How am I-? [ Jim almost laughs, but there's no humor in it, just disbelief that he's the one that Kunsel is worried about just now. That, and disbelief that Kunsel's actually using video - without Jim having to ask, even, and he's absurdly grateful for that.
It makes it easier to answer, and when he does Jim's holding out on mentioning the elephant in the room for a little longer. Zack's already upset enough, and Jim's not willing to ruin that honest smile just yet. Kunsel's alive and already moving with a plan. ]
We're okay. We weren't hurt, we're fine. [ Though Kunsel seems to remember more than Zack, but Jim's not sure how lucid those last moments were. And 'fine' is a massive overstatement, though one that's a little closer to the truth now that he's heard from Kunsel. None of them are gone, just separated, and they'll be here. Soon, Jim hopes, if the weather holds. ] Where-?
[Don't think you have Kunsel fooled, Jim. He knows how hard death hits the boy, especially when it's someone close to him. And two at once, two of the closest people to him here...
He's not 'fine,' and Kunsel knows it.
But Kunsel also knows that sometimes the only way to cope is to pretend you're okay until you are.]
I woke up in the funeral home. Zack was in the chapel.
[His voice softens.]
I'm glad you weren't hurt.
[It's the only thing that makes his death - Zack's death - tolerable, knowing that at least they'd protected the two boys by keeping them out of the room.]
[ Jim knows Kunsel probably doesn't buy it, but he needs to try anyway, if not for his own sake then for Kunsel's. He needs less to worry about until they're reunited; Jim knows from experience what a mess his head might be right now.
His eyes dart back and forth, clearly thinking as he tries to piece together where both those places are. He's never been to either, but they've skirted around the barren field surrounding the church enough that he didn't even have to glance at the map to have a decent idea of where Zack is.
Kunsel, on the other hand... well, he's never been to the funeral home. He pulls up the map app silently and studies it, relieved to find that Kunsel is closer rather than further away. ]
-Just scratches, [ He says, quietly, and doesn't point out that most of them didn't even bleed. Louder, he adds: ] Are you - can you move?
[Jim could be downplaying the severity of any injuries he might have received, but Kunsel doesn't think he is. He can see a few of those scratches on Jim's face right now, and if the rest are like that, he'll be okay. Physically.
But still, he'd needed to ask, for his own peace of mind if nothing else.]
I can move. Nothing seems to be wrong with me. If I've lost something, I can't tell what it is.
You remember us and who you are, all your senses - you really can't tell?
[ Jim knows there've been little things, like personality changes or the ability to lie. It could be one of those, but right now he's just going to be relieved that neither of them seem to have gotten anything devastating. Or, if it is, at least so far it's something they're blissfully unaware of. Something to worry about later, though, because Jim can't quite help the little smile forming on his face. Kunsel's alive; the one or the other of them coming back was unlikely, both is practically a miracle, but their family's survived. ]
Man, everyone is going to be so glad to see you. Kesara...
Kesara. Steph, for the network. Watson. [ Kesara took it hardest, of course. ] I... wasn't sure who you'd want me to call, but I thought she should know before your name popped up on the obituaries.
No, you're right. That... That wouldn't have been good surprise for her.
[Not that it would be a good surprise for anyone, but definitely not for her.]
Thank you, Jim. That couldn't have been easy for you.
[Jim doesn't have to say it for Kunsel to know. In shock and grieving, and then having to break the news... That's more than he should have had to do.]
[ Jim's jaw works silently and he doesn't meet Kunsel's eyes. It hadn't been good for her - the entire conversation had been awful - but Kunsel doesn't need to know that. She'll be happy that he's back and he can just move on from it without knowing.
Jim hopes.
The thank you snaps his eyes back up, though, a sudden flash of bright blue beneath his dark brows. Thank -? ]
[ Jim hesitates, aware of how badly Zack had reacted. Aware that Kunsel might take it better, but might not. The uncertainty and then the resolve are clear on his face. ]
We've got plans. Everything will be alright when you get here.
[The way Jim phrases that doesn't raise any red flags - though when Kunsel gets more details from Zell, he isn't going to be any happier than Zack. But for now he relaxes at the reassurance.]
