AN: I do not own Hellboy or Hellboy the movie. The characters belong to Mike Mignola and Guillermo Del Toro. I only own Jessica and this story. Please Review and Favorite!
This chapter is dedicated to a good friend of mine, who took his life 7 years ago. Rest In Peace, Brother Red.
Liz stared blankly at the steel wall in front of her. This is a bit extreme, she thought as she played with the rubber bands on her wrist. SNAP! Part of her wanted to get out of this place and part of her wished they would lock her as far from the earth's surface as possible. So she sat there, with a blank face. Zero expression. What was she to say? I'm sorry I blew up another place? As if that would solve anything.
"Liz." She heard the whisper before seeing a faint ghost like apparition before her. She tilted her head as the definitions of Jess's face became clearer. "Liz?" It asked, "are you alright?"
Liz looked behind her, sensing that the guard had fallen asleep while watching her, "Yes," she answered faintly. SNAP! She missed Jess, her sarcasm and wit always made her smile. Besides Hellboy, Jess was her only friend in the world.
"What happened?" Jess's apparition asked, "Did they not put enough chocolate chips in your pancakes? Because I did tell them about that once." Liz closed her eyes and smirked at the comment. Sarcasm and wit like that made her days better.
"I don't remember. Just a bad dream."Liz said as she watched as Jess's apparition put one hand on her hip, "Well," Jess said, "someone is coming to get you."
"Fantastic," Liz said rolling her eyes, "I'll be a freak on display again." Liz looked down as Jess's apparition sat with her hands on her knees.
"I think you'll be surprised." Jess paused and looked behind itself before turning back to Liz, "Red's coming back so I have to go. I'll see you soon," her ghost said as she stood up, "and Liz?" Liz looked up seeing the apparition becoming more and more faint, Jess's voice become more of a whisper, "he's a good guy." Liz watched as the vision faded into thin air leaving Liz wondering, who this guy was and if she really would be surprised.
John sat in the cab looking out the window, his mind on elsewhere. He thought of Elizabeth Sherman; her fair skin, her black hair, her chocolate brown eyes. John had a hero complex, not as great as Hellboy's but he wanted to make the woman feel like she wasn't a freak. He smiled thinking of her mindset, like being human and normal was so great. John would have given anything to be extraordinary like her. John figured that he could coax Elizabeth back to the Bureau if he showed her she has a choice, then maybe she would be willing to give it another chance and maybe even him one too.
As the cab pulled up to the hospital, he finally got a good look at the damage to building. It still looked like at any moment it would collapse but since they picked up the heads and decapitated limbs of their statues; it looked a lot less desolate. He could see the skeletal structure of the building, and he smiled. Like Jess could see the skeletal structure of him; the parts that no one else seemed to see. The parts that made him who he is and he was hoping he could do the same for Elizabeth.
John walked into the building as people turned and looked at him as if was admitting himself. A nurse with short blond hair and a plump frame walked up to him, "Can I help you sir?"
"Um, yes," John said as he pulled out his badge, "I'm Agent Myers with the FBI. I'm looking for Elizabeth Sherman?"
The woman's smile faded as she sighed, "I figured as much," she said turning and pointing down a long hallway, "down the Albert Wing and first door on the left. You'll find Dr. Grace. You'll need to speak with her before entering the safe room."
"Safe room?" John asked with a puzzled look on his face; he followed her finger to the hallway.
The woman gave him a serious but sarcastic look, "Yes, because we just let fire-starters walk around freely." As she turned and walked away, John gave her a nasty glare. Bitch, he thought to himself as he walked down Albert Wing. Once he got to the door he knocked and a large security guard opened the door.
John walked through as he was pleasantly greeted by a tall woman in a white lab coat, "You must be Agent Myers. I'm Dr. Grace." She said as she shook his hand. John could tell from the dark circles under her eyes that she was tired. And after this, he hardly could blame her. Dr. Grace turned to the two way mirror as John looked at Elizabeth. She looked lonely as she sat there in the chair, with a blank expression, staring at the wall.
