Wedding Bells Part 2: The Reception

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

The song came to an end and Emily gave Auri a hug before speaking. "Thank you for the dance, Auri." She took the girl by the hand and led her back to her mother.

A commotion had started - not a fight, but a fleeing of the Dominion in their midst. Jay was making his way out of the hall, clearly upset at something. It wasn't much more than some pushing of shoulders, but it was enough to draw the attention of those in the hall. Emily's eyes went to Jared, who had stared at his friend's exodus with a look of growing concern on his face. Jared hadn't expected this. A moment passed before everyone seemed to go back to normal as things usually happen in this situation. There was always some sort of drama and it would be recognized and filed away by most, but Jared kept staring.

Emily worked her way towards him, noting Rachel and Kiriena were nearby. Jared's eyes hadn't moved from the door which Jay had exited from. Emily had met Jay today, and even though she had neglected to say anything when they had, Jared had spoken of his friend and brother in-ams. He had always spoken very highly of Jay. That was enough for Emily.

"Is he okay?" Emily asked, knowing the answer.

Jared shook his head as if coming out of a daze. "No, he is not."

Jared turned to face her, and she could see the hurt in his eyes. Not hurt at Jay's departure, but hurt at his brother's pain. She saw his concern and knew she felt it too. Emily moved closer and wrapped her husband in a hug, pulling him tight. He reciprocated, clinging with a desperate need. Emily knew what Jared wanted to do, and knew that internally he was struggling with what should have been an easy decision. She knew what she had to do. She could not be selfish.

"Go to him," she whispered into his ear.

A moment passed. "You sure?"

She kissed his cheek. "Leave no man behind," she whispered back. Emily had married a soldier, and tonight her soldier had been called to fight. To fight for his brother.

Jared loosened his hold to look at her before giving her a kiss. "Thank you," was all he said. It was all he needed to say. He looked at her, took her hands, kissed her once again before turning to follow Jay out. As Jared had before, her eyes stayed on him until he exited.

[Jared Vanders]

Something was wrong. The look in Jay's eyes before he left lingered in Jared's mind. There were ghosts behind those eyes. Jay wasn't just hurting. Jay was in a crisis situation. They had both seen some shit in Sierra Leone, and Jay was a Dominion now. He had probably seen more shit since then, and he wasn't coping well. That was clear enough. Jared watched as Jay left, his eyes the only thing moving as Jay opened the door and walked out.

Everything in Jared longed to follow, longed to do something, but he remained frozen, glued to the spot on the floor. His eyes stared at the spot, unsure of how to proceed. He was no therapist. What could he say to help. Probably nothing. But he couldn't just stay. He couldn't do nothing while Jay was like this. But he had to stay here. This was his wedding.

Emily came to him and spoke softly, breaking him out of his thoughts. Jared could see the concern in her eyes as well. Emily had a good heart. Jared had known many brides that would have been upset at Jay's departure, but her eyes only showed compassion. She wrapped him in a hug and he held her tightly, finding comfort in her embrace.

"Go to him," Emily spoke the words Jared needed to hear, but still his feet felt glued to the ground. When he asked for clarification she only told him. "Leave no man behind."

The words hit home as his soldier's instincts kicked in. The reason he had felt compelled to follow Jay as he left. Emily had known what Jay had meant to him, and she had read his departure as one of crisis or, more than likely, had just trusted Jared's instincts on this. He thanked her with a kiss and headed in the direction Jay had left if more carefully than his colleague.

Jay hadn't left the grounds, and Jared found him fairly quickly, sitting next to a wall, and Jared, in his wedding tuxedo, sat down right next to him. For a time there was silence. Jared didn't want to push. He felt pushing wouldn't help. Instead he was present. He was also unsure of what to say.

Eventually Jared would break the silence, opting for the truth. "I'm unsure of what to say, but if you want to talk, cry, vent, or just sit in silence, I'm here. Whatever you need." Jared left it at that, unsure if there was more he could do.

[Kiriena]

Kiriena did her shot with Rachel, but then things changed fast. Whatever was wrong with Jay came to a head, and he left. Kiriena had sensed it from him, and hoping Jared could help, had turned Jay over to him with no reservations. But it hadn't helped. Kiriena looked to Jared, and saw the hurt and concern in his eyes.

