Infinity Chapter 68 - Mending Bridges

[itztigress3]

Chapter 68 – Mending Bridges
POV:  Emily
Word count: 3785

February 28, 2014; Friday

   Despite how remote Zac was acting it was his idea to move forward some and he wanted to meet with Robert and get his side of the story. I saw it as a way to help me understand what Ian could have done to my husband in seven days to make him act like he was. Ian had said Robert wasn’t part of his plan, so I was inclined to believe him. Casey also wanted to speak to him so he was meeting us at the studio. Jessica was going to watch Alexander for us while we were speaking to him. She stayed here in the office with us until he arrived, then took Alexander down to the studio. Alexander was a bit better about being away from Zac, so I was hoping being near the drums would help. All of us had chosen stools or desk chairs for separation and he was left with the couch which is where he sat down.

“You look good Casey and Zac.”

“I feel ok.” Casey replied.

Zac chose not to answer him and I knew physically he was doing better but mentally he seemed way off. Robert didn’t push him for an answer; I guess he could sense that Zac was still upset with him.

“Thank you for doing what I asked you too, you saved his live by taking him to the hospital.” Zac said.

“I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him; you didn’t have to even tell me. I was taking him there regardless.”

I sat back in the chair. “You told me you gave them everything, yet he wasn’t there and there is obviously another house somewhere.”

“I gave them what I knew, the one I thought he lived at. Not even my parents knew he had another location.”

“I want to know everything you know about him. I’m not the FBI Robert and I’m not bound by any strict code to not beat the answers
out of you.”

The three of them glanced at me, but I was honest. If he wouldn’t tell me and help me understand why Zac was so distant then I was fully prepared to beat those answers out of him.

He looked at me. “I honestly wasn’t around him that much when I was growing up. He’s always been attracted to men though, it’s why I felt comfortable telling the family I was also. I didn’t think anything strange until after I got home.”

None of us said a word, but the look on Zac’s face said he didn’t really want to hear any of this; maybe this would help him through or help me get through the wall that he’d obviously constructed.

“My parents said that there was a reason I wasn’t really allowed around him, he was ten when I was born and just after my sister was born our Dad caught him with a younger boy. Uncle Ian was fifteen and the boy was ten. He got help and everyone thought he was fine.”

“He worked at the university!” Casey yelled.

Zac and I both looked at him utterly confused because we didn’t know that! Ian worked for the university?! How the fuck could he works at a school with a prior problem? But, he was also under age so it was possible it was sealed or he hide the truth very well.

“Yeah, because he was 15 and he said he only touched the boy, it’s what Dad caught him doing. Minor charge and he was under 18, it was sealed.”

Made complete sense…didn’t help the problem at hand.

“Was he always obsessed with me?” Zac asked.

“I can’t answer that. He knew who I was on tour with he asked me right after I was hired. He didn’t seem to give a damn really, I never saw anything. No albums, no pictures, nothing. For all I know he liked heavy metal and bands like Slipknot.”

“Oh he doesn’t like Hanson for the music.” Casey snapped.

“Casey.” I said.

“What? You cannot sit there and pretend you’re not pissed about this Emily!”

I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes on him, saw him slide back some. “Shut up Casey. You said you wanted answers and he’s providing them. The snippy comments can wait or you can wait elsewhere.”

Robert sat wide eyed and Zac had even slid back some, I sat back and counted to ten in my head many times to calm back down.

“Did anyone in your family have any ideas that he liked the band for any reason?” I asked.

“I asked my younger cousins, they were born in 1990 and they loved the band, my sister was also a fan but she said the few times Uncle Ian had mentioned them was in reference to something she said. She commented on a song from 2003 and he said he’d seen it at work and was impressed with the commitment and the ability to stay true to themselves. Nothing beyond that and the other two didn’t really have much to do with him, dad was protective of us and we were hardly alone with him.”

Casey looked like he wanted to say something but he kept it to himself, Zac looked extremely uncomfortable.

“Did the FBI talk to you or everyone?”

“Your sister only talked to me that Friday. But, two other agents came Sunday and I provided them with the names of everyone, my parents were disappointed I was blaming him until I told them I watched him take them, that I knew he had them. I couldn’t deny that it was him.”

