To Depths Unknown 4&5

by Leslie

"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 4

Kendall awoke to Jensen's cries. It took her a minute to remember where she was and get her bearings. After soothing Jensen and getting them both something to drink, Kendall began to plan her day.

"First order of business is to find us somewhere to live," she said matter-of-factly to Jensen, who just babbled a little as she drank her juice. Kendall laughed at the absurdity of discussing her plans with a one year old, even though Jensen seemed engrossed in the conversation. She felt sometimes as if Jensen were the only person who would listen to her. Truth be known, she was probably right.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door. She let out a long sigh. She really wasn't ready for company, and was in no way presentable! She reached the door and asked, "Who is it?"

A squeaky voice replied, "It's V, Mr. Jacks' assistant. I've brought you a few things."

"Arrggghhh!" Kendall uttered in a low growl. I'm still pre-coffee. I'm not ready for this yet!, she thought to herself. She reluctantly opened the door, and in burst V, arms full of groceries and flowers.

"Good morning, Ms. Madisson. Did you sleep ok?" she never even gave Kendall a chance to respond before she continued, "I've brought you some things to stock your pantry." As she talked, she took various items out of the bag and began putting them away in the kitchen, "Bread, cheese, fruit, milk, juice, bagels, cream cheese . . ."

"V," interrupted Kendall, "It's okay, I'll look at it later." Thank goodness she finally stopped talking, she thought.

"Oh, one more thing. Mr. Jacks suggested I pick up some fresh flowers. He likes to keep them in his penthouse and thought you might enjoy the same," V said as she located a vase, filled it with water and put the flowers on the kitchen table.

"That's very thoughtful. They're beautiful." Kendall said smiling. "Please tell him I said 'Thank you' for the flowers as well as the food." It had been a long time since anyone at all had given her fresh flowers.

"Of course," said V, "I'll tell him as soon as I see him. He told me not to stay too long, so I guess I'd better be going." Handing Kendall a piece of paper, V explained, "These are the phone numbers where either Jax or I can be reached. I've also written down the phone number here so that you can be reached by friends, family, whoever, as well as the address so you can have your mail forwarded. And I've taken the liberty of jotting down the names of several local real estate agents to help you look for a new home."

Taking the paper from her hand, Kendall thanked her for going to all that trouble, and then, V left. V was nothing if not efficient.

Kendall spent the rest of the morning readying she and Jensen for a day of house hunting. Jensen had been uncharacteristically fussy that morning, and it had been quite a task to just get her fed. As she went to change Jensen's clothes, she noticed little blotches on her chest. Upon further examination, she discovered the spots spread all the way to her back and on her upper arms and legs.

"Chicken pox!" Kendall exclaimed. "Oh, Jensen, my sweet baby girl," said Kendall as she pulled her daughter to her chest and rocked her gently.

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"To Depths Unknown"

Chapter 5

The phone rang several times before V was able to get to it, "Good morning. J&J Jacks of Alaska."

"V? Hi, this is Kendall Madisson."

"Yes, Ms. Madisson, what can I do for you?"

"It appears that Jensen has chicken pox. I need to get her to a doctor, but obviously I don't know any. Can you help me?"

"Of course. Let me make a few calls and then I'll get back with you once I have you an appointment."

^^^^^^

The doctor had confirmed Kendall's fears, but had reassured her that Jensen would be fine. He sent her home with instructions on how to deal with it and, much to her dismay, quarantined them for the next week to 10 days.

A quick stop at the drugstore and they headed home. Kendall could think of little else but relieving Jensen's discomfort. She had bought 2 bottles each of 3 different kinds of calamine lotion, 3 boxes of the oatmeal bath the doctor had recommended, and some pain reliever. Surely this would take care of all the possibilities, she thought.

Jensen slept quietly for the next few hours, probably due to the Children's Tylenol. V had offerred to come and help Kendall, but she hadn't had the chicken pox as a child and didn't want to risk getting infected. But Kendall didn't mind. She had her hands full with Jensen and decided V's ramblings would just frazzle her more.

It was a little past 3:00 that afternoon when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it to find Jax standing there with a bouquet of balloons, a huge teddy bear, and a bagful of Chinese takeout. It was really quite a sight!

"Mr. Jacks. Hi. What's all this?

"First of all, you can call me 'Jax'. And, secondly, I heard about Jensen and thought this might cheer her up a little. Oh, and, last but not least, I figured you missed lunch with all the excitement and thought you might be getting a little hungry!"

"That really wasn't necessary. But, you're right. It will cheer her up. And, yes, I did miss lunch and am starving! Oh, and thank you! First the flowers and groceries this morning and now all this --- my, but your a gracious host!" she smiled a beautiful smile. Jax liked that he had pleased her.

"Well, you're not such a gracious hostess," he returned. "Are you going to invite me in or leave me standing out here in the hall like a rejected delivery boy?"

Kendall laughed, but then got serious, "You know we're under quarantine, don't you?"

"Yes. V was overflowing with details! She even went so far as to make me call Lady Jane to confirm the fact that I indeed had the chicken pox. So, I'm all clear! Now, may I come in?"

"Of course you can. Just keep your voice down, Jensen's still sleeping. Can I get you something to drink?"

Jensen's sudden, shrill cries sent them both running towards the bedroom. She was flushed from the fever and the splotches were spreading up her neck and onto her face.

Kendall scooped her up, "Oh, baby girl, you're burning up!" She looked up at Jax and said, "As long as you're here, would you help me give her some medicine?"

"Sure. Just tell me what to do."

"Here," she said handing over Jensen to an uncertain Jax, "hold her for a minute while I go get her something to help reduce her fever." And, with that, Kendall left the room to go get it.

Jax found himself in a predictament he hadn't been in before. He had no idea what to do! But Jensen made it easy. She just looked at him, as if trying to figure him out, and then trustingly laid her fevered head on his shoulder.

That was easy, Jax thought.

Kendall quickly returned with the medicine and admistered another 4 hour dose. "This should help you feel better, sweetie," she said very softly.

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