Of Unsent Letters and Unwritten Memoirs
By Kochan
Chapter 6 (Part2): Armistice
She was going to kill him. More than half an hour and still no sign of him. Lei Fang shivered; clubbing attire provided little protection from the cold. No girl deserved to be kept waiting like this…not on Xmas eve…not ever! Jann Lee was going to have to give a bloody good explanation to get out of this one. She couldn't help but feel concerned though; Jann Lee was never late.
But wait, he was coming. she could make out his trademark gait anywhere. A sigh of relief first as her eyes closed. Then her eyebrows knitted together, her lips curled into a pout as anger rose to the surface. She'd thought through a hundred things to blast him with, a hundred different pieces of her mind to deliver.
Then she noticed his soiled clothes, his hand clutched at his shoulder. Her own hands came to her mouth to stifle the gasp as she saw the gash on his cheek.
"Oh God." she whispered to herself before running to him, arms lowering to fold about her body as she begin to shiver again, this time from shock. Her widened eyes screamed the questions in silence, the questions she was too shocked to find the words for. Jann Lee's own eyes showed nothing at first, but then she saw what had to be a brief sting of guilt there before he averted them.
"Sorry." He managed after a long pause.
Hearing his voice, she found her own tongue, "What hap...I mean...how could, who wou...".
"I'll take you home," he followed in that same monotonous tone, not seeming to have heard her. With a grunt and a frown, he slipped his jacket off and draped it over her bare shoulders as she stared in stunned silence. Then he was walking away, leaving her to trail behind.
Cold and caring all at once, as only Jann Lee could be.
* * * *
The short walk to the main MTR interchange in Central only took a few minutes, but to Lei Fang it seemed like hours. She knew Jann Lee was hiding something behind those distant eyes, yet the chill that surrounded him made her too scared to ask. She watched him during the crowded ride as he stood staring into blank space, the void in her stomach growing larger with each passing moment. The torturous minutes passed, the train crossing through the Admiralty exchange and via the under-sea tunnel to Tsim Sha Tsui station. Jann Lee stepped out of the train without a word and they squeezed through the mass of commuters at the station and the nightgoers about the streets above. Lei Fang couldn't help but notice him clutching at his shoulder, her concern mounting with her anxiety.
The crowd thinned as they passed Nathan Road. Two building blocks, an elevator ride every bit as uncomfortable as the train trip and they were standing before the door to Lei Fang's apartment. Lei Fang held the key tight between her fingers, staring at the keyhole as though her gaze alone would unlock the door, the silence eating into her. A huff of frustration, and she shook off the nagging feeling in her stomach, forcing the key through the lock, almost snapping it in the process. The front door swung open and the crisp night air found its way to them once more via the balcony.
Then just as she'd feared, Jann Lee turned to go, "I'm leaving." he muttered.
You can't leave me like this. Not while I know you're hurt.
Lei Fang bit her lip as she searched for something to make him stay. Her eyes flashed to the balcony doors; she swallowed her pride. A loud gasp, a hand to her lips, she caused him to turn back, "Oh my God! Jann Lee, those doors weren't open when I left!" she shrunk back from the doorway, eyes wide to feign fear.
Jann Lee frowned at her for the briefest moment before he brushed passed her to enter the apartment, narrowed eyes sweeping the living room like an eagle for signs of an intruder. He checked the remaining rooms, returning with a single slow shake of his head. She dropped her gaze, wanting him to stay even though she was more than capable of taking care of herself, "I don't feel safe, would you stay a while?"
Releasing a tired sigh, he looked away, seating himself on the sofa. Lei Fang could almost feel him rolling his eyes as she closed the front and balcony doors. She came about to tend to his shoulder, extending her arm out. "Here, let me take a look at that."
Jann Lee pulled away from her, eyes still narrowed, "Don't...touch me."
The harshness in his voice hammered in like a nail into her heart, "I didn't mean..." she came silent, feeling the tears well up in her eyes, hand clamping over her mouth.
"Just get me some ice, Lei Fang." He met her eyes with his own a moment, his tone softened, "Please."
