The Greens of Jericho

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the television show Jericho or any part of it. The characters are not mine in any way. I am not affiliated with CBS, the television show Jericho or the writers of Jericho.    I am borrowing them for a while and I promise to give them back.

Special thanks to Marzee, Nightsky and JT.    They are great to work with.   JT, thanks for the weapons advice!!!   

This one is REALLY REALLY long.    Grab a cup of coffee or caffeine of your choice and I hope you enjoy!!

AUTHOR'S NOTE:   THERE MIGHT BE A FEW PARTS THAT ARE A PG-13 OR BETTER RATING.   FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) YOU HAVE BEEN DUELY WARNED.


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Chapter 22

Jake heard a loud persistent banging.   He jerked awake.    He could see Heather curled around Molly in the near darkness.   There was a curt knock on his and Heather's bedroom door.
 
"Yeah," he said, sleepily.
 
Johnston stuck his head in the bedroom, "Get up, Jake.   Stanley's here.  Somethin's goin' on down at Town Hall.   We need to be there.  Quick."
 
Jake got out of bed very quietly.    Molly had been up every hour crying.    Jake had tried all his tricks.    The only thing that had finally gotten any of them any sleep was putting her in the bed with them.    He pulled on jeans and a t-shirt.   He grabbed his boots on the way out of the bedroom and eased the door shut.
 
"Lookin' a little tired there, Buckaroo.    How's fatherhood?" Stanley asked, grinning wickedly.
 
"I'm a little older than I was last time," Jake said, yawning and pulling on his boots.  "I forgot about the lack of sleep.    She'll get settled soon.   I hope."
 
Johnston looked at him, "Jake, when you and Eric were babies...."
 
Jake pulled on his jacket, looked at Johnston and held up his hand, "Dad, not now.  We'll work it out."   He looked at Stanley, "So, what's so important at 3 am?"
 
"I don't really know.   There's a boy in Gray's office.   He says he has a message from New Bern.   That's all he'll say."
 
The three men headed towards the door.    No one had seen Jacob walk down the stairs.
 
"Dad?   What's goin' on?  Are you going away?"
 
"What're you doing awake?" Jake asked, walking back towards Jacob.   This was the first he had seen the boy in hours.    Jacob had been very upset when he heard about Heather's pregnancy and found out he was now a big brother to boot.  He had stayed in his room the rest of the day, pouting.    "It's just a late meeting.   I'll be back in a little while.   Go back to bed," he said.
 
"Can I go?" Jacob asked, hesitantly.
 
"Bud, it's the middle of the night.   I need you to stay here and look after the house."
 
"Are you coming back?" Jacob asked, kicking the banister lightly.
 
Jake looked back at Johnston and Stanley and waved them out the door.   He looked back at his son and smiled.
 
"Of course I'm coming back.   I'll be home in a little while.   I promise," Jake said, giving Jacob a hug.
 
"Okay," Jacob said, in a voice that showed he clearly didn't believe his father.   He turned around and slowly went back up the stairs.    When Jake heard the bedroom door close, he shook his head, sighed and headed out the front door.
 
**********     **********     **********      **********
 
Jake and Johnston still weren't home by lunch so Gail decided to go to Town Hall to see what was going on.   
 
Jacob, hearing Gail's plan, immediately started begging to go too.
 
"Please, Gran?    Please can I go?" Jacob asked.
 
"Honey, don't you think you need to stay here with Heather?   She might need you," Gail said.
 
Jacob glanced coldly over at the rocking chair where Heather was trying to get Molly to take a nap and then looked back at his grandmother, "She'll be fine.    She has that baby.   She's not alone."
 
Gail raised her eyebrows, "Jacob, that's ugly.    You need to apologize."
 
"Sorry," Jacob muttered, not sounding apologetic in the least.
 
"I don't care if you don't, Gail," Heather said, resignedly.   "We'll be fine.   I'll take a nap when Molly goes down."
 
"Okay, we'll be back soon," Gail said, herding Jacob out the door.   "A nap will be good for you.   You need your rest."
 
She took Jacob's hand and they started down the sidewalk towards downtown.   
 
"Jacob, that baby is Heather's daughter and your step-sister.    She's little and needs a big brother to protect her.     Your mother's going to have a baby in a few months and she needs your help.    Pouting and acting like a brat isn't going to help anyone.   It's time for you to grow up a little bit."
 
"Yes, Ma'am," Jacob said, placatingly.   
 
By this time they were almost to Town Hall.   Jacob heard a high pitched whining sound.   He stopped and looked up, trying to find it.     Someone screamed, "GET DOWN!!"     Gail, without thinking, shoved Jacob to the ground and laid on top of him.
The bomb hit the street, very close to them.    The explosion was so intense Jacob felt his teeth shake.    The world went black.
 
Jake ran out of Town Hall to assess the damage.   People were scattered around the large crater in the street.    Cars were overturned.   Broken glass was everywhere.   He walked out into the street and started checking the injured.    Suddenly his breath caught and he felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice water over his head.    He saw his mother and Jacob laying in the street, not moving.    Suddenly the high pitched whine of an incoming bomb could be heard.     He bellowed, "INCOMING INCOMING.  HIT THE GROUND!"     He threw himself on top of his mother and his son and started praying.
 
Jacob and Gail woke up, totally disoriented, to Jake shaking them and calling their names.    Their ears were ringing and they could barely make out what Jake was saying.    Jake breathed a sigh of relief when Jacob and Gail opened their eyes.      He picked Jacob up with one arm and supported his mother with the other and got them to the sidewalk.   
 
Jake tilted Jacob's head up and looked at his eyes and then started feeling arms and legs.  He repeated the procedure on his mother.     Nothing was broken.      Johnston and Eric ran up, out of breath.
 
"Are they alright," Johnston asked, terrified.
 
"I can't hear," Jacob yelled, putting his fingers in his ears and shaking his head.   "They're just buzzin'.   What are you saying?" he asked, hitting the side of his head and starting to panic.
 
Gail shook her head, "I can't hear."
 
Johnston took their chins in hands, so they were looking at him, and yelled, slowly, "It will go away.   It just takes time."
 
"Let's get them over to the medical center," Jake said, picking Jacob up and offering his mother his hand.
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Kenchy Dhuwalia shone a light into Jacob's eyes. 
 
"My friend, you have been in my ER entirely too much this spring," he said, looking in Jacob's ears.    "How's your hearing now?"
 
"Better but I still can't hear good," Jacob said loudly.   "The buzzin' is makin my head hurt," he said, shaking his head.
 
Kenchy spoke slowly and loudly, "The buzzing will go away.    You're going to be okay.    Sit here a minute.    I'm going to get your father.   Do you understand?"
 
He nodded his head in understanding.
 
Kenchy walked out of the room and bumped into Dr. Jessica Walters.
 
"How is Mrs. Green?" Kenchy asked.
 
"She'll be fine.   Her eardrum is burst on the left side but it should heal without any problems in a few days," Dr. Walters said, writing notes in the chart.   "What about the boy?"
 
"He has pretty bad tinnitus due to noise injury but he'll be fine in a few hours.  It could have been a lot worse though."
 
"There're more patients coming in.  Will you talk to the family?" Jessica asked.
 
"Yes.   I'll be back in to help soon," Kenchy said, running his fingers thru his hair.
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Heather was pacing the living room, worried out of her mind.   It had been over an hour since the house rocked with the first explosion.     She had had no word from her family.   'Are they alright?   What were those explosions?' were the thoughts that kept going through her head.    Every time she heard a noise, she ran to the window and looked out.   
 
Finally, Jake's car pulled in the driveway.     Heather put Molly, who protested loudly, in the playpen and ran outside.    Johnston was supporting Gail as she walked up the sidewalk.   Both she and Jacob were covered with dirt.
 
"Jake," Heather said, running towards him, "What happened to Jacob and Mom?? What were those explosions?"   
 
Jake hugged her, the whole time looking towards the sky, "Lets go inside.   I'll tell you inside."
 
"What's wrong, Jake?" Heather asked, frightened.
 
He put his arm around her waist and steered her towards the house, "Inside.   I'll tell you inside.  We need to get out of the open."
 
Jake locked the door firmly behind him.  He turned around and saw three sets of eyes staring back at him.    Johnston had plucked Molly out of the playpen and was standing at the fireplace.
 
"Jake?" Heather asked.
 
He walked over, sat down on the coffee table directly across from Heather and rubbed the back of his head.   "It looks like we have a situation."
 
"A situation?" Heather asked, grasping Gail's hand.
 
"Yeah.   It looks like Phil Constantino and his cronies have convinced the townspeople of New Bern that Jericho is responsible for Ravenwood attacking them.   They also think we're hoarding food and leaving them to starve.   They've given us two hours to turn over seven farms to them or they're going to send more mortars.     What you heard were the warning shots.     Mom and Jacob were pretty much at ground zero when they hit.   Mom's eardrum is burst.   It'll heal in a few days.   Jacob's got some hearing loss right now but it'll go away."
 
Heather gasped and pulled Jacob into a fierce hug.   He submitted for a few seconds and then pulled away and loudly said, "Ma....I'm okay.  Don't squeeze my eyeballs out."
 
"It's not permanent?  The hearing loss?" Heather asked, concerned..
 