"I have her discharge papers," the doctor said turning to John, "We can't keep her any longer. She has cost us thousands of dollars never-mind put a huge dent in our medical supply. She's highly dangerous,"she looked at John, playing with her glasses and hesitated before finishing her sentence, "Ar-are you sure you want to go in there?"
John just nodded as the doctor acknowledged for the guard to open the door. As he walked into the room, Elizabeth didn't even acknowledge him. John swallowed hard before he asked, "Miss Sherman?" Still no answer as she stared up at the wall. John walked closer as he squatted on his ankles beside her, "Excuse me, Miss Sherman?" still no answer. John looked at the window, assuming Dr. Grace's doubt then back at her, "May I call you 'Liz'? It's a beautiful name." Finally a response.
Liz smirked, "Sixty percent of the women in the world are named Liz." SNAP! John looked at her wrist, seeing the rubber bands that she was pulling hard, releasing them against her skin, turning it red; John could see the welts on her forearm from the rubber-bands.
"Well, it's impressive by my standards. My name's John. John T. Myers." Liz smiled at his effort to try to make her feel better.
Now down to business, "Professor Broom asked me to escort you back to the Bureau. No special liaisons, no extra precautions. Just you and me in a cab like regular folks."
Liz turned her head and frowned at him, "Wow, that doesn't sound like him."
John sighed as he shifted his weight to his knees and put his left hand on her left knee, "Well, he's asking for you back but it's entirely your choice."
Liz smiled as she stood up and faced him, "I've quit the Bureau thirteen times and yet I always go back. Where else would I go?" John stood up as she offered her hand to him, "I'm tired of sitting for so long anyway."
Jessica looked up from the mirror, seeing Liz's image fade away. She didn't have much time between getting dressed and the fact that Red's heavy footsteps from his hooves were growing louder. Quickly, she got up and grabbed her black military pants, one of the crimson shirts that Myers bought her and her black combat boots. She slipped them on as quickly as she could as the door to Red's room opened, she stood leaning against the dresser. Jessica quickly looked up to the ceiling, taking in a quick breath before her eyes shifted from their red to emerald green state. She looked back at Red who stood in the doorway, cynical and deflated. "What's wrong?" she asked him as he carelessly threw his Samaritan down on the chair. Thank goodness that thing wasn't loaded or it would have been the cat's ass.
Red stormed into the room, walking passed Jessica, grabbing one of cigars and lighting it, "Clay didn't make it." His words were cold and clear. He blamed himself. Jessica frowned, looking away.
"Red..." she started to say but he lifted his big stone hand to her, "No. I know it's not my fault. He was a good man, he was doing his job." Red looked away from her, and she could see tears. One long puff of his cigar later, he looked back at her, "I still feel bad. He was my friend."
Jessica nodded as she took him in her arms, Red pulled his cigar from his mouth in stone hand as he put his left hand on her waist, "One of my very best friends died a long time ago," she looked up into his golden gaze and held it within her own long enough that she could see the ash from his cigar fall onto the floor. Jessica reached up and ran her long pianist fingers through Red's black hair, "He always used to tell me that 'Death is never the end but another chance to start over again.' Think of Clay starting a new life somewhere else, instead of floating alone somewhere in the atmosphere." Red smiled as he put his head down and kissed her lips. Like two missing pieces of the puzzle fitting together for the first time, again, Jessica grabbed his waist hard. Pulling him closer to her. She wanted to feel him, all of him. And not just in an intimate way but in every way.
"Easy, darling." He breathed as he pulled away from her. Her eyes reflected the desires they both wanted. Red wanted her just as bad she wanted him.
"Ah-hem." Jessica and Red both looked up at Tom Manning who was standing in his doorway. Jessica released Red completely as he took a step back from her, she caught a glimpse of the deep claw marks in his chest and frowned. "I'd like to speak to you for a moment in private." Manning announced as turned abruptly and walked down the hall.
