She didn't put up much resistance as James carefully dodged them away and out of the tent town. It didn't take long and soon he led her to a tent and guided her inside.

"This is my place... for now.", his voice was still warm and carried some of the regret he felt.

Violet swallowed hard and calmed down. "I'm so sorry James... I didn't mean for any of this to happen but things got out of control... I really wanted this to work but then I forced it. I forced Jo to love me, I forced Jill to love... I even forced you to love me... I don't know how much of this is real or me manipulating everything. Back then I had no control - it was just pure desire and intuition. Once I realized what I've done I couldn't fix it anymore and Jo was slowly going crazy. She would've done something stupid if I hadn't left and I was the one who took you away from her - I destroyed your family, that's alone my fault because I'm selfish... I don't want that anymore and the only way was making a clean cut. Start over and don't repeat the mistakes I've made. It was then when I fell in love with Dan - during that time when I felt the doubts arise and recognised the damage I've done...", Violet wept quietly as she spoke. It was an odd experience - all the glamour and glitter was gone, he saw her raw and sober, down to the core.

James let Violet talk and cry and tried to provide what comfort he could without interrupting. Several things became apparent to him.

I do love her, and I want her back. With that as a goal, the way forward is obvious.

I seduce her, here & now. Screw her brains out. I want her and she wants me, I turn on the pheromones or however that works. Twenty people watched us go in, the screams would make it obvious what we're up to.

Dan either drops her or tries to kill me. Either works. He's a Marine, more skilled at killing, & a lot quicker than me, but it wouldn't make a difference. When you come right down to it he fixes cars and I juggle them.

I'd have to seriously apologize to JoAnna, but we'd already come up with something close to a workable solution and she'd be getting her sister back. That'd put us almost back to square one. I'd be getting Violet back. The only problem is...

The only problem is the most beautiful woman in the world is an emotional cripple who will sabotage our relationship again. Exactly like before.

:Sigh:

The only other choice is to try to cut away some of crap that Jennifer has built up and hope that when she gets her act together... No. Let's be realistic. If she ever gets her act together, then maybe we can get together again. But right here and right now, that's not going to happen.

James waited till Violet had recovered somewhat and reached into a cooler and got out a pair of cold Sprites and gave her one. He'd found the working refrigerator with them the day V had broken up with him, in a way this was continuing from then.

James debated how to start this then said softly, "Violet I love you, and I forgive you. Yes, you used your powers to make me and the girls love you, but I knew that at the time. I didn't care about it then and I don't care about it now. Love is more than an emotion, it's also a decision. I made my decisions, I'll live with them."

"But there are some things that need to be said. I'm not sure if you're ready, but you need to hear them anyway."

"Let's talk about Jo for a moment. A few days after she found herself with me all to herself, she and I had a heart to heart talk. We decided the only way our relationship can work was if we recruit other women to join us. She's looking forward to having some sisters again."

James paused to let that sink in and see how V was reacting.

Violet nodded at James thankful for his calm and warm words. She offered to talk and if she was serious about it she had to give him some space - some room to vent and explain his side of the story.

Then he mentioned JoAnna and Violet felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. "Jo?", her voice was faint and almost broken. She's the reason I did this in the first place... I saw how it made her sick, how she was drowning her feelings in alcohol...

"So you talked?", it was difficult for her to hide what she felt about this. There was a good deal of worry but also some repressed anger or frustration.

"Jo can't stand being number 2, James. She's ok with that arrangement as long as you are hers and she is your number one lover and not...", she didn't dare finish what was on her mind. This wasn't the right place nor time to call names or make accusations.

"I hope it's going to work out this time James, I really do for the both of you. You're both in my heart and you did... rescue me somehow but 'our' family arrangement wasn't working out and I'm the number one reason why.", her eyes looked passed him unfocused and dreamy. Violet had become even more beautiful and enticing since they broke up. Her breasts were clearly outlined by the tight fitting top she wore, her midriff was partially exposed and the military pants she wore hugged her hips smoothly showing off her bubbly ass. It was oh so tempting...

And that's not the end of the story, James... We must'nt be together ever. We'd destroy the refuge - the whole community would go nuts because of us and you..., her eyes suddenly focused again as she stared directly into his'

You're a good man but you're not good for me... You're feeding the part of me I'm trying to get under control - you're the drug I need to get away from or I'll never be free. There was so much on her mind, so much that remained unspoken but one thing was for sure, she seemed determined enough to resist his attempt to seduce her. That was a definite change, something he hadn't experienced or expected before.

James wondered, How does she make military clothes look like an X-rated outfit? Body English says she's playing hard to get... which for her probably means she'd take some small amount of convincing.

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Better. Not perfect but better. She still smells great...

James sat down and with his eyes still closed, looked away from Violet. He said neutrally and in what he hoped wasn't an accusatory voice, "Violet... I think this is where we're supposed to have a fight about what Jo wanted. She'd be offended to hear you did this for her, especially since you clearly didn't speak to her any more than you did me. For the record, Jo thought there were problems but they were deal-able. Worse, she thought we'd already dealt with them."

"But that's off topic. All the other reasons you've tossed out for leaving are also off topic. If we looked closely at them they wouldn't make much sense either. They're symptoms of what was going on, but they're not the root problem."

