Hellboy: Destiny & Heartstrings

Chapter 10: A Promise

A.N: Hey guys! So, this chapter is….longer then what I'm use to and I hope to make more of these, since my chapters are amaaazingly shortso tell me what ya'll think! I don't own Hellboy. He is owned by Darkhorse and Mike Mignola. And as always Love it, Share it, Follow it, Fave it and Review it! I'm serious guys I need a little more imput than just 'update soon.' It's great to know you love my fic, but constructive criticism helps.

"Jane, what the hell is going on?! Who was that guy who answered?!" The voice of James Douglas shrilled through Jane's cell phone. She and Hellboy had been hanging out together and it was getting late. Jane had gone to get into her pajamas, leaving her phone in his room.

While she was absent, her demon friend had answered the incoming call and got an earful of yelling from James, accusing him of harming Jane. Hellboy calmly (or as calmly as someone could when being accused of murder) hurried the phone to Jane's room and caught her in the middle of changing.

At her scream, Hellboy shielded his eyes from seeing more than he should have, while James was shouting through the phone speaker, threatening to call the police. Needless to say, the situation had already gone chaotic before Hellboy handed her the phone and left the room to let Jane finish changing.

"That guy was a friend. So relax James, I'm fine," Jane sighed, slightly agitated.

"Then, what was with all the screaming?" he questioned, and Jane bit her lip, trying to think of a convincing lie.

"I was in the kitchen feeding the cats and he answered the phone, came in to give it to me and surprised me," she lied, her gut churning with guilt.

"Who the hell is that anyway?!" James asked again, he was clearly livid and jealous.

"Like I told you, a friend." Jane frowned, "What, am I not allowed to have other friends?"

"I'm not saying that. But what kind of guy friend is over this late?"he demanded, dodging her question. Jane didn't have an answer for that. She was between a rock and a hard place, wanting to end this painful conversation without being too rude to James, and return to Hellboy.

"James, you're not my keeper. I don't have to tell you what I do in my personal time," Jane snapped, a bit harsher than she had intended.

"So you are seeing someone!" James exclaimed, and Jane rolled her jade eyes.

"No, he's just a friend like I told you!" Jane shouted at him. "Why is this even important?"

"Jane, why do you think?"

"I think you're jealous and over-possessive, that's why!" Her blood began to boil within her skin.

"Why shouldn't I be? You're my girl!"

"Your girl? I'm sorry, did I hear that right? Since when am I your girl!?" she screamed.

"You know it! I'm the longest relationship you've had with a man! How could you not love me?!"

"I never said that I didn't love you!" Jane argued, though regretted it when she heard his smug reply.

"I knew it! I knew you loved me!"

"Not like that! James, I don't-" Jane paused and sighed through her nose. She was tired, tired of James and his stupid mind games, tired of Lilith and tired of every single crappy thing her life had thrown at her. "I don't love you like that. I love you because you are one of the closest things I've ever had to a family! You're the one trying to find something that's not there!"

"It's there, you have to feel it! I know you do!" he cried frantically.

"I don't. Please James, this is getting old. You're seventy-five, so please stop acting like a lovesick teenager. God blessed you with a devoted wife, four great children, and several sweet grandchildren at that, along with so many people who love you. I can't keep playing this game…if you really love me, like you say you do….don't call me…ever again." Jane heard him gasping, but she couldn't bring herself to listen to his answer and promptly hung up. A pained expression etched itself on her face when she heard a soft knocking on her door. She opened it, hoping for her friend.

But instead, it was the pyrokinetic, Liz Sherman, and behind her stood Dr. Kate Corrigan. Jane prayed they hadn't heard any of her conversation with James. She had met these B.P.R.D. agents briefly, but she noticed that whenever 'Liz Sherman' was so much as mentioned around Hellboy, he sort of shut down. His eyes would go dull and he'd make excuses to leave, and Jane made it her business to follow and comfort him.

Now, Jane counted herself a bit dense at times, but never stupid. It didn't take her long to figure out that 'the girl' he talked about so many nights before was Liz Sherman. Jane didn't know Liz personally but judging by how Hellboy reacted, she had hurt him bad.

"Are you okay?" Liz asked and Jane nodded, putting on her best fake smile.

"Yeah….yeah I'm fine," Jane lied, but the glint in Liz's eyes told her that the agent wasn't buying it, nor was Kate.

"Come on, let's talk. You'll feel better," Kate pressed, and Liz offered a gentle smile.

