Part II: Trespassers Will Be Shot

Chapter 9: Déjà vu

Jude

George is screaming, and his voice rattles my skull. He's hunched over in the fetal position on the floor, moaning and crying. It's so pathetic that I almost feel bad for him. There is a man I don't recognize standing at the doorway, gun in hand. I feel like I could be dreaming all this, since my senses are whacked as it is. The pain in my leg is even lessening as my nerves grow weaker. The man walks over to me and leans down beside me, feeling my pulse. I want to laugh at his seriousness and tell him it's okay, it was only my leg that was shot. But the most I can do is cringe under his touch.

"It's okay Jude. You're okay now. Just hang on." He says softly. I nod and manage a smile.

"I've never had déjà vu like this before." I tell him, but I'm not even sure that he hears me. The sound of feet running down the stairs and people shouting to move back interrupt me. I vaguely wonder why George isn't screaming anymore.

Pony

Jude has been sleeping for quite a while, in the same room as his brother. Jason had to be sedated after he had a full-blown panic attack and passed out at the scene of the crime. I figured after this whole thing is over with that I can make fun of him about it, but I'll at least wait a few days.

"Still nothing?" Soda asks, coming into the hospital room and sitting beside me. I shake my head. Even though I know that both Jude and Jason are asleep under the influence of drugs, I still feel the need to be quiet so that I don't wake them up. It's funny too, considering that's what we're all waiting on.

"They'll be fine ya know?" Soda says, smiling at me. "It's Jude and Jason here." I nod and smile too. They're both as hardheaded has Dally was.

Two hours later, the room is occupied by Darry, Steve, Two-bit, Soda, me, and a very talkative Jude. Jason however, is still knocked out.

"I was the one that was shot, and he's the on that's still asleep. Jeez, he's worse than a chick." Jude says when the doctor asks him how he's feeling.

"Well, it's been a long day." The doctor answers, but he's smiling with the rest of us. "Give him another hour or so, and he'll be awake."

"Are you hungry? I'm hungry." Two-bit says. Jude nods immediately.

"I'm starving." He answers, so Two-bit takes off towards the cafeteria to pick up some food for them.

"How's George?" Jude asks. Steve and Soda exchange glances, and Darry gives Jude a serious look.

"Don't worry about it." Darry tells him. Of course Jude isn't one to be babied like that.

"I'm not worrying about it Dar, I'm wondering about it. How is he? Did that cop kill him?" Jude asks stubbornly. Anyone else would have gave in to Jude's insistence, but Darry isn't anyone else.

"Well, don't wonder." Darry answers firmly. I get ready for a heated argument between the two, but Jason breaks in, much to Darry's relief.

"Jude? Hey baby, are you okay?" Jason asks, immediately sitting up and dangling his legs off the side of the bed.

"Fine Jason. And baby? Really Jas, that is so not tuff." Jude answers with embarrassment. Steve smirks, and Soda looks amused, but Darry just looks at Jason sternly.

"You can't get out of bed, Jason. So don't even think about it." Jason rolls his eyes at Darry's statement, and stands up anyways, feeling Jude's head.

"You're kinda warm buddy. How do you feel?" Jason says, looking Jude over for wounds.

"Fine Jason. And Darry's right. You should take it easy." Jude answers, but Jason waves him off.

"I'm fine. I wasn't hurt. God kiddo, I'm so sorry." He wraps his arms around Jude, and Jude hugs him back.

"Kay, It's okay Jason. I'm fine." Jude says patiently. Jason wipes at his tears and pulls back, looking Jude over again.

"I love you." Jason tells him. Jude gives another embarrassed look our way, then looks back at his brother.

"I love you too Jas, but the cool factor on this is in the negatives." He responds, actually earning a laugh from Jason and Darry.

"Oh yeah, sorry. I guess you're right. I'm just glad you're okay." Jason tells him. Two-bit bursts through the door with two bags of food and puts them down on a wooden table.

"Brought back the food. Oh and hey, look what I found." Two-bit says, pulling out a stethoscope from one of the bags and putting it around his neck.

"They leave all kinds of things laying around here."