Good. I'm gonna hold you to that, Jim.
I guess I better contact a few people now. Let them know I'm alright.
[ Jim doesn't really want to end the conversation, but - Kunsel's right. He has others to talk to, and Jim has to keep his promise to explore the toy store. ]
Can I - [ No, that's probably no good. ] - I'll call you again when we stop.
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It makes it easier to answer, and when he does Jim's holding out on mentioning the elephant in the room for a little longer. Zack's already upset enough, and Jim's not willing to ruin that honest smile just yet. Kunsel's alive and already moving with a plan. ]
We're okay. We weren't hurt, we're fine. [ Though Kunsel seems to remember more than Zack, but Jim's not sure how lucid those last moments were. And 'fine' is a massive overstatement, though one that's a little closer to the truth now that he's heard from Kunsel. None of them are gone, just separated, and they'll be here. Soon, Jim hopes, if the weather holds. ]
Where-?
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He's not 'fine,' and Kunsel knows it.
But Kunsel also knows that sometimes the only way to cope is to pretend you're okay until you are.]
I woke up in the funeral home. Zack was in the chapel.
[His voice softens.]
I'm glad you weren't hurt.
[It's the only thing that makes his death - Zack's death - tolerable, knowing that at least they'd protected the two boys by keeping them out of the room.]
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His eyes dart back and forth, clearly thinking as he tries to piece together where both those places are. He's never been to either, but they've skirted around the barren field surrounding the church enough that he didn't even have to glance at the map to have a decent idea of where Zack is.
Kunsel, on the other hand... well, he's never been to the funeral home. He pulls up the map app silently and studies it, relieved to find that Kunsel is closer rather than further away. ]
-Just scratches, [ He says, quietly, and doesn't point out that most of them didn't even bleed. Louder, he adds: ] Are you - can you move?
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But still, he'd needed to ask, for his own peace of mind if nothing else.]
I can move. Nothing seems to be wrong with me. If I've lost something, I can't tell what it is.
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[ Jim knows there've been little things, like personality changes or the ability to lie. It could be one of those, but right now he's just going to be relieved that neither of them seem to have gotten anything devastating. Or, if it is, at least so far it's something they're blissfully unaware of. Something to worry about later, though, because Jim can't quite help the little smile forming on his face. Kunsel's alive; the one or the other of them coming back was unlikely, both is practically a miracle, but their family's survived. ]
Man, everyone is going to be so glad to see you. Kesara...
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[Because who can really tell they can't taste anything until it comes time to eat? And that's something he hasn't done yet.]
Kesara... You told her?
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[Not that it would be a good surprise for anyone, but definitely not for her.]
Thank you, Jim. That couldn't have been easy for you.
[Jim doesn't have to say it for Kunsel to know. In shock and grieving, and then having to break the news... That's more than he should have had to do.]
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Jim hopes.
The thank you snaps his eyes back up, though, a sudden flash of bright blue beneath his dark brows. Thank -? ]
You would've done the same.
[ Had, for all Jim knows. ]
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[It really doesn't. No matter what anyone else has done, it doesn't mitigate Jim's strength here.]
You going to be alright until we can get back there?
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[ Jim hesitates, aware of how badly Zack had reacted. Aware that Kunsel might take it better, but might not. The uncertainty and then the resolve are clear on his face. ]
We've got plans. Everything will be alright when you get here.
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Good. I'm gonna hold you to that, Jim.
I guess I better contact a few people now. Let them know I'm alright.
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[ Getting away with it almost feels worse than getting called out on it, but what can he do?
Nothing, at the moment. And Kunsel's right - there are a lot of people that want to hear from him. ]
I'd start with the small one.
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[He's... really going to have to figure out how to do this, especially with Kesara.
But that's a bridge to cross after this.]
See you soon, Jim.
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[ Jim doesn't really want to end the conversation, but - Kunsel's right. He has others to talk to, and Jim has to keep his promise to explore the toy store. ]
Can I - [ No, that's probably no good. ] - I'll call you again when we stop.
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Sure, if I don't call you first.
Take care of yourself, Jim. Kunsel out.
[He turns the tablet off. For now. But Jim will definitely hear from him again, one way or another, before the day is out.]