Chapter 21
"Are you sure this is a good idea Jose?" Johanna's eyes locked with his, and he gave a quick nod.
"I have a nice place up in Scotland. You'd love it, and besides, it would be better there, then here." He gave a smile.
"And my boss agreed to transfer me up there." He rubbed the back of his neck. He kept giving her a small smile. Johanna, was sitting up in the bed, hands on her stomach, her eyes narrowed at him. She chewed on her bottom lip, as her eyes closed. Johanna was tired, she wanted nothing more than to sleep. Jose reached over, touching her hand. She interlocked fingers; her eyes opened as she looked at him. Her heart was heavy, she missed Jeff, more then she should.
"How could he leave the baby? How could he leave me…?" Tears surfaced, holding his hand. Jose sucked air through his teeth. How was he going to reply to that? Jose's eyes lowered to the bed, shaking his head slowly.
"I…I guess he just lost too much blood Jo." She sniggered.
"Never stopped him before…" She moved, letting his hand go. She stared at the empty white walls.
"Is it beautiful there?" She asked, Jose perked up.
"Gorgeous…the house is paid off, we don't have to worry about anything, but the normal bills." He started to get excited, his eyes twinkling, Johanna looked at him, eyes dead, she just took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
"I have to move all of my things…" She chewed her bottom lip.
"Y'know Jose…deep inside, I feel like, Jeff isn't really dead…" Her eyes became dark.
"You better had not lied to me…or else…" Jose raised his hands.
"I swear…" He felt his voice crack, and she looked away, laying her head back on the pillows.
"Please…I'm tired…I want to sleep…" Jose grasped her hand again, holding her there.
"I promise, I'll take care of you Johanna, I won't let anything hurt you ever again…" He stood, leaning forward he placed a kiss on her head. Johanna kept her tongue to herself, he watched her close her eyes, pulling the blankets up to her chin.
Jose, stood straight, and went to the door.
"I mean good on my promise Johanna…"
…
Once Jose left, Johanna let her tears flow. She missed Jeff, she missed Joanna…she didn't know what to do. Tony was dead, she saw that…but there was no body, saying Jeff had died. Was Jose lying to her? How was she going to raise her baby? Her chest tightened, as she sobbed silently. Everything was dark, she couldn't see…what was going to happen now? Johanna buried her face into her pillow and let out a scream, from the bottom of her heart.
"How dare he leave me…how dare he leave me like this…he shouldn't have died…" She closed her eyes tighter, trembling.
"He knew what state I was in…he knew about it…and yet he decided to die…that fucker! All the plans I had…everything I wanted…fell to pieces…how the hell can I find my way out of this darkness? I feel just as bad if not worse…when Joanna left me." She laid there, staring at the door. She had kept counting down the weeks. As she kept counting, her stomach had gotten bigger, and bigger, through the days, she had thought once or twice she might have had more than one. The doctors had kept reassuring her that, there was only one baby. A healthy, beautiful baby…
…
Jeff laid out in his bed, skin encrusted with dirt, and blood. He stared at the cealing, an itch that won't stop bothering him. Something in the back of his mind, kept screaming that she wasn't gone. That, she was still here, something…deep inside of him vibrating…the pain kept singing, pushing him forward. Jeff, sat up, the room had started to spin around him. He got to his feet, he had to ask Ben if he could help him. Even if it was just for peace of mind. The entire mansion was carpeted, the walls covered with pictures, or paintings. Vases lined the shelves, beautiful stain glass windows…the halls were painted a soft red…he didn't care.
He kept making turns, head hung low, hair clinging to his shoulders. The red turned electric blue, he stopped at the door. Raising his knuckles, and he started to rap.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
He stopped, lowered his arm, his body felt heavy, the door cracked open, a blood red eye meeting Jeff.
"Well, well, if it isn't the pshyco asshole. What do you want?" He asked, opening the door further.
"I need your help." He replied.
Ben, standing in place, looking like a spiting image of Link, for the exception of the sharp talon like nails, teeth, and blood red eyes, his grin turned into a frown real fast. He kept watching Jeff, watching his movements…he curled up his nose.
"Dude, you smell…you need a shower."
"Help me…please…" Jeff's voice cracked, Ben took in a deep breath and sighed, pulling the door open, allowing Jeff in.
"Don't sit on anything." He snapped. Jeff, shuffled inside the room, his eyes still casted downward. He didn't notice all the electronics hanging around the walls, the huge computer, or the large television with nearly all game systems ever thought of.
"What do you need?" He asked. When Jeff looked up Ben's face paled; Jeff's cheeks had nearly sunken in, his eyes were dark, circles surrounded them, and his cut smile, was down in a perminant frown. Within the dark crimson of his face, tears had cut a river through, cleaning his skin. Ben, took a step back.
"Dude, you look like shit…" He couldn't say anything else. He was almost stunned into silence.
