure."

Madeline tells Berenson what they are doing and they walk down the hall. "I know what you are feeling. You are angry about what happened and you feel helpless that you could not stop it from happening."

Daniel shakes his head. "She should be safe here in her own home. Jasmine doesn't deserve this. She is one of the nicest people in Moldova. Mom, you didn't see her. There are black bruises on her. Who would want to hurt her like that?"

Madeline pulls him into a hug and rubs his back. "Jasmine and Brandon are going to need our support. Both are going to feel so devastated."

They continue to the royal hall and are greeted by guards. They are allowed through. "We will find out who did this and they will be punished for their crime." Madeline says through gritted teeth.

They pass the 'crime scene' which is still being investigated and get to Ava's room. "We are going to keep her at least until Brandon gets back. Maybe even after that. I want to pack Ava's favorite stuffed animals, we have plenty of clothes for her at the house."

George nodded his head. “Only because I know I won’t be getting better. That’s why I won’t see the doctor. I didn’t want them to know how sick I really was.”

“Uncle Caleb will be leaving soon for the doctor in town. I asked him to go because I knew you were sicker then you were letting on. Just see him anyways, please.” Brandon asked.

“I will do it for you.” George said. “Now take that away, I can’t eat anymore.” He said as he pushed away the next bite. Brandon nodded his head and took the tray from the room. He then walks out of the room and into the kitchen.

“Grandpa wasn’t able to eat it all.” Brandon said as he gave the tray to Melody.

~~

Berenson watched as Daniel and Madeline left the room. “Daniel feels bad about what happened. I wish I could make it better for him.”

“Give him some time. There is nothing he could have done to stop this from happening. Do they even know what happened to her?” Levi asked.

“Yes and no. We will know more after the investigation is done. Until then both Dillion and I will be in charge. It will take two of us to keep our heads level and not ready for attack mode.” Berenson explained.

“Poor Jasmine, it couldn’t have been good if Nathaniel fainted as well. How long do you think they will be out?” Levi asked. “I’m concerned about Nathaniel and Jasmine.”

“Nathaniel can be out just for a short amount of time or as long as his sister is out. It will depend on how serious Jasmine’s injury is. If she is having surgery, I can assure you that he will be out at least the rest of today and maybe longer.” Berenson explained.

"Mom, I should have been here. I should have protected her." Daniel blurts out as he finds some toys.

Madeline stops Daniel. "Sometimes bad things happen to good people and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. This is not your fault, just like it is not Brandon's fault, or Jasmine's fault." She gets tears in her eyes. At least Damaskus didn't hurt her like Jasmine was hurt.

After the bag is packed, they return to the infirmary. Madeline whispers to Bereson her concerns about Daniel. "Levi, if you want we can watch the kids for you. There is nothing wrong with Nathaniel, but he will be out for a little while."

~~~~~~

Melody takes the tray. She is worried about George, Caleb, and Sarah. She loves them like her own parents and to lose George will be horrible.

Berenson nodded his head. He is worried about his son. After Junaluska and Lawrence being murdered and now this, he could only imagine what could be going on inside Daniel’s mind. He leans over to Madeline. “Leave him here with me. I don’t think he will go home right now anyways.” He whispered.

Levi looked up at Madeline and smiled. “Thank you so much. I really do want to be here by Nathaniel’s side. I hope they are both alright.” He said.

“Daniel, do you want to stay here with me?” Berenson asked.

~~

Brandon heads back to the room but George is asleep. He sits down in the seat by the bed and has his notebook. He is thankful that he has kept up his healing abilities over the years, not that it would be able to stop this from happening now. He looks over at his grandfather as he begins to write in his book.

“It’s hard to imagine that my grandfather knew of his own demise. I don’t think he knows just how close he is to that, however. He is not long for this world and for that I am saddened. He will soon meet my mother at the gates of the dark forest. At least he won’t be in the pits of hell like the men who killed my other grandparents. To have lost both so soon after what seems like such a short time of finding them…I am truly saddened by the pace of events. One’s heart can only take so much death. It is a shame they say death comes in threes. I will be saddened by these times in the future, but I am thankful to have a woman like Jasmine to help me when those times come.”

He puts his pen down and looked at his grandfather. All he could do was hope for a miracle that he knew would never come.

"I am staying here." Daniel says bluntly.

"I will head home to check on the kids and to let my parents know what is going on. Please sent a carriage if they wake up." Madeline tells them.

Daniel looks at her as if she sprouted three heads. Berenson whispers in his ear. "You know how much she hates infirmaries. She needs to be busy in times of strife. Jasmine gets it from her."

~~~~~~

Melody comes in to check up on both guys. "I brought you something to drink." She looks at Brandon. "He isn't going to make it is he? I told them they should have gotten the doctor earlier, but they are so stubborn." She sits down and looks at George. "At least he got to see Caleb happy and his namesake."

“Don’t worry son, we are going to stay here. She will need our support if she wakes up.” Berenson said. He put his arm around Daniel to give him support. He can only imagine how he feels. He walked over to Madeline and gave her a hug and kiss. “Don’t worry, we will keep you informed.” He said. He walked back over to Daniel.

“Let’s have a seat Daniel and you can tell me what’s on your mind.” He said.
~~

Brandon took the drink and blew it off. “Thank you Melody, I appreciate it.” He said. He took a sip and then sighed. “He is only going to see a doctor because I asked him too, but I don’t think he will make it too much longer. He is so weak and he can barely talk now. It’s only a matter of time.” He said looking up at Melody with a sad look on his face.

“There is not much I or a doctor can do for him now. I am thankful that he was able to see that his name was passed on. I know he was angry when I took my father’s name, but I did it for personal reasons. He has another grandson and was able to see his son get married. He knows this land will continue on in his name. For that I am certain he is happy.”

Daniel plops in the chair. "Dad, I want to help catch the person who did this to her. I told Brandon I would protect her and I didn't."

~~~~~~

Melody hugs Brandon. "I am so glad you were able to see him. I know how close you are to him." She dabs her eyes. "I know that Caleb is going to be devasted even though he won't show it. Why do men think crying is weakness?"

“There was nothing you could have done to prevent this, Daniel. You are a young man, but you cannot save the world.” Berenson explained.

~~

“It’s not the thought of weakness¸ but knowing that our lives were well spent with the other. Grandfather had a long and heartfelt life. He spent it with family, he ran this farm that was given to him by his father, and he had two children that he is proud of. He has two grandsons and he loved with all he had. Yes it will hurt, but knowing that I have these memories will make the pain easier to deal with.” He explained.

"That is what mom said, but I don't believe it. I am so angry at the person who did this to her." Daniel tells him.

~~~~~~~~~

"Well tell that pigheaded uncle of yours that it is ok to grieve him as well." Melody adds. "George is a great man."

Berenson looked at Daniel. “I can understand you being angry, I am angry as well. What can I do to help you understand?” he asked.

"I don't know Dad. Can I be part of the investigation?" Daniel asks.

“I can’t let you be in their way. They are trained professionals. I could let you stand guard before but this is different.” Berenson explained. “I know they will have questions for you seeing as you were the first one into the room and finding her.”

"Dad, I will be going into the guard when I get older." Daniel tells him. "I want to prevent this from happening to anyone else."

“I can understand that. I cannot stop you from going into the guard. I did the same when I was old enough. It is in your blood to protect. You are so much like me and I can see that.” Berenson said.

~~

Brandon looked at Melody. “Grandpa will always be great in his own way. As far as Uncle Caleb goes, he will grieve in his own way. He took it hard when my mother passed away and blamed my father for the deeds that happened. Just give him time.”