"No.  It's from the concussion and loudness of the explosion," Jake said.   "It's like going to a Metallica concert and standing beside one of the speakers.   Your ears ring and your muffled but a few hours later your okay."
 
"Jake?  Are you sure it's Phil Constantino who is doing this?  His daughter was my best friend.   I spent a good bit of my teenage years at his house.  He's been sheriff forever.   He has always been a fair man," Heather said, looking confused.
 
"It was him, Heather.   We're sure," Johnston said, kissing Molly's temple.
 
"What's going to happen, Johnston?" Gail asked, looking back and forth between her husband and her son.
 
Jake held his hand up and looked at Jacob, "Jacob, you need to wash up and change clothes.   You're pretty dirty."
 
"Dad, I don't wanna go.   I want to hear too.    Why does Molly get to stay?" Jacob asked, whining.
 
"Jacob, don't," Jake said, sighing loudly.   "I'm tired and I don't want to deal with that.   Go on upstairs," he said, pointing to the stairs.
 
When he heard the bathroom door shut, Jake looked at Heather and Gail, "We're going to take out the mortars and do some recon.   We have to find out what's going on."
 
"Jake, no.   It's too dangerous!" Heather said, looking scared.
 
Johnston looked at Gail and motioned towards the kitchen.   They quickly left the room.
 
"Heather, I have to.   No one else has the training to do this.   I have to do it.   Those mortars have got to be taken out," Jake said, taking Heather's hand.   "I'll be fine.   I promise."
 
"You'll be back tonight?  When it's done?  You'll come home tonight?" Heather asked.
 
Jake took her face in his hands and slowly kissed her and then touched his forehead to hers, "I'll be back as soon as I can.    You and Mom need to get the basement set up.    You're gonna be staying down there for a while.    It's safer."
 
Jacob bounded down the steps and skidded to a stop beside Jake.
 
"I'm back," Jacob said, smiling.
 
"I see that," Jake said, returning Jacob's smile.   He pulled Jacob down on the couch beside Heather.  "I'm gotta go to work for a little while.    This is very important.   Do not go outside.    I don't know if there will be more of those bombs.    You need to help Heather and your grandmother get things ready in the basement."   
 
Johnston came out of the kitchen, followed by Gail and a very sticky Molly.    She was clutching a red sucker.    She carried another in her other hand.   She held the unopened sucker out to Jacob, grinned and said, "Ja, bite."
 
Jacob smiled, looked around self-consciously at everybody, and took the sucker.   "Thanks, Molly."
 
"Mom, where in the world did you get suckers?" Jake asked, holding his hands out to take Molly.
 
"They were in the diaper bag," she said, wiping her sucker sticky hands on her jeans.
 
Molly held the sucker out to Jake, "Bite?"
 
Jake smiled at her and licked the sucker, "Umm, cherry.   Thank you."   He kissed her and handed her to Heather.
 
He turned to Jacob and hugged him, "Behave and mind Heather and Gran."
 
"I will," Jacob said, enjoying the first sucker he had had in months.
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Several hours later, Jacob and Gail had the basement ready for a camp out.     Heather saw Jacob putting his baseball bat behind the recliner he would be sleeping in.
 
"What's that for?" she asked, snapping the last lock on the pack and play.
 
"In case a bad person tries to come in the basement," Jacob said, very matter of factly.
 
Heather pulled him down beside her on the sofa bed and hugged him.    "You're something else, Jacob.    In case I forget to say it over the next couple of days, I love you.   Don't ever forget that."
 
"I won't," he said, wiggling uncomfortably.
 
"How's your headache?" she asked, moving her arm.
 
"It's better," he said, getting up and running up the steps.
 
She put her head in her hands and rubbed her temples and thought, 'When will this all end?   All I ever wanted was a happy family at the ranch house.   Now I'm hiding in the basement with my eight year old ready to protect me with a baseball bat.'

**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Evening fell slowly without a word from Jake or Johnston.    There had been no more explosions, so Heather took that as good news.      At nine o'clock, Jacob got ready for bed and promptly went to sleep, still complaining of a slight headache.    Heather started pacing the small confines of the basement holding Molly.    Every sound sent her to the foot of the stairs.    She patted and hummed but Molly wouldn't stay asleep.   Heather's tension, more than anything, kept her from settling down.   At ten o'clock, they heard the front door open.   Johnston slowly walked down the stairs to the basement, looking very tired. 
 
"Where's Jake?  Is he alright?" Heather asked, her voice edged with fear.
 
"He's finishing up down at Town Hall.   He'll be here in a little while," he said, sitting on the edge of the sofa bed and taking his boots off.
 
Molly woke up again and immediately started crying.    Heather started pacing again, bouncing her and trying to cajole her to sleep.     Johnston watched for a minute, got up and walked over to Heather.
 
"Heather, he's fine.   I swear.   He doesn't have a scratch," he said, pulling her into an awkward hug.    "Let me have the baby.   As tense as you are, she's never gonna go to sleep."    He took Molly and walked around the room twice.   Molly snuggled down into his chest and fell deeply asleep.
 
An overwhelming wave of nausea washed over Heather.   She put her hand over her mouth and ran for the stairs.       Johnston and Gail looked at each other and shook their heads in commiseration.
 
They heard the front door open and then heard Jake and Heather talking.   Minutes later the bedroom door closed and they heard nothing else.
 
After ten minutes, Gail looked at Johnston, "Where are they?    Do you think Heather's alright?" she asked.    She got up and started towards the stairs, "Maybe I should go check on them."
 
Johnston cleared his throat and smiled slightly at Gail, "I wouldn't do that.    They're fine.    Remember back to the night before I left for Vietnam.    Let 'em have their time, Gail.    We're babysittin' tonight."    He started to put Molly in her bed but stood back up and walked over to the bed with Molly still in his arms.   Gail looked at him with a troubled expression.
 
"Is it that bad?" she asked, remembering the night.   They had been married for all of three months, and she didn't know if she would ever see Johnston again.   
 
"It's worse.   We're going to be fighting friends and neighbors.   People we have known our whole life.   It's going to be ugly and it's going to be bloody.   Lots of people are gonna die and it's all for nothing.    It's going to start a vicious cycle of back and forth fighting that will rule Jacob's and Molly's lives," Johnston said, looking at his grandchildren.    He leaned over and put Molly down in the middle of the sofa bed.
 
"Johnston Green, what are you doing?" Gail asked.
 
"She's had a traumatic experience.    She doesn't need to be alone," he said, smiling down at his granddaughter.   
 
Gail groaned, "And, here I thought my days of having babies in the bed ended twenty five years ago!"
 
"It's only one night, Granny," Johnston said, smiling at Gail.
 
Gail rolled her eyes and then smiled, giving in, "If that's what you want, Grandpa."
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Jake closed the door to the hall closet.    When he turned around he saw Heather walking quickly towards the bathroom, crying.   
 
"Heather?  What's wrong?  Are you alright?" Jake asked, following her into the bathroom.
 
He sat down on the side of the bathtub and pulled her hair back while she was sick.
 
She smiled up at him.   "Thanks," she said, starting to stand up.
 
"Stay there," he said, wetting a washcloth and handing it to her.
 
"Are you okay?" he asked, worried.
 
She nodded, wiping her mouth.    She slowly stood up and went to the sink.   She took the mini flashlight out of her pocket, located her toothbrush and quickly brushed her teeth.    She splashed more cold water on her face and after she patted it dry, turned into Jake's waiting arms and started to cry again.
 
"Hey, hey," he said, hugging her tightly, "it's okay.  Shhhh, it's okay."  He reached down and dropped the lid on the toilet, sat down and pulled her down on his lap.   
 
"Jake, I thought something had happened to you.   I don't know what I'd do if you.... if something..." she said, burying her face in his neck.
 
"Nothing's going to happen to me," Jake said.   "I'm okay."
 
They held each other for a long few minutes before Jake nudged her slightly. 
 
"Spending the night on the throne wasn't really my plan," he said, smiling.    "Why don't we go in the bedroom where it's more comfortable."
 
Heather got up and followed Jake out of the bathroom.  She stopped at the bedroom door and looked hesitantly back towards the kitchen, where the door to the basement was.   
 
"What about the kids?   Molly's still up, Jake," Heather said.
 
"Mom and Dad understand," Jake said, smiling softly, "trust me."    He pulled her into the bedroom, shut the door and locked it.
 
He kicked his shoes off, laid down on the bed and held his hand out to Heather.   "Now, where were we?" he asked, pulling her down beside him.
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
A long time later, they lay spooned together.    Heather was on the verge of sleep, feeling totally safe in the circle of Jake's arms.    Jake lightly traced Heather's abdomen with the tips of his fingers.     He hoped the child inside her knew he was there, loving it already.    Jake knew what he was getting ready to do was going to totally ruin the mood but there were some things he needed to tell Heather, just in case.   He took a deep breath, reached up and shook her slightly.
 
"Heather," he whispered.
 
"Hmmmm," she said, from a doze.
 
"We need to talk," Jake said, quietly.   "There're some things I need to tell you."
 
She trembled slightly under his hand.    He reached down, pulled the blanket up from the foot of the bed and tucked it around her.
 
"Why now, Jake?" Heather asked, fear tingeing her voice.
 