Red brushed his fingers against her cheek, "I gotta go to detention. I'll be back," and kissed her cheek as he walked out the door behind Manning.
Liz smiled as she leaned her head out the back window of the cab, man it feels good to be outside again. She grabbed the roof of the cab as she lifted herself out the window, "Liz!" She turned her head to catch John looking at her, "Nice view." he said smiling and waving at her. She picked up her Polaroid camera and snapped a picture of his face. She had to admit, he was cute. Innocent even and Jess was right; he was a good guy. Maybe she should give him a chance. After all, H. B. and her would never work. Her feelings for him depleted a long time ago and he confessed one too many times that his love for her never went passed that of one a brother would feel for his sister. Besides, Liz could tell from the moment H.B. described Jess, that he was in love with her. Liz always thought she was the most dangerous person on the planet until she met Jess. Liz only snapped her out of an episode once and it almost killed her. Jess could control anything; earth, fire, wind, water, light and darkness. She was unpredictable and that made her dangerous. Nonetheless, Red made her happy and she was happy to see them happy. She wouldn't ever want to see it tarnished.
"Nice smile," Liz said to John causing him to smile, ear to ear. She reached across the roof of the cab, handing him her photograph. John reached out to take it as the wind blew it out of her hand. He gave her a sad smile as she frowned, watching it float down the street.
"Well," he said as she turned her face back to him, "You'll just have to take another one." Liz smiled at him as they continued down the long driveway to the Bureau.
Hellboy met Manning in a private office room, where Abe was floating in a tank; his pulse and injuries being examined. Manning turned his back from him as he shut the door, "You're such a pest." Manning said, catching Hellboy off guard.
"Excuse me?" Hellboy asked. Already starting your crap, eh, Manning? Hellboy thought to himself as Manning lit himself a cigar.
"We've lost three agents because of you."
Hellboy paced the room, clearly losing his patience. He tried to think of Jess, get his mind off this banter, "I knew those agents better than you-"
"And that makes it okay?" Manning interrupted. Hellboy put his left hand over his forehead. Manning really knows how to push buttons but when it comes to Hellboy, he really likes to push them all. At the same time.
"No," Hellboy answered, his voice low almost a growl, "It doesn't but-"
"You see this whole thing is a farce." There he goes again, Hellboy thought, interrupting me again. Can't get a damn word in edge wise with this guy, Hellboy thought as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring at Manning. Waiting for him to continue.
"You see," Manning started, "This is why we need you. You know monsters."
Hellboy stared at Manning, his anger almost boiling over, "What are you trying to say, Manning?"
Tom took a step forward, he was so close to Hellboy that Hellboy could feel beads of his saliva on his face, "After you've caught and killed them all. There's still one freak left. You." Manning turned to walk out, but watching Hellboy squirm from his words was too priceless, "Well, actually, two. You and bat-girl."
That was it. Harpoon in the middle of Hellboy's ego and pride. Hellboy uncrossed his arms as he looked at Manning, "I'm sorry, Manning," he said as he put his left hand over his rib cage, "I wish I could be more graceful..." he paused as he grabbed one of the large water tanks in the room, and carried it over to Manning who was cowering by the window.
Jessica walked down the hall as she saw Liz standing there, hugging Professor Broom. "Welcome Back," he said to her.
"It's only for the weekend, then I shall be on my way." Jessica stood beside her and as Liz noticed her, she squealed.
"Yeah okay," Jess said as she walked over to Liz,"you know you're staying." Jessica gave Liz a massive hug as Liz hugged back. They stayed that way for a few moments; like two friends who haven't seen each other for many years.
"You should check the place out," Professor Broom spoke up. Liz let Jess go as she backed up next to Myers, "we've made some big changes around here." Liz looked up, smiling at Myers as a large metal tank came crashing through the glass screen.