"I can make us some coffee, tea, hot chocolate at my place," Kate offered, "whatever you like, plus dessert?"

At the invitation, Jane bit her lip. "I really shouldn't. Hellboy-" and as if on cue, the red skinned demon appeared from a bend in the corridor, only to freeze at the sight of the three women. Dressed for work, he walked up without enthusiasm.

"Hey…" he said awkwardly, his eyes locking with Jane's, both sharing a look of extreme discomfort.

"Hey! We were about to go get refreshments, but you -" Kate scanned over his equipment, knowing he had to leave. She obviously sensed the tension mounting in Jane and her two old agent friends. Liz seemed rigid, Hellboy looked ready to bolt, and Jane – well, she felt more socially awkward than she'd been as a child, and that was saying something.

His eyes flickered to Liz before he responded. "I've just got a case, and…" He looked back at the way he'd come. "a plane is waiting."

"I'll uh….I'll catch you when you get back, ok?" Jane told Hellboy, trying to end the troubling moment. "And stay safe," she whispered. He nodded and gave her a quick hug before walking off. She watched his retreating form, having no thought for anyone else, wanting nothing more than to follow him.

But here she would stay, stuck with semi-strangers who might just become important to get along with in the future. "Can I get my robe before we go?"

She followed the other women numbly to Kate's quarters, losing herself again in regret over James' pleading words, trying to figure out how best to cope with the situation. Jane barely registered being shown to a seat at Kate's table, or the chatter from the little kitchen as the senior agent prepared to serve. Jane looked up momentarily when Kate slid a steaming cup of tea in front of her, and gave a tired nod as Liz took the chair beside her, setting down a bowl of squares and cookies. But again, Jane let her mind wander off, only aware of inhaling the fragrance of tea as she leaned her elbows on the table, holding her face in her hands.

"Don't you think so?" Kate's question, directed at Jane, shook the biokinetic out of her dejected fog, and she turned back to the blonde woman with a confused expression. "I said," Kate repeated, "I would like to see him happy. He deserves that."

Jane tried to appear a little apologetic, knowing that she hadn't been paying attention at all.

"….Um, what?" Jane asked, seeing Kate's air of concern.

"Hellboy. He's an open book, isn't he?" Liz suggested, with a little smile.

"Well…..I uh…guess…." Jane stammered, exhaustion dragging her down.

"We owe his happiness to you." Kate smiled, "After Liz, I didn't think he'd find anyone else."

At this, Jane choked on her tea. She coughed, containing a near spit take with her eyes grown as wide as saucers, if not wider.

"N-n-no!" she sputtered, some tea still caught in her lungs. Her cheeks were bright red with embarrassment. "I-i-it's not like that! We're friends, just friends…."

The two other women glanced at each other, perplexed.

"Really?"

"Because….the two of you-"

"Nope. Just friends," Jane rushed to insist, eyes downcast into the remainder of tea, her fingers drumming against the table nervously.

"So you aren't even interested?" Liz asked, and Jane wished the ground would open up and swallow her. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest that the biokinetic feared the other two could hear it. Smiles spread across their faces and Jane's blush grew hotter.

"So you are interested," Kate smiled, and Jane dropped her head onto the table with a soft thud, her ebony hair flowing across the oak wood to hide her face, as she thought she might die of humiliation.

"No, I'm not," she mumbled, though a part of her knew it was a lie.

"Then why did you hesitate?"

She went silent at that, unsure how to respond. "It's…..it's complicated."

"It's always complicated with Hellboy." Kate chuckled, taking a sip of her own beverage. Jane couldn't believe she was confessing her feelings to two strangers. But she could never tell Hellboy these things….and she couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit relived to let all of it out.

Still, embarrassment held a firm grip on her heart and her face was as bright red as Hellboy's. Jane gave a loud huff, head still down on the table.

"Does it have anything to do with that guy you were talking to on the phone?"

At Liz's words, the biokinetic stiffened and she was sure death wouldn't be as painful and much less humiliating than this. She was about to make an excuse of being tired and retreat to Hellboy's room when the phone rang. A sigh of relief almost escaped her lips as Kate got up to grab the phone, thankful for the momentary distraction.

"Hellboy!" Her heart sank once again, hoping Kate wouldn't tell him anything. Though she seemed trustworthy, Jane's fear clenched in the pit of her stomach. "Yeah, she's right here."

Jane lifted her head anxiously and took the phone offered to her. She took in a deep breath. "Red?"

"Hey. You up for a little fun?" His invitation confused and pleased her.

