When Sarah returned, cases of liquor were stacked by the door. Obviously, Jackson had called for a delivery. She shook her head and asked Connor, "Have you seen him?"
"Just long enough for him to grab one of those." He pointed at the liquor. "How'd it go with Elisabeth?"
"She's in pretty bad shape."
Connor embraced her. "You can't fix this for them. They have to do it themselves."
"I know. I just wish I could convince him to talk to her."
"Give him some time."
"Would you mind if I went up and sat with him?"
"No, not at all. Maybe I'll go into the office for a while."
"I'll see you later."
Connor kissed her gently. "Try not to worry too much."
Squeezing blood from a bag, Sarah noticed none had been taken from the bottles. This meant Jackson hadn't fed in 24 hours. She opened a bottle and poured a glass for him.
She found him sitting up in bed staring at the blood-spattered wall. "I see we've switched to bourbon." A case sat by the door and he drank from a bottle.
"Yes, spice of life and all."
She handed him the blood. "I thought you could use this, unless you're trying to starve yourself."
"Thanks."
Sarah lay on the bed beside him and put her head on his chest. "You smell."
"I know." He still had on the same clothes he wore with Elisabeth. They remained quiet while Jackson drank the blood.
Sarah sighed and tilted her head up to him. "You are so much better at this than me."
"Better at what?"
"Comforting someone who is hurting."
"No I'm not, I've just had a lot more practice." They both chuckled.
Sarah could see the rage had left. It had been replaced with profound. "You know, if you want to hunt, I could play wingman for you."
He pulled back, surprised. "You'd do that?"
"If you'd like."
"What about Skippy?"
"He'll understand."
"Thank you. That means a lot to me, I don't feel much like hunting though."
"So, what is your plan then?"
"I plan to put a huge dent in that case of bourbon."
"I mean long term."
"Well, I thought maybe I would wait until the next full moon, then find Elisabeth and let her rip out what's left of my guts. How's that sound?"
"That sounds awful!"
"I'm kidding."
"Well, it's not funny."
"Sorry." He pulled her closer.
Sarah held his hand. "I went to see Elisabeth today."
"What? Are you crazy?" He pushed her away, and stood.
"Calm down. I needed to get some answers from her."
"Jesus Sarah, why would you do that without asking me?"