It's time.

James opened his eyes and turned back to face Violet. He said, "Let me tell you what I see. I see a beautiful, wonderful woman who is amazing in every way. You're lovely, loving, and lovable. I've told you that before, but even that is part of the problem."

James paused then said brutally, "There is no such person as Violet. She doesn't exist, there's only Jennifer. And Jennifer doesn't think she's pretty, or lovable, or deserving of love. Jennifer is also dis-associative." It's funny what you learn when you date a shrink... "Meaning she lies to herself about what's going on so she doesn't need to take responsibility."

James stood up and flexed a massive bicep, "Lets look at James. James is a big, brutal, power house super who has multiple live-in girlfriends. If you need someone for a dysfunctional relationship, someone who can emotionally and physically abuse a super strong woman, that'd be the guy to pick."

James stopped flexing and said seriously, "But that only works at first glance. James refused to abuse Jennifer. Worse, he refused to let Violet abuse Jennifer, and he fell in love with both of them. That's a serious problem and an untenable situation. So boom, you destroy the relationship and go looking for someone else... and find Dan."

"Who is also able to physically abuse Violet, and who is also living with another woman already. That's why Jill isn't enough, she's too safe. She's not a physical or emotional threat. Dan is though. That's also why Primal was so attractive."

"Dan is ice cold, so much so that he hasn't moved in with you yet. But eventually he'll fall in love with you too, and right after he convinces you, you'll walk away from that relationship too and go looking for someone else."

James ended his rant breathing hard. He'd said what needed to be said, but he wasn't sure why. Love? Something else?

James' words hit her like a truck - each sentence striking her and making her flinch as he kept telling one truth after the next. Violet felt like slipping away - she wanted to run, to flee and never look back but that wasn't possible.

No... no, please no. Not again... I mustn't!, she closed her eyes then shut her ears with her hands. "NO!", she screamed finally relieving herself from some of the pressure that was constricting her chest and making it hard to breath.

"James...", she quietly sobbed, "Please stop... stop... don't", she whimpered, almost begged. "Don't do this..."

He was right and so wrong on so many levels but it was impossible for her to put it into words. She looked up to him her eyes full of tears her face endlessly sad and yet beautiful like never before. Violet struggled to stay in control, she didn't want to change back to Jennifer. She somehow had to be strong enough to endure this and maybe she'd be stronger afterwards.

James finally looked away from Violet and let their words hang on the air. Great. You hurt her. Maybe as much as she hurt you. Was that what you wanted? ...no. This didn't feel good, not like fighting with Dan did. But someone had to do it.

James added quietly and tiredly, "Jennifer, you need help. You hear 'You're beautiful Violet' as 'Jennifer is ugly', and 'I love you Violet' as 'Jennifer is unlovable'. I don't know what to do and I don't trust my judgment. I'm too involved. I still love you. But I don't trust you not to wreck things because you feel that's what you deserve."

James sighed and closed his eyes again. God I'm tired. And outside the tent we have a crowd gathering? Female voice yelling 'no' and 'please stop'? Security will show up soon. Good for them, I think we've both had about enough.

James wasn't pushing it and the pressure slowly vented into nothingness leaving him and her exhausted and tired. They never really spoke about it and she never tried to "fix it" when there was still a chance to. What James didn't know was that she perceived things differently, especially since she could tell what someone felt about something even if he told you the exact opposite. People are liars... most of the time. They don't like to share what they truly feel, they keep a healthy distance to stay safe... even James was doing it right now. It wasn't important if it was a conscious decision or happening on a subconscious level - for Violet both was just as real and palpable.

Sobered up a little and relieved that she was regaining control of herself she looked up to James and nodded sadly, "I know, James... I'm trying to change but I can't... just turn a switch and it's ok. I want to be free of this one day... I really do but I can't do it with you. You represent so much of...", she sighed exhausted.

"I just can't... ok?", she hoped he accepted this even if he didn't understand or didn't want to understand but she couldn't give him more even if she still loved him.

James said quietly, "Jennifer..." James paused a long time.

Nothing left to say. This is goodbye, maybe for years, maybe forever. We might be friends but we're not going to be lovers.

"...take care. One request though. The break up hit Jo pretty hard too, so please don't say you did it for her. Her first words were, 'I thought things were going well. I thought we'd worked things out so that we could co-exist.'"

She lied, was her first thought but James probably didn't want to hear that and it wasn't really important right now. Violet swallowed hard but the knot in her throat was slowly dissolving, as did the pain.

"I... won't tell anything, James. Only that I'm sorry - I really am... could you... could you please take me back? Home?", Violet knew that word alone would hurt him but how else could she ask him? Right now she didn't feel like it was a good idea to go alone...

Home. Her home, not mine. Of course while it's a woman's shelter it's not Dan's either. But then Dan is only where I was a few months ago... and I'm not going back there again unless it's kicking and screaming. Sigh. I envy and pity him, but never again.

James finished his pop and replied, "Sure."

James and Violet walked out of his tent both looking like they'd just lost a child. The crowd around the tent was all male, their expectant look turned to disappointment and they melted away.