"Babe, in a few hours, I'm going to be fighting a war against the people of New Bern.   Before I leave, I want you to know a few things.   Important things.   In case I.....  Well if something happens....."
 
"No, Jake.   Don't talk like that.   It's bad luck.   Quick say a prayer," she said, turning so she could see his face in the semi-darkness.
 
He smiled softly at her.  "You say one for me," he said, stroking her cheek.
 
"You guys are going to have some company til this thing is over.   Bonnie and Mimi are going to stay here."
 
"That's great.   I love them both, but why?   Why aren't they staying at the ranch?"
 
"This thing is gonna happen at the ranch.    It's the highest, most defensible spot around.    If we're gonna win it'll be there or no where."
 
"Oh," Heather said, quietly. 
 
"Mary might stay.   Eric's talking to her.   I'm not sure what she's gonna do."
 
"Okay."
 
"There are two guns in the hall closet.   I want you to hide them somewhere in the     basement.    Somewhere the kids can't get to them,"  Jake said, rolling over onto his back and pulling a pillow under his head.
 
"Jake, I don't like guns.    They make me uncomfortable," Heather said, settling her head on Jake's chest.   
 
The wind picked up outside making the moon throw strange shadows across the room.   Tree branches started tapping on the side of the house and against the house's tin roof.    It lent a creepy quality to the darkness that made Heather shiver.
 
"I know," Jake whispered, hugging her tightly to him.  "I brought a Glock and a MP5K."
 
"I don't know what that means.   Is that good or bad?"
 
"They're easy to use.   Click the safety off and they're ready.    Even Jacob could use one if he had to."
 
Heather shuddered.   She remembered the unbelievably loud sound the gun made in the tunnel when she was trying to get Jacob away from the Ravenwood men.   She remembered the blood and the dead eyes of the man she killed.    Tears started leaking out the corners of her eyes.
 
"Jake, I don't ever want to kill another man," she said, quietly.   "Please tell me I won't have to do that."
 
He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head, "I know.   I hope you don't have to.   But I want you to be able to defend yourself and the kids.   I don't think it'll come to that."
 
"Heather, this is very important.   If something happens to me, you have to do everything I'm going to tell to do.    Your safety and the kids' safety might depend on it.    Do you remember the papers I showed you and Mom?   The social security cards, the passports and the birth certificates?"   He felt Heather nod.    "If something happens to me, you have to destroy them.   Burn them.   Make sure every bit of it's gone.   That stuff is hidden in the bunker, in the wall behind the shelves.  Remember where I'm talking about?    They're in a bag sealed with parafin.   Destroy them as soon as it's safe to travel.    Will you do that?"
 
"O- Okay," Heather said, hesitantly. 
 
"This new government might not believe that I haven't told you particulars about my job.    Just make sure things are destroyed.     The real deals are in my laptop case.   Pull the laptop out.   Feel in the bottom of that pocket.  There's a small flaw in the fabric.    Pull it and in the hole there's a envelope with the true originals of everything," Jake said.   He took a deep breath and bit his bottom lip.   "In that envelope you'll find all the papers concerning Jacob's custody."
 
"Jake, why would I need those?  There's me and your parents.   I don't think we'll be having any kind of custody fight."
 
"Not with them you won't," Jake said, pinching the bridge of his nose.
 
"What are you trying to say?   Isn't his mother dead?" Heather asked.
 
"No.  She's not dead."
 
"Would you just tell me what you're trying not to say?" Heather asked, sounding frustrated.
 
"Jacob's biological mother is alive and well and lives right here in Jericho.   And she wants him."
 
Heather sat up beside Jake, pulling the sheet with her, "Jake Green, who is she?   Why don't you want her around him?   Would you please stop beating around the bush and just tell me?"
 
"Her name is Becca.  It was Lucas but it's Lawson now.    She's a nurse down at the clinic."
 
"You mean that woman who is always there when we are?"

"That's the one," Jake said, taking a deep breath.
 
"Your mother does not care for her in the least.   There is instant cold whenever they're anywhere near each other."
 
Jake looked at Heather, "What?  What're you talking about?"
 
"Whenever they're anywhere near each other, your mother get red spots on her cheeks and her voice is icy.   She doesn't like the woman.    What did she do to Jacob?"
 
"My mother doesn't have a clue who she is.   At least, she's not supposed to.   I'll have to talk to her in the morning.    As far as Becca, she didn't do anything to him.   She just didn't care.   She never paid any attention to him.   If it didn't involve basic care she didn't do it.   When Jacob was 18 months old, Becca decided she didn't want to be a mother.   She handed him to me.   While I was putting him in the car seat she got in her car and left.   No hug, no kiss goodbye.....she just left.    When we got to California I petitioned for custody.   Not only did she sign her rights away, she wrote the judge a letter saying she had no interest whatsoever in her child." 
 
"What's the issue if she's got no interest?"
 
"Seems after his skateboard accident, she got interested.   She's decided that after six and a half years, she wants to be his mother.   If something happens to me, she'll be on your doorstep in minutes."
 
"She shouldn't bother.   She's not coming near him," Heather said, angrily.
 
Jake smiled and hugged her, "I like it when you're feisty."         
 
She pulled back and looked at him. "Well you just get yourself back here in one piece so I don't have to deal with it, Mr. Green," she replied in her feistiest voice.
 
Jake laughed, pulled her tightly against him and kissed her deeply.   He cupped  her face in his hands. "I'm comin' home," he whispered, nipping her bottom lip, "I promise."
 
Shivers ran up her spine.  She smiled.  "I'm gonna hold you to that."
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
At 6 am, Jake shook Heather.    He had been watching her sleep for the past half hour, waiting til the last possible minute to wake her.
 
"Hey, we gotta get up," he whispered, kissing her shoulder.
 
"Noooo," she groaned, snuggling closer to him.
 
"Heather, I have to," he said.   "Dad and I need to get going, I need to talk to Mom and I want to say bye to Jacob and Molly." 
 
Her eyes snapped opened, "Molly!  Jake we just left her down there with your parents.   What if she cried all night?"    She sat up and reached for her robe.   
 
Jake sat up on the side of the bed, pulled his jeans on and reached for his t-shirt.
"I'm sure they were fine."    He stretched and reached for Heather's hand.
 
When they reached the bottom of the basement stairs, they looked around.   Jacob was asleep in the recliner.    Molly wasn't in her bed.   Jake looked over at the sofa bed, looked back at Heather and grinned.   Molly was sound asleep on Johnston's chest.   "See, it's not just us.  Molly beat them too," he whispered.
 
"No one beats Johnston Green," Johnston said, quietly without opening his eyes.   "Is it time?" he asked.
 
"We have a few minutes," Jake said, walking over and picking Molly up.    He sat down in the rocking chair for a quiet moment with his daughter.
 
Johnston slowly got up and walked up the stairs.   
 
Gail, belting her robe, looked at Jake and gave him a sad smile. "I can't do much, but at least I can make you breakfast," she said, following her husband up the stairs.
 
Jake put Molly, who was still sound asleep, in her bed and looked at Heather.  "I'm going to talk to Mom about what we talked about last night.   I'll be back in a few minutes."
 
Heather, trying to hold back tears, nodded mutely at him.
 
Jake walked into the kitchen.   Gail was standing silently, looking out the back door.   Jake squeezed her shoulder.  "It's going to be okay, Mom.   We'll be fine."
 
"I know," she said, wiping tears off her cheeks.    She looked at her oldest son and patted his cheek.   "Let me get breakfast started.   Would you start the coffee?"
 
Jake got the coffee started.    He didn't know how long the propane tanks he had found at the Ravenwood compound would last, but they sure were nice to have while they did.     He looked at his mother and took a deep breath.
 
"Mom, Heather and I had a long talk last night, this morning.  Whichever you want to call it.    I told her some things she had to do if anything happened.   If I don't come home, she's going to need your help with the kids."
 
"Jake, don't talk like that," Gail said.
 
"There's something you need to know, just in case.   If something happens to me there could be a problem," Jake said, sitting down at the table.   "Mom, about Jacob's mother.   I've had custody of him since he was a baby.   The Superior Court of San Diego made that final when he was three.    She has absolutely no rights whatsoever...at her request.    Jacob hasn't seen her since he was a year and half old and knows nothing specific about her.    Her name is..... " 
 
"I know," Gail said, quietly.
 
"You know?" Jake asked.  "How?  Did she tell you?"
 
"Oh my goodness, no.   She hides in the shadows and spies.   She hardly ever says a word to me.    I overheard you talking to her when Jacob had his skateboard accident.  I've been watching Miss Rebecca ever since.   Don't worry about her, Jake."
 
Before Jake could say anything else, Jacob came slowly up the stairs.
 
"Mornin," Jacob said, yawning.    He dropped in his chair, put his head down on the table and dozed off.
 
"You just make sure you come back in one piece so that none of what you're concerned about matters," Gail said.    She leaned forward and squeezed his arm, "Your family needs you."
 
Jake looked at Jacob and then at his mother, "I will.   I promise."
 
After breakfast, Jake stood up and motioned for Jacob to follow him out on the back porch.
 
He sat down on the steps and pulled Jacob down beside him.  "I'm gonna have to leave.   I've gotta go to work."
 