"Oh no," Jessica said as she put her head in her hands.
Manning came backing out of the room, terrified as he looked at Professor Broom then the rest, "I want that thing locked up! Do you hear me? Now! Right-"Manning quickly scurried away as Red came practically waltzing out of the room. He turned to Jessica and the rest and began to smile,"Liz?"
Liz turned and looked at Jess who was peeking out from behind her hands, "Yeah, nothing's changed," Liz picked up her bags and she playfully tapped Jess's shoulder, "Home sweet home," and walked down the hall with Myers.
"You did it, Myers! You did it!" As Myers walked away, Red's face went grim. "Myers?" he asked. Professor Broom shook his head and walked down the hall passed Red, "Pop?" he asked finally turning to Jess who walked up to him.
"What?" he asked her as she grabbed him by his stone hand and led him back towards his room, "Come on, love, let's patch you up."
John placed Liz's final bags down in her room as he smiled and sat down beside her, "Better than a hospital chair." Liz smiled up at him. SNAP!
She turned to John who was sitting on the bed beside her, "I learned this in therapy. One if I'm depressed," SNAP! ,"Two if I'm impatient," SNAP! SNAP! John grabbed one of the rubber bands between his thumb and index finger. He pulled it lightly as Liz's arm gently bounced up and down.
"I might have to get you a fresh pack," he said smiling then brushed a piece of hair back from her face.
"Yeah," she answered with a small chuckle, "since I'm staying here, maybe two." John and her laughed for a moment before getting caught in each others gaze.
"I'll leave you to get reacquainted." John got up and lingered in the doorway for a moment before leaving.
Liz smiled and laughed silently, "Damn you Jess," she said as she looked at the bands on her forearm, "for always being right." SNAP!
Red sat down on the chair in his room while Jess grabbed the surgical kit from the bathroom. "Can't use your voodoo magic to heal me?" he asked from the other room as he lifted his shirt up and over his head for her.
When Jess came out of the bathroom, kit in hand, she smirked at him, "Only to the surface, the rest has to be stitched otherwise you'll have a scar."
"What's one more scar?" Red joked as he put his hands on the arms of the chair.
Jess grabbed another chair and turned it so she could face him. "It's not 'voodoo' either," she pulled the needle and thread out from the box as she made a small knot through the needle hole, "it's energy. It takes a lot out of me too."
Red winced and looked away as Jess dug her fingers into his flesh. Drawing small amounts of blood around her fingers; she concentrated on the wound which turned blue and healed most of the way. He looked at her as her eyes stayed red while she began to sew his wounds shut. She worked quickly, efficiently but gracefully and eloquently. Almost as if she took great pride into healing him.
"Why are you always taking care of me?" he finally asked causing her to pause, biting the thread and putting a patch of gauze over the wound.
"You're no use to the Bureau if you're injured." She stood up and put the kit down on the table. Jess sighed with her back to him as she looked at herself in the mirror. One of her eyes was green, the other red. What she was about to say, she meant with her heart; all of it, darkness and light. "And," she continued but paused to take another deep breath. She could see Red get up and walk behind her as he looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Because I love you." the rest came out slow and silent like a whisper.
Red turned Jess around to face him as he tilted her face to his, "You mean that?" his eyes scanning her face, looking, searching for any sign of doubt. There was none.
"Of course I do." Her answer was sincere as he suddenly whisked her off her feet and laid her down in his bed. He kissed her lips, her cheek, her neck before looking into her eyes as he laid beside her, "Damn," he said looking at her, making her eyes fill with worry, "What?" she asked, suddenly concerned that he didn't feel the same.
"I love you." he whispered as she glared at him.
"What?" he chuckled as she punched his shoulder before turning over with her back to him.
"Not funny," she said with her voice rough and full of irritation. Red laughed and put his stone hand around her side, pulling her close to him before they drifted off to sleep.