A Plan in Effect

"Good." she nodded as she went into the house.

"Baby...maybe we should talk about it..."

"Why?" she frowned.

"Because you look so shaken up...I'm really worried about you."

"How exactly should I be right now? I'm not going to be all smiles, AJ."

"I know that...but talk to me about this...please..."

"Another time." she said. Of course she was still shaken up about everything and didn't want to talk about it. She didn't mean to be so...well snappy, but she couldn't help it. "I'm tired and in pain, I'm going to shower and try to sleep."

He nodded. "Sure..." he said, trying to figure out what he could to maybe make things better.

She nodded and headed upstairs, taking her time as she glanced around....even though AJ checked the house before she went inside. She went to the bathroom and looked herself over, frowning. She had a bruise on her cheek and a cut on her lip....but she was hurt more on her body than anything. She let out a sigh and took a shower, then headed off to the bedroom, trying to fall asleep. She couldn't sleep because of everything replaying in her head and it didn't look like she'd be sleeping for days if she kept this up.

He gently made his way back into the bedroom and decided to lay down and join her, gently wrapping his arms around her.

She had tensed up a bit, but relaxed knowing it was AJ. "You don't have to lay with me if you don't want to." she said.

"Sorry...I should have let you know it was me." he said gently. "And I want to..."

"It's okay." she said, then nodded. She turned to face him and moved in closer to him, placing her head on his chest. "Sorry if I'm being all panicked and snappy, but...after today, I think I'll be shaken up for a while."

He nodded, holding her close. "and I don't expect you to be back to normal any time soon...but...I want you to feel okay to talk to me about it."

"I'll talk about it eventually, but not right now. I just need some time."

He nodded, kissing her neck lovingly.

"...when are you back on the road?"

"Day after tomorrow...why don't you go on the road with me? With the kids? I could talk to Hunter and some of the other guys about investing in one of those big buses."

"I don't know AJ..." she said.

"Well that way you won't have to home alone...with just you and kids...and you'll have other people to look out for you too and help with the kids."

She nodded slowly. "That would work. I definitely do not want to be here alone. Everytime I try not to think about it, I keep having these flashbacks and they won't go away."

He winced. "I'm sorry..." he said softly.

She shrugged. "You can't really help me forget." she sighed.

"I can try...and I think investing in the bus and having you and the kids on the road with me will help...at least a little." he said seriously. "It's ultimately your choice."

She nodded. "I'll go with you, then maybe I'll stay by Jeff and Candice's place for a bit. I don't even want Maddie to go to school anymore, after he said that he watched her....I don't feel comfortable."