Old Friends, New Friends, Good Friends

(Ride Captain Ride, Part 2)

By Jo and B

Robin, Jack and Maximus

Julie had been dusting and had a porcelain figurine of a ballerina in her hand when the door opened and a man collapsed. He would have fallen right on the entryway tiles if Robin had not quickly grabbed him and lowered him more gently.

The ballerina broke into about five pieces as it slipped from her startled grasp and her eyes went wide. "Robin! What? Who?"

Robin was kneeling beside Jack. "It is Captain Aubrey from the Glen. I found him just down the trail. He'd taken a fall from his horse."

"Horse? He...he...how hurt is he?" She came forward, stooping beside Robin.

"It appears it may prove to be worse than I first thought, Julie."

"He said something...didn't he...before....just at the door?"

"I caught the words 'not yet', but his meaning escapes me," Robin replied, now attempting to lift Jack enough to get him up and onto the couch. Julie helped as much as she could then stood back looking at Jack's flushed face. The sight of that pulled her hand to touch his skin. "He's terribly hot, Robin. This might be more than just a tumble off a horse."

Aubrey could feel the presence of the angel above him and he sensed the strong man was close. What was happening? Was this another transition where he'd have to wait decades to meet his Siren again? A tear fell from the corner of his eye at the thought but it was lost in the sweat that covered his face. This didn't feel right. Perhaps he'd finally come to the end and she was there to take him to be judged. How would he fare thorough his sins?

"Not well," he mumbled "Not well at all," he groaned. For a split second his eyes opened and he looked directly into the pale blue eyes of the angel. His fever fed illusion brought a wave of fear up which made him shiver. He felt hot and cold at the same time. Was he moving through Dante's Inferno or would he feel the solace of his Paradisio? For now he was somewhere in between. Purgatario.

"We've got you, Captain. You're going to be all right." She wasn't sure if he heard her or not.

"I don't know how to get in contact with his wife," Robin said, "but he mentioned he was friends with Maximus. I believe I'll make a call to the Meridius house."

While Julie got a cold wash cloth to place on Jack's brow, Robin walked back toward the still-open front door, dialing the General's number.

Maximus was in the barn, brushing Legion when his cell rang. "Meridius here."

"Oh, good!" Robin sighed. "Listen, Maximus, I have someone here at Rose Cottage whom I believe is a friend of yours."

"A visitor?"

"No, I'm afraid not. It's Captain Aubrey. I was returning through the woods to Julie's when I came across him. He'd taken a tumble from his horse but he also seems as though he's feverish to me. I didn't know what to do but call you."

"He went out riding Nelson today," Maximus replied, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. "Would you like me to call his wife for you?"

"If you would, yes. Maybe bring her to Rose Cottage.  He seems rather out of his head at the moment and should probably get to a doctor if I'm not mistaken."

"Thank you for alerting me, Robin.  I will call Bridgid right away."

Robin walked back toward Julie. "He's calling the Captain's wife."  He looked with great concern down at Jack, who was turning his blonde head back and forth, muttering things too vague to be understood.

Bridgid was on the phone with Millie when the call waiting alerted her. Seeing it was from the Meridius station she clicked over to accept it.

"Joimus is that you? I was just on the phone with Millie and her kids are so sick...."

"No, Bridgid, it is I, Maximus. I am sorry to hear of Millie's children, but listen, Bridgid, Robin has just called me from Julie's house. Jack is there. He went riding on Nelson today and Robin happened upon him in the woods near Rose Cottage. He had taken a fall but Robin thinks he may also be ill. I will be over immediately
to your house and take you there. Do not worry overmuch. He is in good care."

Maximus hung up, hurried then to the Greenery to alert Joimus as to his intentions then got into his car and sped off towards the Aubrey home.

"Don't worry?" she repeated to the disconnected phone. What else could she do? Her heart was in her throat as she quickly dressed. She was outside by the road in record time to wait for Maximus. She had no idea where Rose Cottage was but if she did she'd be headed that way herself. She paced back and forth in front of the mailbox, wondering nervously about Jack. He was as strong as an ox. What could afflict him? Was it the same thing that got Brook and Bennie? Was anyone else sick at the Glen?

Maximus arrived quickly at the Aubrey house. He knew Bridgid and knew all too well how upset she'd be over Jack. Thrown from his horse AND ill? That was a lot for anyone to learn about their beloved. He was glad Julie and Robin had had him and Julie for dinner at Rose Cottage. The place was certainly well tucked away and would be hard for anyone who'd not been there before to locate. He pulled up in front of the white house with its cascades of pink roses but Bridgid was out of the car and running for the door before he could even put his car in park.