"I need you to look for someone. Someone who means the world to me…" Ben lifted his chin.
"I feel like I was lied too…about someone who matters the most to me…" His eyes were deeper than the pits of hell, Ben, felt his skin go cold.
"I was told, she was dead…can you find her death certifict?" He asked. Ben, gave a nod.
"What's her name?" He asked.
"Johanna-Mae…she had a twin sister named Joanna-Lee. You can't miss it. Not many have their names…" He sat down on the floor, and Ben stood there looking at him, dumb founded.
"O-okay." He turned, and sat down on his computer chair, running his fingers over the keys. Jeff, wanted to go to sleep, he fell back against Ben's carpeted floor, laying still, he was tired…too tired. After a long period of silence, Ben finally spoke.
"Nothing on her. Just her sister. Joanna-Lee, death by stabbing…seventeen times. Six weeks pregnant…damn…someone wanted her dead alright…" Silence followed for another moment or two.
"Last name Maxwell?" Ben turned to look over his shoulder, and Jeff nodded.
"Only the sister, theres no death records of a Johanna-Mae Maxwell." He turned around. Tilting his head.
"There is, however someone registerd by that name, at Mercy Hospital, in Miami Flordia." He leaned forward.
"Birthday, October 31, 1992?" He asked, Jeff sat up, a small bit of life returning to his eyes.
"Is there a picture of her? What's her status?" He asked, Ben shook his head.
"Only thing that it says, was that she was in a medical induced coma for about six months." He looked back at the screen.
"Andddddd she was brought in, by Officer Mikael, Jose. Sound famillar?" He asked, Jeff nodded, clenching his fists.
"That was the dude who saved you Jeff." Ben's eyes started to drip blood, his elf outfit, had become dark with water.
"What are you doing with this girl Jeff?" He asked, Jeff looked up at him.
"She's the girl I couldn't kill. She's the girl, I fell in love with…the girl I want to be with…" He sighed.
"It's a long story Ben…just tell me where she is." Jeff said looking at him, Ben turned around, and clicked against the keyboard a few more times, shaking his head.
"Clean everything, she went to college for English, Litature, History…and criminal justice, she paid her bills…worked at seven eleven for a year…nothing unusual-"
"Is she leaving anytime soon?" Jeff started to stand, and Ben shook his head.
"Not that I can see…everything looks like she's staying in one place; hey I know it's none of my business…but what the hell are you thinking bro?" He turned around, and Jeff was standing over him already. His eyes running over the screen.
"He might be taking her somewhere…" He said, looking back at Ben.
"Look into his account, and tell me anything you find, I need to start packing. I knew she wasn't dead." He stood straight, his breathing was easier, his skin turning back to the regular pale.
"I swear I'm going to gut him like the pig he is…" He growled. Ben's fingers flew over the keyboard, Jeff was pacing, his stomach growling for food. It had been too long since he had something to eat.
"I knew she wasn't dead…I KNEW it…that fucking bastard!" He placed his hand over his face, laughing.
Ben, ignoring him, went to work on his computer, his eyes narrowing.
"She's really pretty Jeff…just so you know…her sister wasn't much, but Johanna? I understand why you didn't want to kill her." Jeff went silent, Ben watched his keyboard leave his fingertips as he was lifted up, and tossed.
"Wha-?" He screeched, as his body hit the wall. Jeff was panting, eyes wild.
"I've lost her twice now you fucking ELF!" He screamed, spit flying from his mouth.
"I'll be fucking damned if I lost her again due to you!" He walked up, fists clenched. Ben, was looking up at Jeff, his eyes bleeding, mouth in a piercing smile.
"I'd suggest you calm down Jeff, I'm trying to help you dude." Ben was pushing himself up, as Jeff watched him.
"You better not do that, to your little toy." Ben brushed himself off, as he flopped back down on his chair. His eyes glued to the screen. Jeff huffed again.
"She's NOT MY TOY!" Jeff shouted, Ben took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Besides…I'd never lay a hand on her…" He crossed his arms.
"Apparently your copper friend has a house, in Ireland. Huh. Nice place." Jeff coughed.
"How am I going to get all the way over there?" He fell back, sitting on his ass. He looked around the room, noticing how dark it was…the room was lit up, by the television and computer screen. Posters hung on the wall, of various games, and techno bands, Jeff, looked at the bed. It was a simple, single bed, with one sheet, and one pillow.
"Don't sleep much do you Ben?" He asked, Ben chuckled.
"Little do you know Jeff, I know everything." He cracked a smile, and hit a button.
"Apparently, they're leaving in about a month." He turned around.
"You should talk to the big man. He might help you." He shrugged. Jeff looked at Ben.
"I'm sorry…" Ben cocked a brow, tilting his head.
"You're sorry?" He asked. Jeff nodded.
