Change everything you are

And everything you were

Your number has been called

Muse - Butterflies and Hurricanes

Despite the fact that it was late afternoon when we left to go to dinner the next day, the cloudy February weather made it darker than it should have been. Jack was on guard more than usual, but I had been expecting that. It was a fairly long walk to the diner we had decided on, but it was in the opposite direction to Jack's club, and we both enjoyed the food there, so it was the best choice for us. With the slippery Winter sidewalks, it took us just over half an hour to get there. Ever the gentleman, Jack opened the door for me, casting a final glance over his shoulder as he followed me in. We chose a table away from the windows, and Jack sat facing the door. As if I wasn't already nervous enough about this whole situation, his odd behaviour was putting me even more on edge.

I sighed. "Jack, why don't we just get our food to go, call a cab, and go home? You aren't enjoying this."

He stopped fidgeting and looked at me. "No, it's good to be out. We'll eat here and walk home, like we planned."

"Are you sure? You seem really nervous," I told him.

He forced himself to relax back into his seat. "Sorry," he grinned. "I'll cool it."

I nodded and looked down at the menu the waitress had set in front of me. Jack ordered us each a tea as I browsed the menu. True to his word, Jack was visibly more relaxed as we ordered and ate our food. We chatted about the snow they were forecasting for tomorrow, and he made his usual silly jokes about other people at the diner. All in all, it was a fairly typical meal out for the two of us. As conversation was so light and flowed so easily, and given that we ordered dessert, we ended up leaving the diner much later than we had intended. As a result of that and the gloomy weather, it was also much darker than we'd anticipated.

"Jack, let's call a cab," I urged. "It's freezing, and too long of a walk. It's dark and-"

He cut me off. "It's fine, Sugar. We've done this walk plenty of times in colder weather than this. You're being paranoid. C'mon."

He took me by the elbow and we started for home. As edgy as he had been on the way to the diner, that's how relaxed he seemed on the way home. This time, I was the one jumping at every sound and taking notice of every passing vehicle. Jack kept a steadying hold on my arm as we walked, because the sidewalk was very slippery and a couple of times I nearly fell to the ground. Conversation was clipped, as we were both listening to our surroundings more than usual.

We were nearly home when I heard voices coming from an alley up ahead. I hesitated, causing Jack to stop and look at me quizzically. "Shh," I put a finger to my lips. "I heard someone in the alley," I pointed ahead with the same finger as I whispered.

"Yeah," Jack spoke quietly, as well. "Because we aren't the only two people in the city, despite what we may think at times," he chuckled.

I hit him lightly on the arm. "Shut up, Jack, this isn't a joke."

He sighed irritatedly and looked ahead, tapping his foot on the ground anxiously. "C'mon. Stay close to me," he pulled me into his right side, nearest the road, and we slowly continued our walk. We both breathed a sigh of relief as we got past the alley. "See? I told you there wa-"

"Jack!" I hollered as someone grabbed him and dragged him into the alley, another person throwing me behind him. I would have fallen, but the man who had grabbed Jack steadied me.

"Take it easy," he said roughly. "We got no problem with her," I made to yell. "Now, shut that pretty mouth of yours, or we will," he pointed a finger at me threateningly. My mouth snapped shut in fear.

"Just leave her alone, and let's talk about this," Jack was up against the wall and managed to keep his voice even.

The bigger man, the one who had grabbed Jack, pushed him back roughly into the wall. "Not a word!" He gritted his teeth. I covered my mouth with both hands, tears filling my eyes but not yet spilling over.

The man who had grabbed me was in front of me now, and I saw he had a gun in his hand, pointed at Jack. My heart was pounding. I had no idea fear could be so strong and so painful. Jack had his lips sucked in between his teeth in an effort to keep quiet. "You remember me, don't you, motherfucker?" Asked the big man. Jack nodded. "Yeah, I thought you might. You fucked me out of nearly a hundred grand in that game, do you realize that?" Jack didn't move. The man back-handed him, I gasped loudly. "I asked you a question, asshole, don't ignore me," he said calmly.