“Did you know Glen Franklin?” Casey asked.

“I’ve seen him with my uncle a few times before, thought he was a boyfriend because Uncle Ian likes them younger. I’m sorry! I wish I had known and if I’d seen your sketch before I would have! No one even showed it to me until Agent Stewart did. I didn’t know he was the same person. If I had I could have told you and stopped him.”

His tears seemed real and I couldn’t figure out why until I looked over at Casey, he looked pissed off. I knew Casey had always pretty much loved Zac, this wasn’t just a friend to him it was someone he loved very much. I could understand his anger and I could tell he was hurting because on some level I think he did love Robert as well and he was placing the blame on him.

“What can you tell us about him; just whatever you think could be relevant.”

“He’s a control freak and he loves for things to be pretty and spotless. He loves Math and he was an assistant professor in math at the college. He’s been there since he graduated college actually. He also loves history and he’s quite good at researching things. As a human being he’s pretty shitty, he didn’t really care what myself or my cousins did and he just was kind of a loner. He came around for holidays and that’s about it.”

“Is there anything he’s afraid of?”

“If he has a fear he has not told me or anyone I talked too. Aunt Karen spoke to the FBI for a longer period; she is the oldest and in charge since our grandparents died. She seemed to give them a lot of information and I imagine our parents kept it from us.”

“Would you have stopped him if you knew before?” Zac asked.

Robert looked at him and his facial expressions said he was serious. “Zachary if I had known who was stalking you, sending the messages, hurting Alexander, and you I would have told everyone. I don’t condone what my Uncle did, I don’t believe he was right and I certainly don’t believe using your family was right in any way for any reason.”

He turned to Casey with the same look. “I wouldn’t do anything that would hurt you Casey. I know you love them, I have known all along and I could see it that afternoon. You wanted them protected and I understand you’re pissed off with me. I understand your hurting because of what my Uncle did to them. I cannot change who he is, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him sooner.”

The room grew quiet after that as each of us kind of processed the information he’d given us, Casey seemed to still be pissed and Zac, well he just had this blank look.

“I don’t blame you but I do ask that you tell agents anything if it comes to mind, even if you feel it’s not relevant.”

“I carry their card around so I have the number, so if I see him I can call them.”

“That’s all I ask.” I said.

“I’m going to need time Robert, I can’t…He nearly killed my godson and my best friend right there and I just…”

“I understand. I know that none of you can simply forgive and forget. I wanted you to know my side and know I had nothing to do with
him.”

“I don’t blame you. But it doesn’t mean I will trust you anytime soon. I need to check on Alexander.” Zac said.

He was up and gone before I could even say anything, Jessica had Alexander and I was sure she was fine. She would have come to us if he wasn’t.

“I think I’m going to go too.” Casey said.

Again, he was gone from the room before I could object; perfect leave me alone with a man they don’t trust with their own safety. Robert sighed loudly and I looked at him.

“There never going to want me around now.”

“They will, it will just take time. Zac doesn’t really want me around right now.”

“I find that hard to believe, you are his wife.”

“Yeah, well. Ian pretty much wants me gone. I have news for him, I fought like hell to get him and I will not simply roll over and let him go.”

“I didn’t want to say anything around them but Uncle Ian talked a lot about BDSM and sexual stuff, he’s pretty into that.”

I smiled some. “I’m aware of that area, we don’t practice much but I am aware. I can’t tell you what to do Robert, but I would advise
you not call Zac. I will talk to Casey but I would wait until he calls you.”

“I understand. Are they really ok?”

“Casey was forced to listen to Ian hurt him, to hear how much he needed help but not be allowed to help. Physically there better, mentally they need time.”

He nodded. “What about you? You aren’t looking so well Emily.”

“I’m pregnant, it comes with the territory. Ian just wants me out of Zac’s life and he may have come very close because he keeps pulling away from me.”

Robert didn’t seem to like my answer, but what could he do? Not a damn thing. He finally got up.

“Take care of yourself Emily, tell them I am sorry but I will do whatever I have to do to help catch him. Uncle or not, he was wrong.”