Jacob's eyes dulled and he said, quietly, "Oh.   Like before?   Are you gonna be gone a long long time?"
 
"I hope not."
 
"You said you wasn't gonna do that no more," Jacob said, barely audible, picking at the wood on the steps.    "You fibbed."
 
"No.   I didn't think I would have to ever do this.   I didn't lie.   I was just wrong.   I need you to do something for me.   I need you to be good for Heather and your grandmother.   Do what they say.   Remember to stay in the house," Jake said.    He pulled Jacob into a tight hug, that was unreturned, "I'll be home in a few days."     Jake got up and walked to the kitchen door.    He turned before walking in the house, "I love you, Jacob.   Always remember that."
 
"Bye, Dad," Jacob said, refusing to look up at his father.
 
Jake walked into the kitchen shaking his head.    Gail and Heather looked at him with understanding smiles. 
 
"He's just upset," Gail said. 
 
"He'll be okay," Heather said.  "He just needs to be alone for a little while."
 
Johnston walked into the kitchen carrying Molly.   Jake held out his hands and took her.   Johnston pulled Heather into a awkward hug.   
 
"Heather, I'll take care of him.    Try not to worry," he said.
 
"Take care of yourself, Dad.   These kids need you in one piece.   They need their grandfather," Heather said, laying her hand on her abdomen.
 
Johnston went to Gail and held her tightly.   "Mrs. Green, I expect you hold down the fort til I get home."
 
Gail smiled, "I will,Mr. Green.   Come home soon."
 
Jake handed Molly to his mother and led Heather into the living room.   He kissed her deeply and held her for a long moment.
 
Johnston cleared his throat, "We need to go, Jake.   It's gettin' late."
 
"I know."
 
"I tried to tell Jacob bye but he wouldn't say anything."
 
"He's upset.   He'll be okay," Jake said, looking towards the back door.
 
They picked up their guns and walked out the front door towards Johnston's truck.
 
When they got to the driveway, Jacob came bounding around the side of the house.   He flung himself into Jake's arms and gave him a tight hug.  "I love you, Dad.   Come home soon."
 
Jake picked him up and carried him to the front steps where Heather and Gail were waiting.    He ruffled his hair and smiled, "I'll see ya in a few days."

**********     **********     **********      **********
 
Three days later, Jake opened the front door and looked around.    The living room was empty.      The last time he had seen his family, he had sent them into hiding in the basement.
 
It was just past daybreak.  Jake knew life was getting ready to change drastically, again.   At this moment he didn't care.   He just wanted to see his wife and his children.   He ached to see them.
 
He quietly walked down the steps to the basement.   Heather and Molly were curled up together on one side of the sofa bed.   Jacob and Dreyfuss, the dog, were snuggled up on the other side.   Mimi, Bonnie and Mary were sleeping on blowup mattresses.
 
Jake knelt down beside Heather and stroked her cheek.   Her eyes fluttered open.   She raised her hand to her mouth and gasped.
 
"It's over, Heather.    It's over."
 
"Thank God," she said, squeezing his hand.
 
The Battle for Jericho had lasted for three days.   Before the fighting at the Richmond Farm, they had had to endure mortor attacks.    No family had escaped loss---be it friend or family member.   Now the Hell of Reconstruction would begin.
 
Heather very slowly pulled a canvas strap off her wrist, got up and quietly followed Jake upstairs.
 
"We haven't heard anything since the first day, Jake," Heather said, sitting down on the sofa.   "How's Johnston?"
 
"It was a shoulder wound.   He lost a lot of blood but Kenchy was able to get the bullet out.   It'll be a while, but he'll be alright.  He's mean as a grizzly bear so I think he's getting better.     Mom's still at the hospital with him.    I stopped by there first.   How was everything here?   I'm assuming not good after seeing you and Jacob leashed together."
 
"We've been locked in a small room for three days, Jake.   Take a guess," Heather said, smiling tiredly.   "Our son is uh...maybe just a little bit stubborn?   He was determined to go to the hospital.    I thought Mimi was going to get a crash course in childcare yesterday."
 
"Why?" Jake asked, suspiciously.
 
"Jacob snuck out of the basement.   I was changing Molly's diaper and he slipped out.   I caught him just as he was going out the front door.  I can't spank him.   I put him in time out for an hour.    I found that baby leash thing in Molly's diaper bag and we've been very close ever since.    After all the injuries and deaths, I didn't know what else to do.   How are things out at Stanley's?
 
"There's a lot of people dead.   People I've known my whole life.    Tommy Dickens, John Chase, Curtis Garth, Alan Brown.   They're gone.   It reminded me of Iraq."
 
"Jake, I'm so sorry," Heather said, hugging him tightly.
 
They held each other tightly for several minutes.
 
"Heather, the military came.   The United States Army.   They're the ones who stopped the fighting.   They were out of Cheyenne."
 
"Cheyenne?" Heather asked, very confused.   "What about Washington?   Who's President."
 
"I don't know much.   I wanted to get home and make sure you and the kids were alright.   Cheyenne is the new capital.   Secretary Valente appears to be in charge there.   There's a Colonel Pierce in charge here.    There's going to be a town meeting tomorrow afternoon.    Everything is supposed to be made clear then."
 
Heather nodded but before she could say anything Jacob ran into the room and flung himself at Jake.
 
"Dad!!  You're home!!" Jacob yelled, wildly hugging Jake.
 
Jake hugged him tightly.   "So I hear you've been trying to escape?"
 
Jacob glared at Heather, unvelcroed the wrist strap and let it drop to the floor. "Do you know what she did to me?   She made me wear a baby leash," he said, indignantly.
 
"You should've behaved.   Be glad it was Heather.   If it had been your grandmother, I can guarantee would have spent the night sleeping on your stomach.    I probably would have just locked you in the closet."
 
"But..."
 
"No buts.   You knew you weren't supposed to go outside and you tried to anyway.   You were punished accordingly.   Now get over it," Jake said, smiling.   He pulled Jacob into another hug, "I missed you so much.    Nobody argued with me for three whole days.   I didn't know what to do with myself."
 
**********     **********     **********     **********   
 
The streets were crowded with people walking to the high school for the town meeting.      Here and there Jake saw armed soldiers scanning the crowd.    He was assuming they were there to keep peace but it made him extremely uneasy to see that many of the weapons had the safetys off.    He did a slow burn when he saw some of the soldiers leering at women and making crude remarks.
 
Heather recognized the set of her husband's face and it made her uneasy. "Jake, what's wrong?" she asked, shifting Molly to the other side so that she was between her and Jake instead of vulnerable on the outside.   
 
"Nothing.    Let's just keep moving."   
 
Jacob saw Brody ahead and started to speed up.    Jake clamped his hand on his shoulder to stop him.
 
"No."
 
"Why?   I want to walk with Brody."
 
Jake bent down and whispered, "Son, look at the soldiers.   They're watching everything.    Don't give them a reason to have to react.    You stay right here with your mother and me."
 
Jacob cut his eyes at his father and nodded briefly, one time.    He settled for waving at Brody.     When Brody's mother saw Jake's reaction, her eyes got big.    Jake looked at her, giving her an almost imperceptible nod.     She clutched Brody to her and continued walking.
 
Eric and Mary joined them at the street corner beside Bailey's Tavern.
 
"What's with all the soldiers on the street?" Mary asked.
 
Jake shrugged, "I don't know.   I expect we'll find out."
 
The football stadium at Jericho High School was packed.     Snatches of gossip about the appearance of Heather Green's daughter, deaths of friends and neighbors and the condition of Johnston Green and the other wounded were mixed in with speculation about the coming meeting.      Again, Jake noted the armed soldiers here and there among the crowd.
 
Jimmy Taylor, dressed in street clothes instead of in uniform, followed by his family approached Jake.
 
"Hi, Jake," Jimmy said, looking at the seats beside the Green family, "these seats taken?"
 
"No," Jake said, smiling, "they're all yours."
 
"Funny thing happened this morning, Jake," Jimmy whispered, maintaining his grin.
 
Jake looked sharply at Jimmy.   He pulled his hand out of his pocket and dropped change and car keys on the riser.   He knelt down to pick it up and Jimmy knelt down as if to help him.
 
"What happened," Jake asked, quietly.
 
"Colonel Pierce disbanded the Sheriff's Department.     We had to turn in our uniforms and surrender our badges and guns."
 
Jake looked at him sharply.   Jimmy nodded imperceptibly.
 
"I wanted you to know.   The volunteers will be next.   The military is taking over," Jimmy whispered.    He stood up, handing Jake a handful of change, "There, I think that's got all of it.   Did you find your keys?"
 
"Yeah.   Thanks, Jimmy," Jake said, nodding and smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.   "I'm sure you remember how clumsy lack of sleep makes you."
 
Margaret looked over at Heather and pasted a large smile on her face, "Heather, I have just been awful, not coming to visit.   I have tubs of clothes from when Emily was a baby.    I've been meaning to bring them over but I just haven't had a chance.   How is everything at your house?"
 
Jake looked over at Heather, hoping she understood the need the keep up the friendly chatter.
 
"Everything is great.   We're doing wonderful," Heather said, smiling.   "Thanks for the offer of the hand me downs.   We can so use those!   I don't think the Babys R Us will be back open anytime soon."
 