"Don't point that at her," Jack said quietly. It was then that I noticed the other guy had his gun pointed at my chest, which he must have done when I'd gasped. Jack got hit again, and I lurched forward before I remembered the gun leveled at me.

"What the fuck did I say? Hmm?" His voice rose slightly. "Now, we don't have a problem with your girl here, but if you keep speakin' outta turn, somethin' bad might happen," there was a suggestive lilt to his voice that made me feel ill. "Now, answer my question."

Jack sighed angrily. "Yes, I realize you lost money on that game," he growled.

"Yeah, you thought that was pretty fuckin' funny then," the big man grumbled. "I don't think that shit-eating grin left your face the whole time."

"I wasn't grinning," Jack shook his head. "Warren said you'd been talking to him. He said-"

The big man cut Jack off. "Don't worry about that weasel Warren. I told him I wouldn't kill ya 'n' I won't. Hey, get over here and hold him," he ordered the smaller man. "And you, don't. Fucking. Move. Got it?" He waved his gun at me as he spoke, and I nodded hurriedly.

The smaller man cautiously walked around me to pin Jack to the wall. I had a brainwave at that moment and remembered the knife in my purse; the one Jack had insisted I carry with me at all times. It seemed crazy to think that I could do something against these two men with just a knife, but I had to try something. I didn't know what they were going to do to Jack. Keeping my eyes fixed on the men threatening and taunting Jack, I slowly and quietly put my hand in my purse. Feeling around, my fingers quickly found the knife. I was a couple of paces behind them, so I would have to be quick about it, otherwise they would hear my feet crunching in the snow as I approached them. I took a long, deep breath before I lunged forward, my knife connecting with the big man's shoulder, making him drop his gun, and my knee connecting with the smaller man's groin as I brought it up between his legs. I grabbed Jack's arm and we started to run. I expected to her a gun shot, or at least hear someone chasing us, but when I glanced over my shoulder at the mouth of the alley, I heard the big man chuckle grimly as he pulled the knife out of his shoulder. I slowed slightly.

"Jack," the man roared. "We'll see to it you get this back, hmm?" The man shook the knife at us and nodded.

"Kaylie, come on!" Jack grabbed my arm this time and pulled me along as we ran.

I was gasping to catch my breath and sobbing by the time we reached our building. We ran straight to the elevator, which had just let one of our neighbours out, and closed the doors behind us, sinking to the floor. As the elevator started up to our floor, Jack hit the emergency stop button, bringing it to a halt. We sat in silence for a moment, both of us winded. Jack was looking nervously from me to the control panel, and I had my eyes fixed on Jack's shoes. Anything to avoid meeting his eyes just now.

"Sugar," he began hoarsely, clearing his throat. "Kaylie, I am so, so sorry. I really thought tha-"

"I know," I cut him off. "Are you okay?" I looked at him finally, taking note of the bruises already forming on his face.

He gave me a sad, half-smile. "I'll live," he mumbled. "Are you?"

I nodded. "Scared."

Jack nodded in return. We sat for another moment before he reached up and started the elevator again. We both stood, and were at our floor a moment later. I unlocked the apartment and we both went inside. Jack locked the door behind us and went straight for the phone to call Warren. I sat down on the sofa and listened.

"Warren? It's Jack," he started. "Guess who jumped me and my girl tonight on our way home? ... That's right. He doesn't seem to be listening to whatever you've been saying... We're alright. He took a knife to the shoulder and we took off... Too close to home, man. How am I supposed to keep us safe? ... You think that's necessary? ... No way, Warren, I can't meet you anywhere. I leave this apartment, I'll be dead, I know it... You sure? Last time you said that... Yeah... Yeah... Tomorrow at Nora's, got it... Yeah." Click.

"What did he say?" I said, moving to stand in front of Jack, placing my hands on his sides.

