Scene - Lesson Learned: Part 2 - Ren

Henrietta sat as if in trance on the couch, facing McKay.

"He has her.  Card has been placed, and they're in the car on the way here."

His brows rose. "She's gonna kick my ass for this."

She cracked a smile, but her eyes were still glazed.

"You aren't seeing the show he's putting on for the cameras. She's going to kick us both into the next county."

His brow lifted. "That fucker hurts her..."

She quirked a brow.

"He's only touched her, and with quite a bit of restraint. It's all show, to make Sam believe just how much worse is coming her way once that car gets where it's going."

He frowned. "Yeah. I get it. I just remember Himmler from back in tha day. I ain't really a fan."

"Neither am I, but he serves our purposes for this lesson. And he knows what I can and will do to him if he hurts her."

He nodded. "I trust ya. Don't trust him."

She smiled.

"And that is why he is fully aware that I am watching everything that he does."

He nodded again. "Good."

He led her toward the door. Then smiled gently and gave her a rather formal bow.

"I bid you goodnight, dear."

She didn't move. Simply stood on the door step...waiting.

The door opened. He smiled. "Come on inside sweetheart."

He turned on military heel to go back to his car. Then he got inside and pulled away from the driveway. Still whistling his merry little song.

Henrietta stood, finally dropping her trance. And she waited for Ren to come inside.

Ren stepped inside, then moved to the side so the door could be closed. She didn't move, she didn't speak. She didn't trust a damn thing that was going on.

He closed the door. Then turned to Ren. He frowned. "Ya all right sweetheart? He didn't hurt ya did he?"

Her head shook just the slightest bit. The look in her eyes was void of any emotion. The only sign that she was feeling anything was clenching of her fists.

He stepped closer. Reached out a hand to her shoulder. "Go 'head an' hit me. I deserve it for that one."

Just another slight shake of her head.

He pulled her close. Wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry." He whispered it to her. "S'okay. You're safe. Nobody's gonna hurt ya." He kissed the top of her head. "It's okay sweetheart. You're safe."

Henrietta stepped forward towards the girl.

"I had my eye on you the entire time. And really, you can hit us. We deserve it."

She was so very still. Not even a tremble as she was pulled into his arms.

He pulled away. Tilted her head up. Looked her in the eye. "Come on sweetheart. Talk ta me. You're safe. He ain't comin' back." He rubbed her back with the other hand. Brushed hair out of her face. "I'm sorry. Talk ta me."

Her usually playful and innocent gaze was distant. She had the look of someone who was going to check out and let the body deal with whatever would come.