"Jack!" she called as she moved quickly up the walk. Someone had opened the door to the cottage before she could place a hand on it.

She couldn't even offer a smile to the man and woman there. The worry on her face wouldn't allow it. Moving directly to Jack she knelt down beside the couch, placing a hand on his brow.

"He's so warm."

Turning to the woman she said "Thank you for taking him in. I am Bridgid, his wife."

She leaned to whisper something into the captain's ear, hoping for a response and he did stir.

"He's with us. Thank God."

The captain began to mumble and he said her name.

Bridgid managed a little smile. "We've got to do something to break this fever. I'm afraid there is no help here at the Glen. I called Tom Young and his wife stated he was quite ill as was his partner. Could I have some water please, for his brow?"

Julie brought a freshly-wet cloth, handing it to Bridgid as Robin said, "I've checked him best I can for broken bones. I found none and truly think he was not all that injured in his fall."

Julie nodded in agreement. "It would be good if we could get some fever-reducer into his system. If I bring you a couple of tablets, do you think you might be able to get them in him, Bridgid?"

"I'll give it a try. Thank you."

Bridgid kept talking to Jack as she stroked his forehead. Turning the wet cloth that Julie gave her she sighed when he opened his eyes.

"Aubrey, what are you trying to do to me? Kill me?"

He groaned and moved his head back and forth. "What...what happened?"

"You fell off your bloody horse in the bloody woods because you have some kind of bloody lurgy."

"D..D..Don't swear, Siren."

"Shit, Jack!" she replied. "I do believe we could get those tablets into him, Julie."

Looking from Julie to Robin and then to Maximus, Bridgid let out a breath. "The Glen seems to attract people with kind hearts. He could have died out there had you not found him. I don't know how to repay you for this."

"There is nothing to repay. I simply guided him here to Rose Cottage."

Julie looked over at Robin, a fond smile on her lips. At least this time, she thought, his going to the rescue didn't end him up in the hospital. I love you, she mouthed, and his eyes sparkled in reply.

Maximus' cell rang. It was Joimus looking for news about Jack. He walked into the kitchen to talk with her.

It was a bit awkward but Bridgid managed to support his head to get Jack to swallow the tablets. After taking a few sips of water from her offering, he lay his head back down and fell back into his haze.

He knew she was there. He could feel the warmth and tenderness of her touch. He heard her voice as she coaxed him to drink but he was not able to come out of the vortex he was in to say much more. The fever wracked him but he knew he had help to fight it.
 

"I don't think we should try to move him, Julie. He's too weak right now," Bridgid slowly turned her eyes to her host. "Can I stay here with him?"

Julie looked at Robin. She had no need for the guest room, not for some while. Robin hadn't slept separately from her since a few days after getting out of the hospital. "I have a spare room, Bridgid. It would be fine for the two of you to use it." 

Maximus came back into the room as Julie was talking. One look at Jack told him that not moving the captain yet would be the best thing. Putting a hand on Bridgid's arm he said quietly, "If you would like, I could go back to your house and bring you some changes of clothing, things like that."  He thought he'd probably best stop by and pick up Joimus on the way. She was much better at determining what would be needed in such circumstances.

"Thank you, thank you both. Maximus, Jason is in Sydney and John Phillip has gone to meet some of his mates in Coffs. You'll find a key above the door on the right hand side. If you wouldn't mind, let the dog out into the garden. He has plenty of food and water, he will be fine."

Her mind was racing. Jack really needed medical attention but with the medics out of service, they'd have to deal with things as they were. She fought off her worry.

"If you would, Robin, help me move him to the guest room and I'll undress him."

"It...it's up the stairs, I'm afraid," Julie said.

"Here, let me assist," Maximus said and between them, he and Robin got Jack up the stairs, Bridgid guarding his head the whole way.

"On the left," Robin said, nodding toward a door. Jack wasn't up to bearing any of his own weight and when the Captain finally lay on the hastily pulled back covers, Robin stepped back, letting out a small puff of breath.

"I shall return soon," Maximus announced, pausing in the doorway on his way out for a last assessment of his friend's condition. He met Bridgid's eyes, nodded, then was down the stairs. 

It seemed like she'd just gotten here yet by the same token she felt exhausted. Jack didn't seem to be any worse but he didn't seem better either.

Setting his boots down on the floor, she folded his clothes and laid them on the footboard.  Bridgid pulled a chair from the corner of the room to his bedside and leaned on her elbows to continue wiping his brow.

"I love you, Jack Aubrey," she whispered to his ear. "Come back to me, sailor. I can't stand to see you like this."