Midnight Angel [Jenlisa FF]

~'~'~ Chapter 26 ~'~'~

The only thing that had dismayed Lisa about the whole meeting was that the FBI had not been able to tell her anything about what they planned to do. she was guessing that was because they didn't know. All she'd been told was that they were still gathering the facts before they put any type of plan into action. her one request to them was that she, Jennie, and her friends be kept updated, especially if the agents thought there was going to be any danger to Jennie, or given their involvement, any of them.

Once the meeting was over, they had all gone to lunch at a restaurant Lisa was familiar with from her time living in LA. Throughout the meal, Jennie was solemn, seemingly lost in the memories the session with the FBI had brought back to the forefront. After seeing her so happy the day before, Lisa hated the frown that now marred her features. Wanting to lighten the mood any way possible, Lisa had suggested that they go back to Santa Monica for the afternoon with Jisoo, Jackson and Jin to show them the sights. The idea had brightened Jennie somewhat, so her friends – their friends, she supposed she should call them – had agreed.

The hours they spent wandering the shops and playing in the arcade improved morale to a certain point, but all of them were distracted by their tense situation. Still, they had fun and a smile had returned to Jennie's face, even if it was only a mild one compared to the one from the last time they'd been in Santa Monica. It had also given Jennie a chance to interact with her high school friends in a more normal situation. Lisa had enjoyed seeing their camaraderie. she'd never really had anything like that since her school years were spent with tutors while on the road with her archaeologist father.

Eventually, the hour had grown later, and sunset drew near. They'd parted ways with Jisoo, Jackson and Jin and climbed in Lisa's car to head back to Cambria. As much as she would have liked to keep the semi-vacation going, they needed to go back. she needed to return to work tomorrow.

So now they were almost back to her house, back to a place where Jennie had to blend into the shadows and act as if she didn't exist. she glanced over at her to see that she was still staring out the window. It wasn't until that moment Lisa realized this was probably the first time in four years, she was really getting to see any of Cambria. On the way to LA, she'd kept herself hidden in the car, but since it was dark now, they hadn't bothered with that detail though she did have her mask on.

"You, okay?" she asked, making sure to keep one eye on the road.

"Yeah." She was silent for a moment, then said, "I wish we could have stayed in LA."

"I know," Lisa sighed, hating her weary tone. "You'll be able to go back soon or go anywhere you want to go."

Jennie turned to face Lisa; her features mostly hidden in the dark car. "Do you really think so?"

"The FBI believed you, Jennie. They'll be able to get the truth out and take Sonner and his cronies down." she hoped that was true.

"But what if they can't? What if the rest of my life will be like this?" The thought of never being free scared Jennie more than she could put into words. She didn't want to have to spend the rest of her years never leaving the house. It was sucking the life out of her.

"I wish there was some kind of promise I could give you, but we just have to believe that the FBI knows what they are doing." It was a weak offer of comfort, but unfortunately, it was the best she could do given the circumstances.

Silence returned to the car, conversation soothing neither of them. Within minutes, Lisa turned into her driveway. her mild relief at being back at her house lasted for only few seconds as she soon caught sight of a car in her driveway. She thought she recognized it, but she wasn't sure.

"Someone's here," Lisa stated, though she realized Jennie had already noticed by the tension suddenly radiating off her body.

"It's my father's car," she said dully.