Author's Note: NaomilovesJelsa: Thank you! And you'll see what happens in this chapter. Elvisrules41: Good, I'm glad you like her. I wanted to make sure I portrayed her character the right way. That WINNER: Well, here's the next chapter. And thank you! Mystery girl: Thank you so much! I was trying to make a character that was changed from the old Jessica, but still Jessica. You're very welcome. It's a privilege to interact with my reviewers and I love doing it :)
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Jessica's gaze flickered to her wrist. "Goodness, it's about 3am—"

"What?!" Elsa ran her fingers through her horrendously tangled hair, grimacing. She must look like a mess.

"Yep. I think you slept for a while. Which is very good, considerin' everything you've been through. My shift's about up, but I'll bring you somethin' to eat before I leave."

"Thank you," Elsa murmured.

"No problem. It's the least I can do," Jessica assured her before disappearing out of the waiting room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Elsa stood and stretched. With a stiff back, she made her way over to the window and parted the curtains tentatively. The sky was overcast with dark clouds, blocking the stars and moon. She yanked the curtains back into place and seated herself at the couch. The door swung open just as she sat down. A wonderful, delicious smell wafted into the room. Jessica plopped a white paper bag, with colorful strings of words printed on the front, onto the coffee table. She set a purple drink down beside it, the condensation dripping down the plastic cup.

"Can't ever go wrong with smoothies. I'm gonna go. If you need me, just ask one of the nurses to call Jessica. I've got some stuff I wanna do."

Elsa offered Jessica a small smile. "Thank you."

"Anytime, sister." With that, she disappeared out of the waiting room.

Elsa eagerly dug into the bag, pulling out a large container of fries and a big mac. She easily polished off the meal in minutes, ending with the wild berry smoothie. She sighed and tossed the miscellaneous paper in the trash. Guided by a nurse, she easily found the restroom facilities. Elsa gawked at her reflection. Saying that she looked worse than usual would be an understatement. Dark half circles were smeared under her eyes, contrasted oddly with her pale, pale skin. Her hair was an absolute mess. Usually, Elsa had it tamed into a bun. Wisps of platinum hair flew everywhere and strands interwove into snags and tangles. Her hair hung limply down her shoulders. And her lips. Her lips were cracked and raw, scabbed over. Elsa took in her ragged appearance once more and grimaced. She looked hideous. Sometimes it was a wonder why Jack wanted her at all. Elsa reached out and touched her reflection's finger. She finger combed her hair, which did little to help. She felt dirty, filthy. She could feel the invisible grime all over her. It made her skin crawl. Elsa had the sudden urge to scrub her lips again. She took a paper towel and gently rubbed her lips, which only made them bleed more. Elsa grimaced. She propped her elbows on either side of the sink and lowered her head so her fingers combed through her hair. She berated herself for worrying about her reflection, when she should be thinking about Jack. She left the bathroom without casting the mirror another glance.

She seated herself on the couch in the waiting room and fiddled with a lock of her hair. A few minutes later, a nurse opened the door, telling her she could see Jack. Elsa followed her down a long hallway before she was entered a small room. The nurse left her. Jack lay on the bed, his form still and pale, though he had more color than before. He was asleep, his strong chest rising and falling gently. There was a tall metal pole with bags of water and blood. Her eyes followed the translucent rubes to where they were injected in Jack's arm. Her stomach suddenly clenched. Elsa frantically grabbed the trash bin and regurgitated her big mac. Disgusted, partially with herself, Elsa wiped her mouth. She turned back to Jack, studiously avoiding his arm where the iv was inserted. Her fingers feathered across his prominent, handsome features. She gently tousled his silky white tresses, glinting silver in the light. She stroked his jaw, scratchy from a few days without shaving.

She blinked away tears. "I'm so sorry, Jack."

He stirred slightly, but didn't wake. Elsa seated herself beside the bed and clutched his hand, as if it were her lifeline. The door creaked open.

"Excuse me, ma'm, you have to go. The doctor's going to examine him."

Elsa's heart clenched at the thought of leaving him, but she stood, kissing his knuckles before she left.

Elsa sharply inhaled the moist air. Upon hearing that they were from out of town and that she didn't have a hotel, they allowed her to use the showers. Jessica had generously brought several toiletries and necessities. Elsa dragged a cheap, plastic comb through her long tresses. There was something inexplicably refreshing about taking a shower. She rolled her shoulder back and tugged on her clothes, which were clinging to her moist skin. Elsa tossed her wet hair behind her as she stepped into the waiting room. Jessica was seated on the couch, her legs crossed. An anchorman, his hair gelled into submission, announced local events with a broad, white smile.

"It's kind of a gray day out there. Meteorologist Diana Tilley will give you this week's forecast in a few minutes. Plus do you keep getting those calls from telemarketers? A new survey says you're not alone. More on why the do-not-call list doesn't necessarily matter, when we get back."