"For throwing you against the wall…" Ben shrugged.
"Hey, I've had worse. Come on, you go talk to the big man, and we'll see from there." Ben offered a smile, and Jeff returned it.
…
Johanna laid in bed, holding the beautiful baby boy. He had bright brown eyes, a tuff of brown hair, and he was screaming. She pulled her gown down from the neck and gave her breast to the child. He latched on with ease. Jose stood by her side, smiling. The child was so small, barely over six pounds. But he ate like a sport, he was a very hungry child. Jose rubbed the babys head, and Johanna smiled brightly. The baby's mouth suckled, as she laid back.
"When can I leave?" She asked, Jose shook his head slowly.
"You have to wait at least two days, then we can leave, head right to the airport, and go to Ireland." Johanna gasped, looking at him.
"I haven't bought anything for the baby!" She held her child close, and Jose smiled.
"I already got everything we need. Even a breast pump. Please Johanna, you've got to leave!" Johanna's eyes narrowed at him.
"What are you hiding Jose?" She asked, Jose's face drained of color, as he sighed gently. He had to come up with something, and something fast.
"Tony has people after us, we need to go as soon as your able. I don't know when they could attack…" Johanna looked him over, gently running her hand over her baby's head. He cooed gently.
"Alright, alright…as soon as we can, we will leave." She sighed. He gave a weak smile.
"Do you know what you're naming him?" He asked. Johanna finally cracked a big smile.
"Victor." She kissed the top of his head gently.
"He's so beautiful." He had stopped suckling, as his eyes closed. Jose stood, and gave another smile.
"You two rest, I'll be back in a few days to help you pack, and then we will be on our way, to our new lives…worry free." Johanna nodded, and gave him another smile.
"Thank you Jose, I know I haven't said it nearly enough, but…truly…thank you." Jose gave a big grin, his braces glimmering, with his straight white teeth.
"You mean the world to me, of course I'd help you." Her eyes went to her beautiful baby boy, fast asleep.
"He looks like him…" Jose said, she lifted her head, looking at him.
"Jeff?" She asked, Jose gave a nod.
"I've seen pictures of him, before he…went well you know, crazy." He leaned forward giving the top of his head kiss.
"I have to go make a few calls. I'll ask a security guard to stand watch. Alright? We don't need anymore hell, we've been through enough." His eyes, seemed as if he was telling the truth. Johanna, kept her baby close. Her hospital room opened, as a nurse walked in, wearing brightly colored scrubs.
"Alright, I'm going to go ahead and take him." She gave a smile, and Johanna, handed Victor over. She didn't want to let him go…she had already let his father go…
"Please bring him back soon…I don't want him out of my sight for too long…" Her voice was heavy, watching the nurse nod, and walk from the room. Jose gave a smile, touching the top of her head.
"He'll be fine." She felt the tears rise to her eyes.
"I never got to say good bye to Jeff…" Her voice cracked. Jose face went soft.
"Johanna, the baby will be fine. I have to go okay? I'll see you in a bit."
Johanna watched him leave, she was left alone…once again. No one here with her, her heart sunk, her pain going deeper than before. Closing her eyes, she could see him, with that cut smile, holding their son. Tears trickled down her cheeks, as she allowed herself to silently cry.
…
"So you knew she was alive?!" Jeff snapped, Slender, sitting in his office, sipped at his coffee. His face was slack, body relaxed.
"Yes. I knew. I didn't tell you, because you would have gotten up, and ran off before your wounds were even healed. You were suffering a severe infection, that even E.J thought he couldn't work with." His jaw went tight.
"I wasn't allowing you to kill yourself Jeff." He leaned forward, placing his coffee down on the desk. Jeff stood straight, hands at his sides, muscles relaxed.
"I've gone through hell for that damn woman! I almost had gotten killed to save her! And this is what I get?! No one telling me that she's still alive?! What about my baby?!" He shouted, Jeff watched his face turned sorrowful.
"What I was told by Jose, was that she lost the child. He called this morning." He watched as Jeff fell back into the chair, his chest rising slowly. He had to remain calm…remain calm…
"She lost the baby…?" He whispered, Slender nodded slowly.
"I need to go see her…she needs me Slender…she needs me more now then ever…" He started to stand, Slender cleared his throat.
"I've been through what you're going through…I know the pain of losing a child. I lost my son when Annika was born. They were twins." Slender stood, Jeff had to look at him.
"I know the pain Jeff, and I agree. She needs you more now then ever…go to her. Don't keep her waiting. I can help you get there if you wish. Ireland, is a long walk." He watched his cheeks move up, in a mock smile.
"I can get you on the shore, but that's as far as we can help you. Now, I'll tell you now, keep your distance, just for a bit. He's going to be on edge for a few months. Do what you're good at." He nodded to the door.
"I hope you get what you want Jeff. I really do."