One week later, Jack was breathing air as a free man. Air that smelled more like fine leather and whiskey with the smog of cigarette smoke hovering around him. A crystal chandelier hung high overhead. Sapphire blue carpeting trailed up the stairs, matching the velvet curtains draped over the windows. To keep out lookie-loos. Mahogany woodwork, blue and green everywhere. Crystal cut lamps and candelabras that made the room glitter like starlight. Just the way Manny liked it. But really, to Jack, this was like returning home.

"Well if it ain't the man of the hour. Cheat Death again, Jackie boy?"

Jack's devil may care smile slid into place. He cast his wicked grin upon Bunny. Despite Bunny's jokes, he truly did worry that Jack had flirted a little too closely with Death. Jack too knew that he had gotten too close for anyone's comfort. It was why Manny had gone to such lengths to keep him alive - kidnapping Aqua, negotiation terms with her and making sure she did his after care. Manny looked after his people, especially when they were hurt. But they would have to look into having a doctor on the payroll for the future.

"Right as rain thanks to my little Raindrop!" he chirped.

Bunny snorted. "The sheila? Bet she was delighted."

Jac scowled over the sarcastic response. Like he needed reminding of his cold reception by the nurse. Despite his best attempts, Nurse Aquamarine only remained closed off and aloof during his stay with her. She was kind and open with everyone but him. She thought he was a criminal, scum even, but she still saw to his stitches and his injuries. She might have looked at him the same way a mouse looks at a cat, but she had remained there, even staying long enough for him not to feel entirely lonely. Bunny roared with laughter upon seeing Jack's dour expression.

"Not use ta being turned down, mate?"

Jack gave Bunny a shove before sitting down. The Aussie was laughing so hard he was clutching his sides. Jack himself was still tender and trying his best not to jostle his sides too much. The stitches would be removed in a week or so. He would go back to the hospital to get them taken out, but until then, he was free to be out and about as long as he took things easy. Aqua had been quite firm about proper resting and no 'extracurricular' activities.

"Glad you find it amusing." Jack groused.

"I'm jest glad there's a sheila out there that ain't trippin' ov'r herself ta fall on yer staff." Bunny replied.

As his scowl grew deeper, Bunny's smirk of satisfaction grew broader. If Jack hadn't been under strict orders to take things lightly, he would have strangled Bunny. He just didn't think Aqua would appreciate seeing him again so soon if he disobeyed. She seemed quite ready to wash her hands of him when he checked out of the hospital. Jack himself wasn't sure whether he wanted to see the broad again or not. She had been most unpleasant at first but the more he spoke to her, the more he told her, the more uncertain she became and the less hostile she had acted towards him.

"I would have gotten her if I had more time."

Bunny gave an unconvinced 'uh huh' before waving down the barkeep. Despite the prohibition laws in place, Manny always had good booze on hand. Especially in headquarters. North kept some on him, which was what Aqua used to clean his wounds when she ran into him. The vodka burned like nobody's business, but he hadn't gotten an infection. That she thought to ask had been… interesting. Still, after what he went through, Jack needed a drink. At least that was easily fixed.

"Besides," Jack continued. "The dame was a wallflower. By the book type."

Bunny laughed wickedly. "Maybe I'd have more luck with her?"

"She thought you were going to eat her," Jack said, fighting a protective tone from his voice, "And not in a good way."

Bunny shrugged, clearly not put out by the news. It wasn't the first time a potential plaything refused them because of their occupation. It wouldn't be the last either. Jack had gotten short with Aqua when she got preachy with him. He shouldn't have let it feel so personal. Everything she had seen in the papers had been true but so had everything he had said. Instead, he let himself get sucked into talks of morals and honor.

"Eh, who needs a broad like that?"

"Exactly."

Only Jack wasn't so sure he really felt that way. Aqua had rolled with the punches and had swung a few of her own so to speak. She hadn't taken his crap. She even appeared to take what Jack said to mind the first day. She hadn't been as quick to judge him after that. Then there was the surprising fact she hadn't drooled over him. She had admonished the other nurses for doing so.

Aqua wasn't like other dames he met. She was serious about work and her patients. Even though he annoyed her, she still made time in her day to bring him his meals. She saved time to talk to him. She didn't forget to bring him reading material even though that was a step above and beyond normal care. She might not have smiled at him the way he saw her smile at other patients but she was dedicated to helping him however she could. Honor bound to care for her patients no matter who they were. Manny couldn't have found a better nurse if he tried.

"What are ya gonna do when ya see her to get those removed?" Bunny asked, gesturing to the stitches just visible under his button up collar.

"Not sure yet." Jack admitted.

"Mate, if ya can get 'er ta drop 'er guard, I'll buy ya a cold one every day for a month ."

Jack raised a brow. A second chance to win over the aloof nurse? He wasn't sure he could do it in one meeting. Maybe if he really turned on the charm. It would certainly be a challenge, but since when did Jack back down from a challenge? He lived for new challenges. Besides, a beer every day for a month? Especially if Jack got to pick what he wanted. Manny had some really good brews.

The idea wasn't entirely without merit. He would get to change the mind of someone who had been so against him. Wouldn't Manny be happy to have a medical professional on their side? Someone who could patch them up whenever they got hurt. Someone who didn't ask questions. Plus, he'd be lying if he said he didn't like the fact she didn't swoon immediately for him. Winning her over would be a real feather in his cap.

"I suppose that wouldn't be so bad," Jack mused.

Aqua was the finest of challenges. She had to have some soft spots behind her tough shield. It would be amusing enough to give it a try. There wasn't anything he could lose from swaying her. If anything, even if she was just on friendlier terms, they still benefitted. He wouldn't deny being curious about her, especially with her hostility to the local gangs. As far as Jack was aware, the Guardians had never had any business with her before bringing her in to tend to him. That in itself had just been she was in the 'right place at the right time' situation.

If she just hated them because of their lifestyle, then he was some sort of hypocrite, but Jack was certain that he could warm her disposition. He would likely have to play his cards smart in order to do so. A strategy game, he told himself, to win her to their side. It had been awhile since the Guardians took on a new member. But a doctor (or rather a nurse) would be someone worth having among their ranks.

"You're actually going ta try?" Bunny laughed.

"Sure," Jack shrugged. "It could be fun."

Bunny gave a snort. Jack grinned and took a drink, enjoying the way the alcohol burned on the way down. Yeah, he couldn't get any of this in the hospital. They had a few challenges like that. Most dames were eager for their attention. Something attractive about the danger, they said, until real danger showed up. But Aqua kept her cool in a tough situation. It was rather refreshing to have someone who didn't let her fear consume her or give him any special treatment because he was a gangster.