The whine of mechanical feedback silenced everyone in the stadium.
 
"GOOD AFTERNOON, PEOPLE OF JERICHO.   MY NAME IS COLONEL RICK PIERCE.    I WILL BE CONDUCTING THIS MEETING TODAY.    I'M SORRY BUT AT THIS TIME THERE WILL BE NO OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE QUESTIONS.   PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY.    JERICHO IS NOW UNDER MARTIAL LAW AND UNDER MY COMMAND.   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES  WANTS TO HELP YOU GET THIS TOWN BACK ON THE GRID AND GET THE HOSTILITY SETTLED WITH NEW BERN.    IN ORDER TO DO THIS THERE WILL BE A FEW RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED.    YOUR COOPERATION DURING THIS TRANSITION PERIOD IS APPRECIATED.   PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY.   THERE WILL BE COPIES OF THE NEW TOWN REGULATIONS AVAILABLE AT THE GATES ON THE WAY OUT.
 
Jake looked sharply at Heather and said, "Martial law?   What happened to the Constitution?   Heather, this is wrong.    This isn't the way this is supposed to go."    Jake didn't notice a soldier moving closer to them.
 
THERE WILL BE A CURFEW INSTITUTED IMMEDIATELY.   NO ONE WILL BE ON THE STREETS AFTER 9PM WITHOUT SPECIAL PASS.    THE ONLY PERSONS TO RECEIVE THESE PASSES WILL BE CITY WORKERS AND PEOPLE SCHEDULED TO WORK WITH AN APPROVED WORK SCHEDULE.    YOU WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THESE PASSES WITH A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE.
 
LOOTERS AND CURFEW BREAKERS MAY BE SHOT.   
 
THERE WILL BE NO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 13 ALLOWED OUTSIDE OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING AREAS.  PERIOD.
 
Mad murmurings could be heard through the crowd.    Jake heard the unmistakable sound of safetys being clicked off and watched the soldiers become more wary.    He pulled Jacob closer to him.    Eric started to say something.    Jake noted the soldier beside them suddenly start paying closer attention.   He clamped his hand on Eric's arm and shook his head.
 
THERE WILL BE NO SOCIAL GATHERINGS OF GREATER THAN 5 PEOPLE, OTHER THAN SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES OR FAMILY GATHERINGS WITH VERIFIABLE FAMILY.   
 
WEAPONS OF ANY SORT ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE STREETS.   THIS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED BY CONFISCATION AND LOCAL JAIL TIME FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE.    FURTHER OFFENSES WILL BE DEALT WITH MUCH MORE HARSHLY.     ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 21 ARE ALLOWED ONE FIREARM.    ALL OTHER WEAPONS MUST BE TURNED OVER TO THE ARMY.   
 
"There goes the first amendment," Heather said.
 
"And the second," Eric replied.
 
"Don't worry, they'll take out the whole Bill of Rights before this is over," Jake muttered cynically.
 
Loud cries of "unconstitutional" could be heard through the crowd.   
 
The Colonel stopped and scanned the crowd taking note of where his soldiers were stationed.    Orders had been given to listen closely for troublemakers and stand close to them so he could make note of the faces.    When the voices died away, Colonel Pierce continued his speech.
 
ALL PERSONS, AGED 7 AND ABOVE, COMING TO LIVE IN OR AROUND THE JERICHO AREA AFTER 2002 WILL SUBMIT TO AN INTERVIEW WITH A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE.    A VALID PRE-ATTACK FORM OF  IDENIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN JERICHO.
 
ALL PERSONS IN JERICHO AND THE SURROUNDING AREA MUST REGISTER WITH A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE AT THE JERICHO TOWN HALL TO RECEIVE A NEW ID AND RATION CARD.   THESE CARDS WILL BE ISSUED TO EVERYONE NO MATTER WHAT AGE.  EACH HOUSEHOLD WILL BE GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TIME.   PLEASE BE ON TIME.  WITHOUT THIS ID YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE RATIONS.    EVERYONE IN THE HOUSEHOLD MUST BE PRESENT AT THIS MEETING.   BRING A PERSONAL INVENTORY OF FOOD, FUEL, VEHICLES AND WEAPONS WITH YOU.   A MESSAGE BOARD WITH EVERY FAMILY'S APPOINTMENT TIME IS BEING PLACED AT THE TOWN HALL RIGHT NOW.   PLEASE READ ALL ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THIS BOARD CAREFULLY.   YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS THERE.
 
FOOD AND FUEL DISTRIBUTION WILL BE DONE ON MONDAY-WEDNESDAY-AND FRIDAY.    YOUR DAY WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE REPRESENTIVE AT YOUR MEETING.    ANY DISRUPTION OF THE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS WILL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION  OF DISTRIBUTION. 
 
YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO GROW A GARDEN TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR RATIONS.     75% OF THE FOOD GROWN BY FARMERS MUST BE TURNED OVER TO THE TOWN FOR REDISTRIBUTION THRU THE RATIONING.
 
Jake looked at Heather sharply, "Heather, that's commu...."
 
The soldier snapped to ready with his weapon.
 
Heather firmly grasped Jake's arm and looked at him with wild eyes, "Jake, don't.   Just listen."
 
When Jake sighed and nodded, the soldier relaxed, slightly.
 
AS IT IS SUMMER, HUNTING SEASON IS CLOSED ON ALL GAME EXCEPT FISH.     OFFENDERS WILL BE DEALT WITH HARSHLY.
 
FUEL DISTRIBUTION WILL BE 10 GALLONS PER HOUSEHOLD PER WEEK.    IF YOU ARE A FARMER OR WORKING AT ONE OF THE OUTLYING FARMS YOU MAY APPLY FOR A WORK ALLOWANCE.   THESE WILL BE REVIEWED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. 
 
ANY TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF A 15 MILE RADIUS MUST BE APPROVED AND WILL REQUIRE A TRAVEL PERMIT WHICH WILL BE APPROVED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT LIAISON.
 
ELECTRICITY WILL BE SUPPLIED TO TOWN HALL, THE GOVENMENT OFFICES AND THE HOSPITAL ONLY.    MORE AREAS WILL COME ONLINE AS MORE RESOURCES BECOME AVAILABLE.
 
A GOVERNMENT LIAISON WILL BE HERE WITHIN THE WEEK.    LET'S ALL TRY TO BEHAVE AND GET ALONG UNTIL THAT TIME.    THERE WILL BE MORE MEETINGS AT THAT TIME WHERE MORE QUESTIONS WILL ANSWERED.
 
THANK YOU.
 
The  Colonel turned around and walked off the field without a further word.     Jake looked around and saw every soldier at attention with his finger on the trigger of his gun.    'So this is what occupation is like,'  he thought.   
 
Angry voices could be heard all around the field.    People started moving towards the exits.   
 
"Jake?  What was all that?" Heather asked, worriedly, clutching Molly closer to her.   
 
"What does it mean?" Eric asked, looking at Jake.
 
"Yeah, Dad?   It sounded bad," Jacob said.
 
Jake saw a uniformed man look sharply at Jacob.
 
"Hush and move on.  We need to get home," Jake said, putting his hand on Jacob's shoulder and his other arm around Heather's waist.   He firmly pushed them forward.
 
**********     **********     **********     **********
 
Jake walked in to find Johnston in his recliner.
 
"Dad!  You're home!" Jake said, relieved but worried at the same time.   Johnston still looked very pale.
 
Heather, Mary and Eric walked in talking about the new town regulations.  Mary whispered something to Eric and sped off towards the hall bathroom.   When Heather saw Johnston she handed Molly to Eric and ran across the room.   Eric eyes got big.   He obviously had no idea what to do with a squirmy 18 month old.
 
"Dad!!" Heather said, hugging her father in law, "how do you feel?"
 
"Like a Great Dane," Johnston grumped.   "Do you know what they've been treating me with?  Styptic powder and dog medicine."
 
Heather touched his cheek and rubbed his beard, "Well, your coat is nice and shiny so I guess it worked."
 
Gail walked into the living holding a bowl of broth.   
 
"Heather, now do you understand why your son is such a bad patient?" Gail said, pointing at Johnston.  "It's inherited on the Y chromosome in the Green family."
 
"But it skipped a generation with me," Jake said, grinning.
 
"Um hmm," Gail said, giving him a knowing look.
 
"Gail, I don't want any soup.   I've been souped to death."
 
"Hush, Johnston.   You'll eat the soup and you'll enjoy it," Gail said, sitting down beside him.   
 
Molly continued trying to squirm out of Eric's arms.   He looked down at Jacob, "Here," he said, handing her to Jacob.
 
"I don't want her!" Jacob said, reluctantly taking her.     Molly pointed at Johnston.   Jacob glared at her, "You know how to walk, you know."   
 
"Down," Molly said, emphatically.
 
"Fine," Jacob said, letting her slide to the floor.   She ran to Johnston, held her arms out.
 
Jake picked her up and sat her in Johnston's lap.     Molly immediately snuggled against Johnston's chest.
 
Johnston smiled, "That's Grandpa's Baby Girl."
 
"So, Jake," she said, looking at her son while spooning broth into Johnston's mouth, "what was the town meeting about?"
 