"What kind of fun?" Jane questioned, trying her best to ignore the suggestive smiles from Liz and Kate.

"The weird kind. I need a little help on a mission in a town just outside of New Orleans. Thought you'd enjoy it more than braiding hair." She knew he was smirking, and a small smile played on her lips.

"How can I help?" Jane asked cautiously.

"Zombieout break, nothing big. We could use some biokinetic juice here."

"Are you sure? I mean…after the last time-"

"I already asked. The lab rats believe it's an experimental opportunity to gauge your control and Manning thought your talent could be an advantage to, you know, keep the outbreak from getting any worse," Hellboy explained.

As Jane bit her lower lip, there wasn't much to decide. Did she want to stay here for girl talk with strangers and be completely humiliated, or obliterate zombies with her powers in Louisiana to save people's lives?

"Just let me get dressed, okay? Where do I-"

"Plane hasn't even left yet. Someone forgot totop up the tanks, should take about twenty minutes. You hurry, you can make it."

"Thanks, Red." Jane grinned to herself and she could almost see him shrugging.

"See you soon, alright?" he confirmed, and she nodded, imagining that he could see her.

"Got it. I'll be there in ten." She promptly hung up, after which she turned to Kate and Liz, ready with an insincere apology about leaving when they waved her off with a shooing motion.

"Go on. Trust me, we understand," Liz told her with a slightly teasing smile. "Have fun."

Her complexion still strawberry red, Jane nodded awkwardly before running off to get changed.

….

"I definitely owe you one." Jane smiled as she entered the B.P.R.D. truck and sat beside her demon friend.

"Well, I figured girl talk wasn't your cup of tea," he joked, and Jane playfully shoved him.

"So, what's this about zombies?"

"Some voodoo priestess thought digging up a gang of dead bodies, attaching alligator and snake parts on them and bringing them to life, was a good idea. Fortunately or unfortunately, depends how you look at it, she wasn't able to control them and well….now they're hungry," Hellboy explained. "They're only a few miles out of New Orleans, and I thought a biokinetic could….defuse the situation."

"Without getting any agents hurt, trying to shoot zombies in the head," Jane supplied.

"Bingo." He grinned and Jane tilted her head thoughtfully, as if studying her options.

"Alright…I'm in," she replied, anxiety still built up inside her. She would be lying to say she wasn't afraid of screwing up on her first unofficial 'mission'. What if she harmed one of the agents? What if she couldn't stop the zombies? What if she hurt Hellboy? Her fears were apparent to her red skinned companion, as he grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Hey, it's going to be fine. You'll do great."

In spite of his reassurances, Jane bit her lower lip, embarrassed. "Was it that obvious?"

"Sorry babe, you're an open book."

Jane blushed a bit at the nickname. "Funny, you're no better," she said, trying to distract herself from her thundering heart. Hellboy, unfortunately for her, saw how she was trying to change the subject and placed a crimson hand over her own.

"Hey, you'll do fine. Trust me, it's not like it's a serious mission. We have a back up plan, so if you can't handle it, no pressure."

She looked smiling up at him, glad he was there, that he knew her so well.

"Thanks, Red." Jane couldn't keep from yawning. Seeing how tired she looked, Hellboy brushed some hair from her face and gave back an encouraging smile.

"Go ahead and get some rest. You'll need your strength for later."

Looking drowsily into his amber eyes, Jane nodded. She curled up in a chair and gave him one last smile before drifting off to sleep.

….

When Jane woke up smelling swamp grass, she clued in that they had made it to their destination, or were at least close by. Her eyes wandered around, noting that she had somehow been moved from her plane seat to a small bed in the back of a large truck. Her gaze stopped when they spied Hellboy, loading his gun and humming a familiar tune. She couldn't help but smile.

"Is that, 'Tired Of Being Alone' by Al Green?" she asked, catching his attention.

He side glanced at her with a chuckle. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for soul."

At this, Jane raised a brow and smirked, "Oh, like you're the only one who loved the 70's?"

He laughed and opened his mouth to speak when the entire truck shuddered violently, tossing Jane out of her seat, and up against Hellboy. The vehicle continued to lurch and tilt, knocking them into walls and tumbling them to the floor. With the final rocking motion, Hellboy landed over her. His arms were braced on each side of her head, his legs partially straddling her hips. Dwarfed by his size, Jane almost forgot how to breathe. They were so close. So close, and yet they felt like they were miles away.

