JP - When Pirates of the Caribbean just doesn't help

Ami was feeling really down as she got out of the car and headed for the cabin.

The twins automatically noticed and smelled how down Ami was and ran over to her, pulling her into a tight group hug to remind her she was loved.

Ami hugged the twins, tears quietly running down her cheeks.

“Want to watch movies?” Lotus asked.

“We can watch your favorite.” Leon added.

"Pirates of the Caribbean?" Ami asked hopefully.

Both twins nodded and pulled her to the back room that was made into a small theater to watch the movies.

Klaire watched them go and talked to James about everything going on with Cody and Ami.

Ami settled on the couch with the twins and watched the movie, though her mind kept going back to Tzeitel.

The twins would do their best to help distract Ami, pointing out all the fun and best parts of the movie, cheering for the pirates and the crazy antics. Five year olds were easily entertained, but these two really wanted to cheer up Ami.

Poor Ami could not enjoy it, or get distracted. She was worried about her sister.

Lotus whimpered. “Ami, what’s wrong?” She asked.

“How can we help?” Leon asked.

“I don’t know. I can’t even help Tzeitel.” Ami said unhappily.

“Uhm…maybe we can make her something?” Leon suggested.

“What does she like?!” Lotus added. “We could make her something she likes!”

“Alcohol.” Ami said, her shoulders hunching.

Both twins went quiet, frowning. They did not like the sounds of that.

“I don’t know what to do. She’s drinking or exercising until she hurts herself.” Ami said.

“Mama says that’s a bad thing to do…” Lotus replied, her brother nodding in agreement. “It’s…un…uhm…unhealthy! Yeah, unhealthy!”

“I know.” Ami said, hugging her knees to her chest.

Leon and Lotus hugged Ami again, whimpering with worry for her and Tzeitel. They loved their God mother, but they knew something was up.

Klaire walked into the room and sat down with them all, smiling softly. “It’s going to be okay, kids…” She said as James stepped in with a tray. Mugs of hot chocolate sat on it and he offered them to Ami and the kids. It was odd, the twins were showing immunity to the effects of chocolate, but he and Klaire were still cautious. It had more milk than chocolate…

Ami sipped on the hot chocolate, still sniffling unhappily. The last time she had been separated from Tzeitel this long she had been taken captive by MegaCorp.

James sighed heavily and looked at Ami as he sat down. “Talk to us, Ami…what’s on your mind.” He said softly.

“Tzeitel.” Ami said softly.

“Look, Ami, I know she’s been…kind of off the rails lately, but you’re at the age she got sold to MegaCorp if I remember correctly. It’s kind of…messing with her, I think.” James explained. “Give her time and some proper help. I’m sure she’ll come back and get back to herself in time. We all just have to be patient and understanding.”

Ami looked at James. “Doesn’t she hate you?”

“Yeah, for things I didn’t do…” James said.

Klaire frowned at the sound of barking. “Stay here…” She ordered and got up, heading toward the main room to look out a window.

“What didn’t you do?” Ami asked curiously. Was James supposed to do something and didn’t?

“Apparently in another timeline I was a rapist or something…I don’t remember anything, so I really can’t tell you the details. Tzeitel seems to remember, though…It’s been upsetting Klaire a lot.”

“Oh.” Ami said. After learning what Canestone had done to her sister Ami could see why her sister would hate James, but it was another timeline! Also Ami was pretty sure Klaire had also been raped in MegaCorp… it was complicated. Why were things so complicated?

James could hear Klaire yelling. “Stay in here with the twins,” He told her and left, making sure to lock the door when he left. He didn’t want the kids getting hurt.