She thought she saw a glimpse of guilt in those eyes and decided to make the most of it, giving him a hurt look before leaving for the kitchen with an audible sniff, lip quivering.
The freezer door groaned as she flung it open, a muttered curse escaping her lips, she'd managed to hold the tears back though.
He's such an arrogant bastard! Why can't he just let someone who honestly cares into his space for just one little moment.
Then another curse; the ice tray was empty. Her fingers were halfway through dialling her neighbour upon her cell phone until she spied the bag lying at the bottom of the drawer.
* * * *
"Sorry, it's all I've got." said Lei Fang as she dropped the pack of peas on the table with a clean dishcloth. A sharp intake of breath and a sigh to follow. She had to show him her pain, if only to get some form of reaction from him.
Jann Lee scratched his temple, then slipped his arm from the shirt sleeve and returned a small nod as his thanks, "It'll do." He wrapped the packet in the cloth and pressed it to his bare shoulder. She winced herself, seeing the grimace etched on his face, the hiss searing his lips. Not staring was difficult, all that training and fighting that he went through toned him, his biceps and shoulder bulk were prime example.
A moment of silence passed between them as she thought how to ask him of the wound, now that he had softened a little. The sound of his voice jerked Lei Fang from her thoughts, "It's warm in here."
Lei Fang blinked, looked up, "Oh?" she hadn't noticed.
Jann Lee nodded, "Would you open a window?"
Lei Fang returned the nod, moving to the balcony doors to throw them open once more. She was greeted by an amused look from Jann Lee as she turned about, "Is that safe?" came the question.
"Oh sure, I usually even have them open when I head out. This is the fifth storey after all." She shrugged.
Jann Lee just smirked, readjusting the make shift ice pack on his shoulder as he looked away.
Oh God! She'd set a trap for herself and stumbled into it like a blind fool. Her cheeks flared with embaressment, with anger at herself and…and…her eyes dashed left & right as she sought a change of topic, a way back out of this, "Um…would you like something to…"
"I think we could both do with a drink, don't you?" Jann Lee interrupted, eyebrow raised. She bit her lip as was habit and nodded faster than an over-enthusiastic puppy before racing to the kitchen.
Mugs, teaspoons, effervescence, she retrieved the chilled water from the fridge…then paused.
He should rest, I'll be able to take far batter care of him that way.
Her eyes flashed to the bottle of Temazepam sleeping pills to the side.
* * * *
She brought the glasses on a tray to the table a moment later, hands almost trembling at the fear of being discovered. "Cordial, I hope it's…"
"Interesting painting." Jann Lee pointed behind her, "Did you do that?"
She whirled about to face the painting which he spoke of, 'The Blooming Flowers and Hundred Birds.' by Wu Meiling
"No Silly! I couldn't paint like that even if my life depended on it." She giggled, glad for the chance to laugh, facing him once more.
Gosh, sometimes he does say the silliest things.
He shrugged, glass already in his hands, raising it in a mock toast . "Cheers." He tipped it back as she watched.
"Sure…" she lifted her own glass and sipped on the cordial, eyes on his face.
A frown crossed his brow, "Something the matter?"
Lei Fang almost choked on her drink as panic seized her heart. "No, no…nothing…really." She drained her glass so as not to arouse any further suspicion.
"Tell me about that painting, Lai Fong." Jann Lee asked in Cantonese, drumming his fingers on his knee.
Lei Fang tilted her head at the oddity of his request. Jann Lee had used Cantonese with her only once or twice in the past, though it did make her feel more at ease. And Jann Lee didn't care much for art either. Nevertheless, she proceeded to relate the tale of her trip to Taiwan and her visit to the Meiling Art memorial Museum where she purchased a copy of the painting.
* * * *
He was getting bored, had to be getting sleepy as well. His image was beginning to blur…wait…something wasn't right. Jann Lee didn't seem himself, his eyes seemed warm, his smile sincere.
"Lai Fong, forgive me for treating you in this manner. There is so much that I have to say to you, yet I cannot for fear of endangering your life." Her breath caught in her throat as he leaned in to plant the softest of kisses on her cheek. Her heart was about to explode! She wanted to much to return his kiss yet she couldn't move, couldn't breathe even.