Out of their sight, other agents' screams began rising loud with terror, snapping their attention away from each other and to the current situation. The agents that had been driving were already torn to shreds while the two that remained were fending off more of the creatures. Jane was ready to use her biokinetic powers when something made her freeze.

Hellboy quickly got off her and Jane sprang up from the floor. When she stared out a window, she let out a loud scream. Horrific creatures crowded both sides of the truck, climbing and slamming themselves against the outer panels until some succeeded in breaking out the windows. Three part human zombies now coming to attack, were a mass of abominations. One wore the head of a fierce python. Another stretched forward alligator arms and large jaws snapping at them, and the last was a corpse covered in reptilian skin. But all of them shared hungry dead eyes that sent chills down Jane's spine. She was ready to use her biokinetic powers when something made her freeze.

"Help…usss." The snake-headed zombie spoke, though it's mouth didn't move. It stood looking directly at her. Jane's eyes went wide, her mouth gaping open as more pleas of the zombies merged into her brain.

"So tired!"

"Need ressst!"

"Help us!"

"Save usss!"

She screamed again, her arms flying up to guard her ears as Hellboy raised his gun and blasted three shots into their heads. He turned his attention back to Jane, immediately regretting bringing her along. He was about to speak some soothing words when she stopped her screeching and looked up at him.

"I…I can hear them," Jane explained, breathing heavily. "They're….they're in so much pain."

"Who?"

"Them." She pointed a shaking, outstretched finger towards the undead monsters, "They….they don't want to be here."

He stood there taken aback by the unexpected development when she suddenly clutched at her head again.

"Stop it!" she screamed as the truck was more alarmingly rocked by the continued force of the zombies outside. Before Hellboy could shoot enough of them, a final great push crashed the vehicle onto its side. Spilled out into the cold swamp water of the bayou, Jane and Hellboy watched the mutant zombies shambling towards them, and Jane's hands balled into fists as they grew closer.

"Stop it!" she screeched shrilly, and the zombies stopped in their tracks. They then began to convulse violently and fell down where they stood. Hellboy looked to Jane as she lifted her hands in the air, her fingers twitching ever so slightly.

"Don't wanna hurt, don't wanna kill. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! But you don't wanna be here….it's her fault. Always her fault…no, no more hurting…no more," she muttered softly. Her eyes, though screwed shut, gave off an eerie greenish white glow. "She won't hurt you again."

And with a flick of her wrist, the bodies of the dead exploded. Far spurting blood, flying organ chunks, shreds of reptilian hide and even splintering pieces of teeth splattered all over Hellboy and Jane. Her jade eyes opened wide, as if breaking out of a trance. She was shaking and tried to stand, but her legs buckled beneath her. Hellboy moved to support her, wrapping an arm around her waist as she crumpled up, exhausted. She took a few calming breaths, sighed and looked up at him sadly.

"So much for control right?" she asked with irony, a bitter tone in her words, and then her world went black.

….

When Jane woke up, she was in Hellboy's room, tucked in and under the blankets with a headache that felt like a nail had been hammered into her skull. She groaned in pain when a hand moved a few stray hairs tentatively from her face. She sat up slowly and her eyes met her friend's golden amber colored orbs.

"Hey there, tiger," he greeted with a grin.

"God, did I get hit by a bus?" It even hurt her to frown.

"No, but ya blew up some zombies."

At these words Jane shot up, her eyes shocked wide as the memories came flooding back. She slapped a hand to her forehead and sighed, "Yeah…sorry I kinda….lost it."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You did good, I just want to make sure you're alright." He smiled at Jane's slight pout.

"I'm not schizophrenic," she told him, her eyes holding a serious gaze "but I did hear them. I swear I heard them. I'm not crazy."

"Trust me, I've met plenty of people who can talk to the dead. You wouldn't be the first," Hellboy answered reassuringly.

Jane gave out a small breath of relief. "So….I can hear dead people. How did my life get so weird?" "Well, it wasn't exactly normal in the first place," Hellboy joked, giving them both reason to laugh.

In the following silence, Jane wrung her hands together and flexed her restless fingers, a nervous habit the demon seemed to be noticing.

"Red….what am I going to do? I mean I can't…I can't keep pretending that my life isn't…isn't a complete wreck. I…I can't do this." His eyes softened and Hellboy pulled her into a tender embrace.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. I promise," he whispered into her hair, stroking small circles on her back. "You don't have to do this alone. I'll be right here."

Jane held onto him a little tighter, pulling herself even closer to him and her heavy heart seemed to lighten ever so slightly.

"I promise."