**********     **********     **********     **********     
 
Three days passed without incident.   Jake had woke up that morning feeling like maybe there wouldn't be that much of an interference in their lives.   The biggest problem they had had to deal with was getting Molly to eat.    It threw Jake back to the days of trying to get Jacob to eat, only now there was no Frosted Cheerios, chicken nuggets or french fries!    He had been sure he would wake up to find Jacob had turned into a chicken nugget one morning.
 
Jacob walked in the front door.   He had to find his dad.   He looked in the bedroom and living room but didn't see anyone.   Finally, he heard voices from the kitchen.
 
Jake and Heather looked up when Jacob ran into the kitchen.   They had been trying to entice Molly into eating corn and lima beans.
 
"Hey, Buddy," Jake said, smiling.   "Where's Gran and Uncle Eric?"
 
"They're getting out of the truck.   Dad, I need to talk to you."
 
"How was downtown?" Jake asked.
 
"I really need to talk to you," Jacob said.   He looked over at Heather and Molly, "In private, Dad."
 
"What?" Jake asked, distractedly, trying to airplane the beans into Molly's mouth.  But Molly's mouth was clamped shut.
 
"You're making her eat lima beans?  Bleck," Jacob said.
 
Jake looked over at Jacob and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, and it's your lunch too Mr. Bleck."
 
"Jake, she yawned and I popped it in her mouth.   She ate it!" Heather said, excitedly.
 
Jake laughed, "Well alright!  We just have to wait til she shows she's tired of us and then she'll eat."
 
"Dad?"
 
Eric and Gail walked into the kitchen talking.   Gail was obviously upset.
 
"Jacob Green, if you ever hide from me again, I will blister your behind.   Especially now.  What if they had caught you?"
 
"Hide?  What are you talking about?" Jake asked.
 
"Your son ran off as soon as we walked into Town Hall.   I'm trying to get a dispensation for your father's interview and he hides."
 
"Dad? Please," Jacob said, pulling on Jake's shirt.
 
"How's Molly?" Eric asked Heather, smiling at his niece.
 
"She's good.   She finally ate the lima beans," Heather said, laughing.
 
"Jacob, why did you hide from your grandmother," Jake asked, angrily.   "That's about the quickest way I can think of to never leave the house again."
 
"Bleck.  Poor kid," Eric said, making a face.     Jake looked at Eric and shook his head.   It suddenly hit him where his son got the overwhelming pickiness... his Uncle Eric.
 
"Damn it, Dad!! Please listen to me.   I need to talk to you!!" Jacob yelled.
 
Instant silence fell over the kitchen and everyone looked at Jacob.    He blushed a deep crimson.
 
"You have my undivided attention, Jacob," Jake said, quietly.
 
"I need to talk to you," Jacob said, looking around, "in private."
 
"Alright," Jake said, standing up and leading his son into the living room.

"Why did you hide from your grandmother?   And it better be good," Jake said, quietly.

"Dad, I saw her," Jacob said, his eyes big.   "She was talking to Mr. Anderson at Town Hall.   She didn't see me but I saw her."

"Who did you see?" Jake asked, worriedly.

"Sara."

"Sara? Are you sure?" Jake asked, kneeling down in front of Jacob.

"Yes, Dad.   I know it was her.   I couldn't let her see me.   I hid under the stairs until Gran was done and then I stayed where she couldn't see me when we walked out.   Gran was pissed..."

"Don't say pissed.   It ain't nice," Jake said automatically.

"Anyway, Gran was upset.   I was afraid Sara would see me but she was talking to Mr. Anderson and I don't think she did."

"Alright.   Here's what I want you to do.   Go apologize to your grandmother for hiding," Jake held up his hand when Jacob started to protest, "just do it.   I have to figure out what to tell em.    Then, listen, I want you to go up to your room.    Make sure there's nothing in your school bag that doesn't need to be there.  Understand."

Jacob nodded and reluctantly walked towards the kitchen.    Jake dropped his head and closed his eyes.    This was definitely not a good thing.   Sara knew absolutely everything about him and Jacob.   How in the world was he going to tell Heather that her sister was back in town and evidently in charge.

**********     **********     **********     **********

A week later, Jake sat at the kitchen table gathering up the required information. Jacob's and Molly's birth certificates, his California driver's license and Heather's Kansas one. He also had his and Heather's marriage license.
"Okay, I think we have it all," Jake said, "let's get going. God knows we don't want to be late."

"And Mom and Dad  don't have to come, right?" Heather asked.

"As long as nothing's changed since I talked to Gray this morning.  That was one thing he was good for. He got Pierce to agree to send someone here for them since Dad's injured. Being Mayor for 25 years evidently counts for a little bit."

"Jacob, it's time to go," Jake called up the stairs.

He walked into the bedroom and picked up Molly, who was just waking up from her nap. Gail was talking to Jacob when he came out of the bedroom.

"Honey, be polite. If you don't know an answer then just politely say, "I don't know." Being nice is the key here," she said, giving him an impulsive hug.

"Gran, I got it covered. Don't worry bout it. They can't be any worse than Sister Mary."

"Jacob, yes they can. Be careful," Gail said.

"We'll be fine, Mom," Jake said, smiling at her. "Alright, Guys, lets go."

With the streets almost empty they made it to Town Hall very quickly.

They walked into Town Hall to find it completely militarized. Armed soldiers were at all entrances and exits. Security wands were being used on everyone who walked into the building.

Jake and Heather stopped at a desk situated in the exact center of the atrium. Jake handed Molly to Heather and pulled Jacob in front of him.

"Last name?" a uniformed man asked.

"Green," Jake replied curtly.

The man's finger trailed down the page, "We have several Greens on the list. Which would you be?" the man asked.

"The ones with the 2 o'clock appointment," Jake said, sarcastically. 

"Those kinds of answers aren't helpful, Mr. Green," the man said, raising his eyebrows.

Jake started to say something else but Heather placed her hand on his chest and looked at him. They watched each other intently for a few seconds. Jake was the first to drop his eyes.

"We are Johnston Jacob Green, Jr and Heather Green," Heather replied.

"Thank you, Mrs. Green," the man said, pulling a folder out of his inbox. "The children?"

"Johnston Jacob III and Molly Erin."

A second file was pulled.      I bright green bow fell onto the files on the desk.   The attendant picked it up and looked up to see Molly grinning at him.   

"I think this belongs to you," he said, without smiling, holding it out to Heather, who hadn't seen Molly throw the bow down.

She took it, blushing.  "Sorry."    She looked at Molly, pointed at her, trying not to smile, and said, "Don't take your bow out.   It only took me an hour to get it fixed."   Heather had spent an hour painstakingly trying to get the bow to stay in Molly's hair.   The bow matched the green gingham dress Molly wore perfectly and made the outfit.

Molly giggled and said, "Uh oh.  New shoe gone."   Heather saw a small white sandal fall to the desk.

Heather picked it up and said embarrassedly, "I'm sorry."

"Private Davis," the man said, motioning someone over and handing him the files, "please escort the Green family to Mrs. Avery's office.   Immediately!"

"Follow me please," Private Davis said, walking down the hall, trying not to smile.

When they reached what had been the Mayor's office, the Private placed the files in the InBox beside the door, knocked and walked in. He directed them to chairs and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Jake," Heather said, pleadingly, "please be cooperative. Let's just get through this and be done."

"Heather...." Jake started to say when Molly squealed with laughter.

Jacob had made a fish face at her.

"Molly, is your big brother making faces?" Jake asked, tickling her and grinning at Jacob. Molly collapsed in laughter. Jacob was starting to lose some of the jealousy but it was a slow go. "Hey," Jake said, leaning over and winking at Jacob, "no horsing around when Mrs. Avery comes in though, okay?"

"Sure, Dad," Jacob said, smiling self consciously. He pulled a very old handheld electronic football game that he had found in the basement out of his pocket. He put earbuds in his ears and was quickly lost in the world of electronic blips and beeps.

"Jake, when do you think we'll see Sara? I looked but didn't see her downstairs. It's going to be ugly. I just know it. Of all people to come here," Heather whispered, closing her eyes and shuddering.

Jake leaned over and kissed her on the temple, "Maybe we won't see her at all. We'll get through this meeting and go home and that'll be the end of it."

"Da-ee?" Molly said, patting Jake's cheek. "Down." She started squirming to get down.

"No down," he said, smiling softly. He picked her up out of Heather's lap and walked around the room. "This used to be Grandpa's office. Daddy played here when he was a little boy," he told Molly. Jake stopped at the window and looked down Main Street. There were soldiers, Humvees and Jeeps all up and down the street. The sight of it put fear in the pit of Jake's stomach. He had seen this kind of thing in the Middle East. It was never good for the people of the town.

The door opened.

"Sorry, Folks. I had to take care of something," the woman said, walking to the desk without looking up.

Jake's head jerked around suddenly. He knew that voice. Intimately. Heather's eyes got big. She looked over at Jake and then back to the desk.

Sara finally looked up from the file had been reading. She gasped loudly and tried to cover it with a cough.

"Well, a family reunion. Isn't this nice?" Sara asked in a strained voice, sitting up straighter in her seat.

"Hello, Sara," Jake said, warily.

"Sara," Heather said quietly.

Jacob flicked his eyes up at her and raised his fingers in "Hello" and then went right back to his game.

She pasted a smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes, "Well, Jacob's polite as ever I see."