I got up and let him out and then found Casey sitting in Isaac’s office, just sitting there so I walked in and sat down across from him.

“Talk to me, because I cannot handle if you and Zac both shut down on me. He already has.”

He looked up. “I want to blame him so badly. But, I know it’s not his fault. We talked about his family and I remember he told me Ian was a little weird but he was adamant even then he didn’t know much about him truly. Why didn’t I connect the names?”

“There are a lot of people that have the same name Casey, it doesn’t mean there all the same person.”

“We were so shocked when he called him Uncle, but he stood up for us and told him he was wrong. He got slapped for that and I don’t know where or why Zac resents him so much, but I think mine steams from what Ian told me.”

“He told you Robert killed your godson, you had no reason to doubt Ian, he was holding you hostage. I told Robert not to call either of you, but if you love him and think you can move past this, I encourage you to call him.”

“No. I can’t do that to Zac. If he hates Robert then there is no way for me to be with him. It would hurt Zac and you know I won’t do that.”

“I can’t make the choice for you, but I don’t think Zac hates him or even resents him.”

“Are you ok? You’ve been very quiet lately.”

I sat there a few minutes, lying to everyone else was easy. Lying to Casey wasn’t. “I wondered how Zac felt in 2010 when I shut down, I’m getting a pretty clear image on how he felt. Totally fucking helpless. You said Alexander and I would fix him, but Alexander worked his magic in less than a day. I can’t even get him to acknowledge me let along talk to me.”

He smiled. “He will talk to you; you just need to give him some time.”

“Ian did something and I don’t know what. I can’t figure it out and it’s…I can’t...”

He was about to speak when Isaac came rushing in and there was blood pouring from his nose and his shirt was already spotted and stained as well, he grabbed the tissue and apparently didn’t see us.

“Isaac? What happen?” I asked.

He took a moment. “Zac hit me.”

I found that very odd because generally Zac and Tay were the fighters, he and Ike were more words. Casey got up to help stop the bleeding and I got up to find Zac. Even his fights with Taylor weren’t like this. Jessica was coming up-stairs with Alexander, Stephanie and Henry. They all looked concerned and confused. I let them pass me and went on downstairs, Taylor was coming from the studio and he was bleeding from his nose and a busted lip, and he didn’t look ok.

“Taylor? Are you alright?”

“You don’t need to go in there Emily. If he hits you it could seriously hurt you and if he goes for the abdomen like he did me, he won’t ever forgive himself.”

“What happen?”

“No idea. He came in and he was fine and then he just flipped the fuck out and started throwing things. Isaac tried, got hit. I tried, got hit and dumbass me tried again. Jessica took Alexander away so he wouldn’t run to him.”

“Ok. I’ll check anyway just stay up-stairs.”

“Emily.”

“I will not leave him to just destroy the studio Taylor. We can’t replace everything because he won’t fucking open up to us. Go tend to your nose and lip, your bleeding badly.”

He walked past me and I watched him go up-stairs, I could hear things hitting other things at the studio door. I walked into the room fully aware of how strong he really is and what I was counting on was that he still loved me, that whatever Ian had done or said hadn’t changed his feelings for me. If he hit me now then Ian had actually won.

I caught one drum stick before it hit me, and the studio itself was pretty trashed. There were drumsticks everywhere, including several that were imbedded in the sheetrock, there was a symbol that was laying bent in half in the floor, the kit that was set up was unsaveable. Two guitars were broken and there was a third in his hand that was repeatedly slamming into the keys of the piano.

I had seen him angry before, but never like this. His entire face was red, he wasn’t paying any attention to what he was picking up or hitting, the most disturbing part was that he was going after the musical equipment and he was the first one to yell if someone was rough or had a drink without a coaster.  The guitar in his hand was demolished into nothing but splintered wood in minutes and I truly wondered if Taylor was right, was this entirely safe for me? Yet, if I stood by and did nothing he would destroy everything in the room.

“Zachary.” I said.

Another drumstick came my direction, I ducked and it missed me but that worried me. I stood there another few minutes if I left the room was I giving up? If I ran from the room did it mean that was me laying down and giving up? I took a deep breath, said a silent prayer and walked closer to him.