He sighed heavily and loosely linked his arms around my back. "He wants me armed. He doesn't want me caught out like that again."

I pulled back a bit to look Jack in the eye. "A gun? I don't like the idea of that Jack," I shook my head.

"I know, Sugar, but what am I supposed to do? Those guys attacked us a stone's throw away from our home. We need to be protected," he pulled away and gestured with his arms as he spoke. "I don't know what else to do," he said finally, defeated.

"And he expects you to meet him at the diner tomorrow to get this," I paused, still in disbelief. "Protection?"

He stood straight with his hands on his hips and nodded at me. I shook my head and scoffed before heading to the bedroom. I had my pajamas on before Jack came in. He sat on the bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "What do I do?" He asked quietly.

I looked at him. His eyes were cast downward, studying the floor, his hands tented between his knees. I sat myself next to him, hugging him from the side, linking my hands together on his right arm. My chin rested on his shoulder, my forehead on his temple. I couldn't stop a tear from escaping my eye and rolling down my cheek. "I don't know, Wild Card," I answered honestly. "If you need a gun, you're better off with one than without one," I reasoned. "Not having one isn't going to make the danger go away. Having one might keep you safe."

He nodded, then turned on the bed, wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me back until he was lying on the bed with me lying on my stomach on top of him. "I'll go, then. I'll take a cab."

I laid my head on his chest so I could hear his heartbeat, and nodded. "I love you."

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "I love you, Sugar."

I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and looked at the clock. It was past ten, Jack had already left. My stomach sank. I brushed my teeth and fed the cats before going to the kitchen. There was a note on the island. 'Sugar, Didn't want to wake you. Be back soon. Love Jack.' Not knowing what else to do, I started cleaning the apartment. Dusting, washing the windows, mopping the floors. Anything I could do to keep my mind occupied. By the time I was done all that, it was nearly one o'clock. It felt like Jack should have been home by now.

Sighing, my eyebrows knit together with worry, I sat down on the edge of his desk and looked out the window onto the street below. I'd see him on his way home from here, and there was no sign of him yet. I looked at the clock again to make sure I hadn't misread. I hadn't, it was one now. I brought my feet up onto the windowsill and rested my chin on my knees. A few minutes later, I was rewarded with the sight of Jack trudging home in the snow. "Take a cab, my ass," I grumbled. He looked up to the window and when he saw me, gave a wave and a smile. I was so happy to see him, I returned both. He made a snowball and teasingly tossed it up towards the window, missing by a mile. I laughed. He continued to clown around for a moment, and was about to go inside when a black van pulled up to the curb alongside of him and the sliding door flew open. I shouted his name, but he couldn't hear me, and if he could have it wouldn't have made a difference. Two men grabbed him. One of them, the smaller man from last night, the other I didn't recognize. The door closed and the van took off.

I rushed to the phone and picked it up. Jack's voice echoed in my head: "Never call the cops." I slammed the phone down and yelled in frustration. I grabbed my purse and hurriedly left the apartment. If I couldn't call the cops, then I'd have to go talk to someone who could help me. I had to go to the Wild Card Club and track down Warren. This whole mess was his fault. Why couldn't he have just brought the gun to Jack?

I shivered on the curb, as I hadn't thought to grab my jacket and was wearing short sleeves. I hailed a cab for myself and got in quickly when he stopped. "Wild Card Club, please," the driver nodded and drove me right there. I threw some crumpled bills at him and rushed out of the car. I

It wasn't too busy on a Tuesday afternoon, thankfully, so I didn't have to deal with a crowd. I recognized Andy at the bar and quickly approached him. "Kaylie, hey," he said, surprise apparent in his voice. "What are you doing here? Jack's not-"

"I know, I know, I don't have time," I cut him off. "I need to find Warren, is he here?"

"Warren? Kaylie, I can't-" I cut him off again.

"Andy! This is important. Jack's in trouble. I need Warren," I explained. "Now."