"I've never had a problem," Heather said, patting his leg.

"Ya know, Sara. This doesn't feel like a family reunion to me. And it definitely doesn't feel friendly," Jake said, turning away from the window. Sara noticed Molly for the first time and looked shocked.

"What exactly is this all about," Heather asked. Jacob scooted his chair closer to Heather's and leaned against her. She smiled at him and laid her hand on his knee.

"This is one of the only safe areas in the whole United States, and we need to keep it that way. We have reason to believe that some of those involved in the attack may even be living in the area. Anyone who's new to the area is naturally of interest. Jake, you showed up in Jericho on the same day the bombs went off. Coincidence? That's all I'm trying to determine," Sara said. She looked up at Jake, "Your job description has always been questionable to say the least. Navy SEAL doesn't cover some of the things I know you were into. I think Command needs to know who they're dealing with here."

Jake looked at her, rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Right."

"This whole thing could be the first stage to a total invasion of our country from a foreign power. Break everything down and then take over. They had to have help getting all the bombs into the country."

"So you think they had inside help? You think I had a part in this?" Jake asked, incredulously, his voice starting to rise. "Am I under arrest for visiting my parents and brother?"

"Jake, calm down," Heather said. Jacob slipped his hand into Heather's and started to bite his bottom lip. Molly reached for her mother and looked as if she could cry at any minute. Jake sat her in Heather's lap, got up and stood behind the chair, clutching the back so hard his knuckles turned white.

Sara continued on as if Heather never spoke, "Of course not but if you wouldn't mind humoring us, we're all understandably curious about anyone new in Jericho."

"NEW? I HAVE LIVED HERE MY WHOLE LIFE," Jake yelled. At this point, Molly started crying. Jake reached over Heather and picked her up, "I'm sorry for yelling, Princess." He patted her back to calm her down at the same time trying to get his anger in check.

"No, Jake, you haven't. You left Jericho for almost six years. In all the time I knew you, not once did you mention visiting your family," Sara said.

"Sara, you lied. You said you were from Boston and you were from New Bern, Kansas! Not high brow enough for you?"

Sara smiled tightly at him, "Jake, I'm not the one on the hot seat here. Maybe you should keep that in mind."

Jacob looked up at Heather, fear in his eyes, "Mama, is Dad gonna go to jail?"

Heather smiled at him and squeezed his hand, "Everything's gonna be okay. Dad hasn't done anything wrong. Sara knows that."

Sara, continuing to ignore Heather and Jacob, stared at Jake.

"You really think I was behind the plan of the largest terrorist attack in history?" Jake said, shaking his head. "Sara, you flatter me."

"Were you behind it, Jake?" Sara asked.

Jake, laughing humorlessly, said, "Yeah. Right."

Sara, returning Jake's laugh, asked, "Would you mind if I asked your wife and son some questions?"

"An interrogation of a pregnant woman and a child, yeah, that's the way to go. You can't intimidate me, so you move on to someone else. What about Molly, Sara? Want to ask her some questions too? She's only 18 months old but I bet you could get really interesting stuff from her."

"It's purely information, Jake. Nothing else."

"Dad? All she says is daddy, down and no," Jacob said, looking at Jake in confusion.

"Hush, Jacob," Jake said, never taking his eyes off of Sara. "Sara can take a little bit of information and run with it."

Sara glared at Jake and turned to face Heather, taking note of Jacob practically sitting in her lap.

"So, Sister....."

Jacob's mouth fell open.

"Thank you, Sara," Jake said, sighing.

Totally ignoring Jake, Sara continued, "Heather, you are relatively new to the area too. From what I can tell, you are very well liked. With all the hostilities with New Bern, I find it odd that no one has brought up that that's where you're from. Maybe they just don't realize it. Yet. But it'll come out. How convenient that you have married into the former Mayor's family. With those connections no one is going to say a word."

"You figured it out, Sara," Jake said, sarcastically, "Jericho's third grade teacher was the mastermind behind the bombs. Wow, now that's great investigative thinking there."

Sara continued to ignore Jake. She leaned forward on her elbows and smiled sweetly at Heather, "So, tell me about this baby you seem to have had since the last time I saw you. I didn't receive a birth announcement."

"You didn't care enough to even come home for Dad's funeral. Why should I have bothered to send you an announcement?"

"She's cute. Who did you try to trap for that one?" Sara asked, obviously trying to make Heather angry.

Heather looked stunned. "No -- no one -- I didn't trap --" she said, looking helplessly at Jake, tears coming to her eyes.

"Me," Jake said, menacingly, while walking around the desk. "I will thank you to talk kindly to my wife or don't talk to her at all." He bounced Molly slightly when he walked around the chair. She giggled, squealed "Da-ee" and threw her arms around his neck.

"Sara, stop being mean to my mama!" Jacob said, standing up and moving in front of Heather.

"That's Mrs. Avery to you, Jacob," she said, smiling coldly. "Sit down. I'll ask you a few questions now. Tell me about coming here. Have you liked living here? Have you and your dad made any interesting new friends? Is he away from home a lot?"

"Sara," Jake said, warningly.

"Jake, my objective is to protect the people of Jericho," Sara said, sickeningly sweet. "I'm only asking for cooperation and patience so I can vouch for you."

"Since when did a resident of Kansas need someone to vouch for them, Sara? Is this the United States or Soviet Russia?"

Heather placed her hand on Jake's arm and took Molly back from him. She looked at him silently for a minute then said, "Jake, in the name of cooperation we can overlook the violation of our civil rights. For the sake of our children, Jake, for the sake of our children."

Sara looked at Heather, coolly appraising her, and smiled, "Why don't you listen to your wife, Jake. It might do you and your family some good." Sara looked down at the file in front of her and started turning papers over. She pulled out Molly's birth certificate. Jake and Heather looked at each other. This would be the first test of Hawkins' work.

"Ah, Tommy Christopher is the father. I would never have guessed that. I could have sworn he was gay. At least it wasn't that Ted Lewis or worse, Russell. Their genes pools aren't deep enough to get your toes wet. At least you chose someone with intelligence.....if not taste."

"It doesn't matter who her father is, Jake Green is her dad! This town drafted my husband into training their Rangers. He patrols all the time. And now he's suspected of being a terrorist. I don't understand, Sara," Heather said.

"This is unpleasant for all of us, Heather," Sara said. "No one is suspecting anything. We just want to know who's in Jericho."

"Sara you know the answers to all the questions you're asking. It's all there in the file. Stop being a bitch and get on with it. I'm a SEAL. Not what you suspected, but could never dig deep enough to find." Sara inhaled sharply. Jake smiled coldly, "Yeah, I knew about your visits to the Navy Database. I was investigating for the Navy. They got wind of what was going on and wanted me to investigate to see if the stuff was coming in by boat."

"Why didn't you tell me, Jake," Sara asked.

"I never really knew you, Sara. You don't let people get close enough for that. I didn't know if I could trust you," Jake said, leaning on her desk so that they were almost nose to nose, continuing in a quiet, menacing voice, "Truth is, Sara, all you ever were was a sure, steady lay. You weren't even that good." Jake smiled coldly at her. "I hope your new husband likes a cold fish. The terrorist trail went cold right here in Kansas. The government I worked for doesn't exist anymore. I've retired. I'm just trying to be a good husband and father now." Jake continued smiling as he sat down facing her.

Sara looked down at her desk and suddenly found that her papers needed to be straightened., "Well, um, I think that we have everything we need here in the file. Copies of the all the pertinent papers are there. I don't see any problems," Sara said, obviously embarrassed. She took a form out of her desk, quickly filled it in and handed it to Heather. "Go to room three and get your ration cards." Heather glanced down at the papers and bit her bottom lip.

Sara quickly gathered up her files and started towards the door. She stopped, turned around and looked at Heather, "You know, I volunteered for this assignment because I was worried about you, Heather. You may not believe that but it's true," Sara glanced over at Jake, "And, now I see that I was right to be worried. Don't expect much from Jake. He doesn't have the parenting skills of a dog and he will always pick those kids over you. Count on it." She walked out of the room and shut the door.

Jake looked over at Heather. She was pale and seemed stunned. Jake looked at Jacob, "Take your sister over to the window. I need to talk to Heather."

"But...." Jacob started.

"NOW, Jacob," Jake said, sharply.

Jacob knew that tone. He heard it infrequently but when he did he obeyed instantly.

When the kids were on the other side of the room, Jake hugged Heather. "Babe, I'm sorry. I know that was ugly. Please understand. It was just going to get worse. She knew which buttons to push. I had to shut her down before she hurt you or the kids. That's the only way I knew to do it. Please tell me you're okay, we're okay," Jake said, starting to get scared. Heather still hadn't said a word, she was looking at the paper in her hand.

"I'm fi...." Heather started. She cleared her throat. "I'm fine, Jake. I'm not angry," Heather said, tears suddenly filling her eyes. "It's been a long time since I had to deal with Sara's bitchiness. I forgot how mean she fights. Why does she have to take it out on innocent children though," Heather said, her voice breaking. She held out the form for Jake to look at. Listed were Johnston Jacob Green, Jr, Heather Lisinski Green, Johnston Jacob Green, III and Molly Lisinski. "Why couldn't she just leave it Molly Green?"