“Zachary!”

I used a deeper tone and for a split second I just knew I’d fucked up and he was going to hit me for being so stupid but he didn’t. Instead he just looked at me confused and just stood there.

“You shouldn’t be in here. It’s not safe for you. Why would you even…”

I measured my movements carefully, mindful that there were drumsticks and slippery items on the floor. I got closer to him and then ran my fingers across his cheeks, swiping away tears and sweat.

“Because I trust you, because I love you and I know you love me and you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Pregnant or not, I know you won’t hurt me Zachary.”

“You can’t be certain of that, I nearly did.”

“But you didn’t.” I was really hoping his statement was that I couldn’t be certain he wouldn’t hit me, if it wasn’t that…well, I didn’t want to think about that.

I smoothed my hand across his shoulders, which were shaking so badly and then I moved them down his arms, lowering them in the process. I could tell he was still very upset so I was taking a risk here. I got his hands and guided him to the only piece of furniture that was right side up, an old love seat that was to be tossed. He had followed without question and even sat down with me.

I began to gently and carefully smooth back his hair, just the right touch and the right pressure, I knew what worked and I knew how to do it even if it took longer than normal for his breathing to calm down and for the tenseness to begin to relax away.

“Do you want to tell me why you trashed the studio?”

“I was mad at Robert; I have no idea why though. But coming here was a mistake; I’m just not ready to be here.”

“I am sure they’ll understand.”

I moved him so he was laying on my shoulder and my arm was behind him, I continued to play with his hair, picking up several strands and smoothing them back. Realistically I never expected us to be in this position, where he was the one that needed the help and I was the one that felt so helpless because I didn’t know what he needed. Screaming at me had helped, but I doubted with him it would. Clearly he still liked when I played with his hair, I guess I’d have to figure out what worked and what didn’t. He remained laying there for a good twenty minutes.

“I should probably clean up and find whoever I hit, I don’t even know. God, it wasn’t Jess was it?”

“You hit Isaac and Taylor; the others were smart enough to leave you alone.”

“You’re here but you’re smart.”

I placed a soft kiss to his forehead. “I love you and I knew you wouldn’t hurt me. Regardless to what is running through your head, you would never do anything that hurt me.”

He mentioned cleaning up, but made no effort to move, so I made no effort to stop playing with his hair. I saw Casey come into the room and he looked at the destruction and looked stunned. The only things that escaped were a few guitars, amps, and the grand piano. Everything else was broken, torn, or impaled. He went to pluck a drumstick out and almost couldn’t. He crossed the room quietly and kneeled down in front of us.

“Isaac and Tay are ok, nothing is broken. Taylor apparently came back for seconds but the gut shot was enough for him to skedaddle. Are you ok now?”

Zac barely nodded, I was sure that the constant movement of his hair was making him drowsy, Casey nodded and began to pick up drumsticks and pieces. About ten minutes later Isaac came in and surveyed, looked stunned and then Taylor followed. I was afraid they would go off the deep end, but after a few glances they just began to clean up. I guess somewhere inside them they wanted too but they had no idea how he was feeling either and clearly it wasn’t anything good. Zac finally pulled away and got up to help them, I started to but he looked at me sternly and told me not to get up it was too dangerous. So, I sat there and watched then clean up. He was right; Taylor and Casey both nearly slipped on drum sticks and picks.

Once the studio was clean they took stock what needed to be replaced. Turned out that was three guitars, Taylor’s favorite keyboard, and his drum set. He then told them he wasn’t ready. I expected another explosion but they both hugged him and agreed with him, told him to take the time and they’d finish the member’s EP and then work on side projects. We left about four and went home; he went to what would be our music room. He had already moved everything out, covered the floor, and had repainted the main walls with an off-white color. I couldn’t be around the paint and Alexander was ok to stay with me but he did go up-stairs while I cooked.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent with him painting, Alexander playing, and me worrying about what would happen. What if he had meant was I certain he loved me? What would that mean for us? If he wasn’t certain he loved me still, then Ian really had done some major damage. Even worse is that I really had no one to even ask, Velma was gone and Casey wasn’t in the frame of mind to help me either.

Would we ever be normal again?!