Andy looked torn, but ultimately picked up the phone behind the bar with a huff. I heard him mumble a few quick things to someone on the other end before he hung up. "He's here. I can take you to see him," he came around the bar and led me by the elbow. "C'mon."

I followed him through a storage room, where food and booze was kept, and to a small door on the other side. He knocked twice before pushing the door open, gesturing for me to go inside. I did, and was surprised when Andy shut the door behind me without coming in.

"Kaylie," I heard a man's voice say, and turned to see an older man sitting behind a wooden desk. "Jack's Kaylie?" I nodded. "Warren. What's goin' on?"

I took a shaky breath. "Jack was on his way home from his meeting with you today and some men in a van kidnapped him," my voice was unsteady, despite my efforts, worsened by the uneasy feeling of being left in a room with this stranger.

He stood and walked slowly around his desk, bright blue eyes narrowed, greying hair combed back. He was tall, fit and wore a nice suit. "You saw this happen?"

I nodded. "From the window."

"How many men?" He walked past me and pushed a button on the wall by the door.

"At least three?" I guessed. "Two of them pulled him into the van. One of them from last night."

Before he could answer me, someone appeared in the doorway, obviously summoned by that button. "Go get me Roman, Chucky and Zane," the man nodded and left. "Sit down, sweetheart," he gestured to a chair in front of his desk as he walked back around it to sit down himself. He paused before sitting, looking at me. Under his gaze, I sat, after which he followed suit. "So, what can you tell me about this van?"

I shrugged, wringing my hands in my lap. "I don't know. Black. No windows. Couldn't make out the plates."

He nodded. "I figured as much," he picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Gerry. Tell him it's Warren," he smiled kindly at me as he waited for someone on the other end. "Hey, you just pickin' up my guys now?" He said with a dangerous smile in his voice. "We had an agreement, Gerry. He's a good kid, and we got us a worried gal on our hands here," another pause, the smile dropped from his face. "That's not gonna happen," he said darkly. "I want him back alive in one piece, and I want him by tonight, Gerry, or we're gonna have a problem, do you get me?" Warren was nodding as the other man spoke. "Bring him to the docks. We'll be waiting for you," Click.

"What are they doing with Jack?" I asked worriedly.

Warren gave a "calm down" gesture with his hand. "Nothing he hasn't handled before. We're gettin' him back, doll, Gerry doesn't want the kind of trouble he's being offered," he assured me.

"Is there a phone I can use? I need to call my boss," I looked at the clock.

"No, don't do that. Go to work. Everything's fine. One of my boys'll take you in and pick you up, bring you back to where Jack will be," Warren offered.

"I really don't think I'll be of any use to them tonight," I shook my head.

Warren stared me hard in the eye. "Then make yourself of use to them. Go to work. Everything's fine," he repeated slowly.

I nodded, understanding. Soon after that, I was at work. Thankfully a dead Tuesday night. I avoided most conversation under the ruse that I was in a bad mood because of an argument with Jack and everyone left me alone with it, though I was sure to be grilled about it later. The minutes ticked by too slowly, and by the time two A.M. came around, I was so anxious to get out of there to see Jack that I left closing duties to the others and just left.

Warren's guy was waiting for me outside when I got out there and, just as it was on the way to work earlier, the drive was quiet. We weren't driving to my apartment, nor were we driving to the club. I could only assume we were on our way to the docks, where Warren had told Gerry to meet him with Jack. I took a deep breath as an old warehouse came into view and the car pulled to a stop in front of it. I got out of the car, but waited for the driver to lead the way. I followed him to the door and followed him inside after he had opened it. I saw Warren standing and talking to a man wearing surgical gloves and covered from gloves to shirt in fresh blood.

Seeing me enter, Warren took his leave of the conversation and approached me. "We need to talk."

A/N - Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long updating. I have had the chapter done for a while, but wasn't happy with it, so I've been doing lots of editing the past few days. Next one shouldn't take so long to get up. Thanks go to all reading, reviewing, faving and following, who continue to make me smile. Hope you all like this chapter!