"We'll figure out a way to get it changed, Heather," Jake said.

Heather felt an overwhelming wave of nausea and sprinted for the office door with her hand over her mouth. Jake gathered up the kids and was waiting for her outside the restroom door. When she came out the door he put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. No one caught the angry look that passed over Sara's face as she walked the Taylor family down the hall towards her office.

Heather pulled away and chuckled half heartedly, "Well, I guess that nagging fear that you still had feelings for Sara can be laid to rest now."

Jake smiled and touched his forehead to hers. "Yeah, I think so," he said, stroking her cheek. "I love you, Heather Green."  He set Molly down beside Jacob.   Jacob took a deep breath and reluctantly took her hand so she wouldn't walk away.   Jake cupped Heather's cheek in his hand and softly kissed her.

"Ewwww, gross," Jacob said, pretending to gag.   

Molly looked up at Jacob, grinned and said, "Eww, goss."  She put her hand over her mouth and coughed in an effort to imitate her brother.     Jacob shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Jake and Heather both laughed.   She bent down and picked Molly up, put her arm around Jacob's shoulders and kissed him on top of the head.   Jake led them towards Room 3 to pick up their ration cards.

**********     **********     **********     **********

Later that afternoon, Eric came over with a truck full of wood.   Jake sent Jacob out to help.   Molly was taking an unexpected nap.   He needed to talk to his parents without interruption.

When he was sure Jacob was busy, he walked into the living room, where Johnston had been staying since his release from the hospital.   

"Hi, Jake," Johnston said, looking up from a Suduko puzzle book.  "Your wife has gotten me addicted to these damn things."

"She loves puzzles," Jake said, smiling.   "Do you feel up to a serious conversation?"

Johnston laid the book on the coffee table, "Of course.   What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong.   It's time for a little true confessions.   There are some things you might need to know when."

"Alright, whenever you're ready."

Jake walked to the kitchen and motioned Heather and Gail to the living room.   

"What?" Gail asked, scared.

"I need to tell you a few things.   I want you to know everything, just in case it were to come up in your interview."

Gail and Heather sat down side by side on the love seat.   Jake was faced with three sets of expectant eyes.

He took a deep breath and dove in, "I've already told Heather this stuff but I want you and Mom to know," Jake said, looking at his father.    "When I went to Embry Riddle I was approached by the government.    I wasn't just being a slacker the years I was gone.   I've been in the Navy and trained as a SEAL.   I joined a small off the books team that got me lots of perks in exchange for lots of work.   I have been all over the world doing work for the government.   I spent a lot of time away from Jacob, which is why I had a nanny.   If you're asked about me, that's what I've been doing.   Hopefully, it won't come up but I don't think we'll be that lucky."

"Oh, Jake, that's so dangerous.   What if something had happened to you?" Gail asked.    "What about Jacob?  What would have happened to him?"

"That was all taken care of.  He would have come here.  Surprise," he said, smiling at his mother.   "But just so you know, the closest I've come to getting killed is right here in good old Jericho just a few days ago."

Johnston sat up straighter on the couch.   He was beaming with pride but trying not to show it.   "It had to be the Navy, huh.   You just couldn't join the Army," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, Dad, I wanted to fly jets.   Priorities you know," Jake said, relieved.

Heather took a deep breath and looked at Jake, "Mom, Dad, there's a little more.   Did you know I have a sister?"

"No.   I don't think you've ever mentioned her," Gail said, looking at Heather expectantly.

"Her name is Sara.   We've been estranged for a long time.   A very long time.   It turns out she is working for the new Cheyenne government.   She's our representative."

"Oh, that's nice, Honey," Gail said.   "You must be so excited."

"Well, there's the weirdest coincidence," Heather said, wringing her hands.

Johnston looked over at her, he felt like something big was about to drop.

"She and Jake used to work together.   They disagreed over a few things and don't really get along now," Heather said, looking at Jake.   Heather looked down and took a Kleenex out of her pocket and started to slowly shred it.

"What else, Heather, Jake?" Johnston asked.

Heather looked back at Jake and started to bite her lip.

"Dad," Jake said, "I didn't just work with Sara.   I lived with Sara."

"What???!!!!"  Gail exclaimed.

"Yeah," Jake said, quietly, looking at the floor.

"You lived with a woman, unmarried, in front of your son?" Gail continued, angrily.

"Yes," Jake said, nodding.

"Of all the....." Gail started.

"He doesn't talk about her much.   I think I've heard him mention her two maybe three times.    I'm assuming they didn't have much of a relationship.   He spent a good bit of time with that Kate person, right?" Johnston asked.

"No, Sara wasn't interested in children.    She didn't want to be a mother.    She was there if I was.   When I was away with my job she was at her own apartment.    We broke up before Jacob and I left San Diego.    Heather and I have talked about this.    We're over it.   We're past it.   She's not a part of our lives.    But since she'll more than likely come here to do your interview, we thought you might need to know that."

Heather looked at Gail and took her hand, "Really, it's alright.   Jake and I talked about this before we got married.   He was completely honest.   Sara isn't a part of anything.  She's just a person."

"Alright, Honey, as long as you're not hurt," Gail said, hugging her daughter in law.

"Mom, really, it's not that big a deal," Heather said, pulling away.   "We didn't say anything before because we didn't think it mattered.   She was gone and not coming back.   We thought she was dead.     This isn't embarrassing.   It's just awkward."

Jake walked over and sat down on the arm of loveseat.   Heather leaned back against him.    "I don't think, after our discussion today, she'll mention anything.   I think I pretty much shut her down," Jake said, looking at his father.

Heather reached up and took Jake's hand. "I used to think that Sara was so smart," she said, smiling to herself.   "She got a full scholarship to Harvard based on her grades.   She graduated from Harvard Law School.  I graduated from KU.   But she doesn't seem smart to me anymore.     She was too book smart to see or care what she had in Jake and Jacob.    She was always looking for the next best thing.     She didn't even come home for our father's funeral.    She had a tea to go to.   Much more important.    To be honest, that was the last straw.   After that, I didn't feel like I had a sister anymore.   She's burned her bridges.    As far as I'm concerned my family is right here," Heather said, leaning over and hugging Gail.   

"We love you too, Heather," Johnston said, taking Heather's hand and squeezing it.   He grinned at her. "There's nothing wrong with KU, young lady.    Almost everyone in this room graduated from there," he said, winking at Jake.   "It's a good school."    He settled himself back on the couch and looked from Jake to Heather.   "I'm glad you told us.   It won't go out of this room.  If she comes here to do the interview, at least we know.  Forewarned is forearmed."
**********     **********     **********     **********

Out in the driveway, Eric and Jacob were working hard  unloading wood from the back of Eric's truck.     

"How was the meeting?" Eric asked, filling Jacob's arms with logs.

Jacob shrugged, "Okay, I guess.   Dad got mad."

Eric picked up another log and put it in Jacob's arms, "Is that too big?"

"Naa, I'm strong," Jacob said, puffing out his chest.

"Your dad definitely has a temper.    He's like your grandpa," Eric said, smiling at his nephew.   He put his hand on Jacob's shoulder, "But don't tell him I said that, your dad or your grandpa."

Jacob laughed, "I won't.   Promise."

Eric continued stacking the wood against the fence.  "Hey, what did Jake get mad about?"

"I don't know," he said, sweeping out the back of Eric's truck, "but he was pissed."

"Your dad lets you talk like that?" Eric said, trying not to smile.

Jacob looked over his shoulder, "Uh, no.   Don't tell."

"You keep my secret, I'll keep yours.   Deal?" Eric said.

"Deal," Jacob said, continuing to sweep out the truck.    "Hey, Uncle Eric?   I have a question."

"Shoot,"Eric said, putting the last log on the pile.

"What's a lay?"

Eric looked up at Jacob, "A what?"

"A lay.   I heard Dad say someone was a sure, steady lay.   What is that?" Jacob said, leaning on the broom, looking expectantly at his uncle.

"You overheard that, huh?   Well, um...it's um..." Eric stammered.

"Eric, Jacob?  Come on in.  Dinner's ready," Gail yelled out the back door.

"It's something that your grandmother would be much better at answering than me," Eric said, relieved at the interruption.

Jacob frowned, sighed and jumped out of the truck, "Okay.   I'll ask her then."

Eric and Jacob walked in the back door.    Gail saw how dirty Jacob's arms and hands were.   She looked Jacob and pointed to the sink, "Scrub."   She looked at Eric, "I'm assuming I don't need to supervise your hand washing anymore so you can have the bathroom."

After Eric left the room, Jacob went to the sink and started scrubbing sap and dirt from his arms and hands.   "Gran?  I have a question."

"What is it, Sweetheart?" Gail said absently, stirring the pot on the camp stove.

"What's a lay?"

"What?" she said, turning to look at Jacob.

"What's a lay?   Dad said that today.   He said someone was a lay.   What is that?" Jacob said, turning and dripping soapy water all over the floor.

Gail turned instantly red.   "Your father said that in front of you?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"JOHNSTON JACOB GREEN, JR!" Gail yelled in her best mother voice.   "COME HERE RIGHT NOW, MISTER!"

**********     **********     **********     **********     **********

Thanks for reading my story!!   Feedback is always welcome and appreciated!!