A white figure moved through the crowd. Emily had noticed and went to her husband. They spoke quietly and Kiriena turned aside to make sure she wasn't eavesdropping. A few moments later Jared followed Jay outside. Rachel moved next to her, going to her sister. They spoke in hushed tones before Rachel came back and gave Kiriena a hug. "I'm going to have a dance with Em. Catch you after that?"

Kiriena smiled but shook her head. "I think it's about time for me to head out. Busy day tomorrow."

Rachel, who had not let go of the hug, hugged her tighter. "Of course. I understand. So good to see you! Make sure you say goodbye to Emily too!"

The pair bid their goodbyes and Rachel moved backed towards the head table with some purpose. Kiriena turned to the bride who was still nearby. "Hey, Emilly. I think it's time for me to head out. Congratulations to you and Jared. I had a great time.

Emily smiled broadly and gave Kiriena a hug. "Thank you so much for being here on my special day, Kiri. I'm glad you had a good time."

Kiriena returned the hug and headed out, taking a different exit than Jay. She wanted to know how Jay was doing, but felt bad about possibly interrupting a discussion between him and Jared. She hoped he would be okay.

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel watched as the Dominion left.  He was clearly upset.  Rachel stared at her drink for a moment, feeling guilty.  She didn't know what was wrong, but it was clearly something bad, and here she was upset to the point of deciding to get drunk because her boyfriend couldn't spend the night with her.  The look on her brother-in-law's face told all.  Rachel's disappointment was justified, but her reaction to it was petty, and she knew better.

Rachel watched as Emily came to Jared and they spoke. Rachel couldn't hear the words, but knew the pair well enough to guess.  Jared wanted to help his friend and couldn't do it unless Em gave him the go to leave the reception for a bit to do so which apparently happened because after a kiss, Jared moved to follow his friend.  Rachel stepped out of his way, and went to her sister.

"It's bad isn't it," Rachel said quietly.

"I don't know - but Jared thinks so," Emily's eyes stayed fixed on the door, and when they turned to Rachel, Emily smiled. "He has his mission, and I have mine.  I need your help.  Time for that dance."

Rachel nodded.  She understood.  The show must go on as it were. "I get it.  I have something to do first - meet you on the dance floor.

Rachel went to Kiriena, and when the other woman decided to head out, she bid her farewell. Rachel then moved to her spot at the head table and grabbed her purse, finding her wallet inside.  As a therapy grad student, Rachel had spent a lot of time with professional therapists, asking questions and trying to learn as much as she could.  She had several digital business cards in her wallet.  She didn't know much of the Dominion, but she had guessed that he was one of Jared's combat buddies. She picked a card for a therapist that did work with grief counseling and PTSD.  It was a guess, but Rachel felt it was a good one.

Jared, I hope your friend ends up being okay.  If he is amenable to it, I've attached a business card for one of my therapy contacts.  Sending you and your friend all the love.

Rachel put her wallet back and found Emily right as another slow song began.  The two sisters began to dance and sway. "How are you feeling?" Emily asked.

Rachel cringed a little. "Disappointed and a little guilty. I was gonna drown myself in booze because of Cruz leaving, but with Jared's friend...it just seems...petty. I'm cutting myself off for the night."

Emily gave Rachel a smile. "That's a mature response." The smile was supposed to be reassuring, but Rachel didn't feel so much better.  She had really been looking forward to spending time with Cruz, but she figured even with other things going on, she had the right to be disappointed in the circumstances. "What was it you did - before you came to dance.?

"Sent Jared the card of one of my therapist contacts.  Just in case."

Emily pulled Rachel closer and their dance became a swaying hug. "That was very kind of you.  I'm sure Jared will appreciate that."

Their hug remained. "I can't believe you're married, Em!" Rachel said moments later.

Emily Laughed and pulled away a bit so she could look at her sister. "I can't believe it either."

Rachel smiled. "Love you sis.  I'm so happy for you!"

"I love you too.  And I'm very proud of you." Rachel wrapped her sister in a hug again.  Those words meant so much to her at that moment.