Elsa felt a warm bag land on her lap. She turned towards Jessica. "You don't have to keep on buying me meals."

Jessica waved her concern aside with a dismissive motion of her hand, not taking her eyes off of the TV screen as they advertised Oreo cookies. Elsa dug into the bag. Elsa sank her teeth into a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, quickly jerking her head back when the piping hot biscuit nearly burned her mouth. Elsa touched a finger to the biscuit, instantly cooling it before she took another, much more satisfying bite. With the TV still blaring, Elsa discovered that having Jessica's presence nearby was comforting. Though nothing—no one—could ever take Jack's place. With each passing hour, she missed him twice as much. Her ears perked up at the sound of a familiar name.

"Hans Westergard and his two older brothers were arrested earlier today for the purchase and distribution of illegal weaponry throughout the United States. They've been wanted for years and have finally been apprehended in Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, the police refuse to comment, but it's believed that they had someone who tipped them off. Whether it's a former client of the Westergards, a rival, or an observant citizen, we don't know—"

Elsa's mouth fell open. "That's—"

"Hans," Jessica finished bitterly, almost knowingly. She picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip.

"But how…" Elsa blinked several times, stunned by the turn of events.

Jessica shrugged and swirled her coffee. "Maybe some sort of karma."

"Or someone's interference." Elsa glanced pointedly at Jessica.

Jessica shrugged, her face unreadable. "They deserved it."

Elsa's eyes widened. "You tipped the police, didn't you?"

Jessica shrugged again, sipping her coffee so she didn't have to speak.

"But how did you know—"

"Most people have something they could be arrested for. The Westergards haven't sold weapons for years. They probably forgot all about it. Wonder what could've distracted them from selling Class C weaponry," Jessica murmured, though judging from her tone, Jessica knew exactly what had distracted them.

Elsa sighed. Had Jessica always been this smart? "Well, how did you find it?"

"Didn't I tell you I was a bit of a computer whiz?"

"Oh."

"And I'm not done with those boys yet."

"What? Why not?"

"Because I can't stand someone who would prey after the defenseless, to those who didn't do anything to them." A sudden anger sparked within her dark eyes. Her knuckled whitened as she slammed the cup of coffee onto the table.

"But what else can you do?"

"You underestimate me, hon. Trust me, I'll find something. There are a couple mysterious disappearances connected to them. I'll bet I can get somethin' out of that." The smoldering anger in her eyes seemed to ebb.

"Oh." Elsa fell silent.

Jessica glanced at her watch. "You might be able to see Jack now. Wanna check?"

Elsa eagerly bobbed her head. Jessica stood and Elsa followed her out the door. Jessica tapped twice on a door and talked with a nurse before the door was swung wide-open, revealing Jack laying on a hospital bed. Elsa timidly stepped into the room as Jessica ushered the nurse out. Rays of light peered through the blinded windows. Elsa stepped closer towards Jack. He still had the iv in his arm, but it was only the fluids. They'd removed the bag of blood. Elsa slid her fingers across Jack's cheek. Her breath caught when his bright azure eyes fluttered open. Her fingers ghosted across his face. Jack reached up and grasped her hand, interweaving their fingers. His warm touch sent her heart racing.

"You had me worried for a second there."

He smiled weakly and his eyes darted around the room before resting on her face. "Where am I?" His voice was hoarse and husky from disuse. "As angelic as you look, I doubt I'd have an iv in heaven."

Elsa smiled gently, feeling the glowing warmth return to her. "Who says you'd go to heaven?"

"Touché." He squeezed her hand lightly. He gently tugged, bringing her down towards him until her face hovered inches above his. "What happened to your lips?"

Elsa pulled back and covered her lips with her free hand. "Nothing."

The furrow between his brows deepened. "Is something wrong? What happened?" he asked again, his voice becoming stronger.

She shook her head, still covering her lips with her fingertips.

"Elsa," he scolded.

"Jessica's here."

He blinked several times. "What?"

"Jessica's here. From school."

"Oh. Oh…"

"She knows. But she says she won't tell."

Jack frowned again. "We have to get out of here." He sat up.

Elsa gently pushed him back down. "Hans and his brothers have been arrested."

Jack snorted. "And I imagine someone else is going to arrest the government?"

Elsa's shoulders slumped. "Oh… Jack, you have to stay in the hospital."

"No, Elsa. We're leaving."

"Jack, we can't!"

"Elsa, I failed in protecting you last time. I failed. Do you hear me?" He grasped her shoulders and shook her gently. "And I won't fail again. We're leaving."

Elsa frantically shook her head as Jack swung his legs over the bed. "We can't," she insisted.

"Yes, we can. And we're going to."

"I have a better idea," piped up a voice. Elsa whirled around to see Jessica, leaning her hip against the doorway.