#ledgerjackson

Amelia: I just saw the news.

it's entirely too easy to wear yourself out when you're running around after a kid, but natalia wouldn't have it any other way. with no kids of her own - and no partner, no kids in the near future - it is somewhat of a blessing to be allowed to babysit for parents that live in the area. though she doesn't always have the time with her full time job, she lives for the opportunity to spend an afternoon with a house that is filled with more laughter and light than cats and dogs for once. this is interrupted by a knock on the door - or maybe not.

"ledger!" she exclaims upon opening the door. "welcome, welcome. come in - ro' is in the bathroom, should be done soon i suppose. but while i've got you here-" she leads him to the kitchen, presenting the dinner that she has just pulled from the oven. "it's vegan so i understand completely if that isn't your thing, but it's free and hot and ready to go. plus i may have let rowan - very carefully! - stuff some of the shells. she washed her hands three times, i promise. minimal germs."

Ledger 📲 Can you come get me? Claymore’s

Julia hadn’t know who else to text at this point and it was the first time she had to in a long time. Maybe Nathaniel would have been a better choice - he got her and there was no shame with their coping mechanisms. Maybe Archer but she didn’t want him to see her in this condition. And her friends? Her family? They had been here before and she didn’t want them to witness this again. 

So it was Ledger - who hadn’t been here five years ago to see her destruction after her parents’ death. 

Julia leaned against Claymore’s brick wall , letting it keep her still because her head was doing a shit job at it. It was almost curfew time which was a relief because otherwise, Julia would have probably been in worse condition as the night progressed. She wanted to hurl - that last shot had been a bad idea. It was only reason she needed someone - she wouldn’t make it home when she couldn't even walk home - and there’s a killer out there, That too. 

Pathetic I mean you’re more pathetic than Heather.. the local train wreck

“Ugh” She groaned, sliding down the wall until she was on the ground, knees pressed to her chest as she rested her head between them. Syd’s words played over in her mind like a broken record and it was probably one of the reasons she had gotten so drunk in the first place. His mental torment along with her still heavy grief and guilt did nothing to keep her sober. 

Julia only lifted her head when she heard footstep but she didn’t even really greet her friend because the world spun again and she found she needed to put her head down again. “I don’t need or want a lecture, okay?” The words weren’t harsh - mostly just pleading. 

Amelia was hanging off Ledger’s bed, half of her body on it and the other was dangling upside down. Her russet eyes followed her person as he walked around his RV. They had a shift together at Quick Fix and with the looming death sentence over her head, they had opted to go together. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Mel prodded again - it was something she normally didn’t do. Ledger came to her when he was ready but ever since he was made to be suspect #1 - thanks to her - Amelia constantly felt bad. 

It was worse after he had guilt tripped her into keep her mouth shut and not telling the truth so that he would be cleared. ‘I gave up four years of Rowan's life to take the fall for you, you are not allowed to turn yourself in.’  Mel was still pissed at him for it but she couldn’t go against him after that. Letting herself slide off the bed and onto the floor, she got up and approached him. “If you don’t hurry up, we’re gonna be late.” She nudged him, grinning up at him. It reminded her of their routine at times in Las Vegas and for a few seconds, life felt a little normal. 

Amelia had tossed and turned all night. 

Ledger Jackson imprisoned for actual murder charges.

They hadn’t be his - and that killed Amelia because he was still having to live with the consequences of her mistake. Ledger always said he didn’t mind, but Mel did. She was thankful with all her life to Ledger for all he had done for her, even after she had finally come forward. But this couldn’t go on. 

Her mind traveled to the panic attack he had on Wednesday....

Below the cut is a brief scene portraying the same possible symptoms of a panic attack. Please read at your own risk  (it’s just the first paragraph)