"I care for you in a way that I shouldn't, and it's something that I'll have to deal with, but for now, take care of yourself. Sing Dan Fai Lok, Lai Fong."
…and the world snapped back to her in the form of the blinding glow overhead, the halogen light forcing her to cover her face with her hand. Lei Fang blinked the sleep from her eyes and looked about. The room still whirled about her but she knew Jann Lee was gone. Somehow he'd known and swapped the drinks, used her own trick against her. She had no doubt of that. Even now she could feel the effects of the drug as her head throbbed with every pulse of her heart. Jann Lee's jacket slipped off her as she sat up and she caught sight of the note that had fallen to the side.
(Thanks for the peas and the drink. Merry Xmas, Jann Lee.
P.S - I think I left my jacket at your place.)
Lei Fang managed a smile, struggling to her feet before staggering to the balcony to gather her thoughts with the aid of some fresh air.
Was that kiss real? Did he really say those things? Or was it all... just a dream?
She didn't know, and was never going to find out for certain. She looked at the note once more and giggled; One thing was for sure, she was going to see him again, and soon.
The deep, bass tone of a foghorn echoed through the night from the nearby ferry terminal as her eyes shut once more, "Merry X'mas, Jann Lee." she whispered.
* * * *
Author's Notes
Tsim Sha Tsui - Main Shopping district in Kowloon. Yes, Lei Fang lives on Kowloon Island, not Hong Kong itself. This is also where the ferry terminal to Macau is located.
Temazepam - Commonly available/used sleeping pills, active ingredient Benzo Diazepine. Being a clubber/student, Lei Fang needs to be able to sleep at any time of the day. *^^* Not particularly potent though.
Wu Meiling - 100+ year old Taiwanese freestyle painting educator. V.good at what he does. Go search him up if you're interested. Here's the painting if you're curious. Nice isn't it?
http://www.artcomma.com.tw/left_link/art_xxx/ML_Wu/ML_Wu/c0703a_L.jpg
Lai Fong - Lei Fang's name in Cantonese. I'm sure most of you would have figured that out.
Yet another 6 weeks. But that's the 2 most difficult chapters out of the way. Contrary to what you might think, JL/LF are NOT my favourite couple even thouugh their part spans 2 chapters and over 5000 words. Anyhows, hope you JL?LF fans got your fix from the last 2 chapters because I WON'T be updating their story beyond this point, not for a LOOOOONG time anyhows. (Got a ton of other fics in the pipeline). Now before I have to start dodging rotten vegetables, (like last time for making ppls wait 6 weeks?), let me get on with the replies. (Don't like replying in reviews themselves)
LeiFang Fan: Soon? My heads already on the block methinks *grin*. Hopefully - that gave you a little bit of a fix for nows.
Unholy Preacher: Longer even in coming, but thank goodness its all done now. But at 2 chapters it shall remain at for now. Love your own stuff, though I'm wondering which one you'll be completing first. IA?
Hanger 18: Dude! Looking forward to seeing your Zack fic completed as well. I haven't been to HK since 10 years ago, but so I hear it a pretty tripped out place.
Dark Angel: Hope you enjoyed it. They're not my fav/strongest couple so it'll be a little while in coming for another one of these. (hang on, I already said that further up) Ah what the. Cheers DA!
Auron: Thanks! Seems as though everyone's going Ryu/Kasumi Lemons these days though.
Zedrick: Thanks once again for the review, Zed. Extension's going to be quite a while in coming yet. No, I can't kill Lei Fang (Annoying as she is) but you just leave things to me and I'm sure I'll come up with some horrible way to torture the poor girl in an sequel/prequel. How's the updates on your side going?
Visitor: No need for an email, Visitor. All you need is some knowledge of a text editor (Like Winword - Heck, I use Wordpad) Feel free to email me if you need some help - kochan@alphalink.com.au We;d LOVE to see a fic from yous.
EvilBug: Not in this fic, EB. 'Finsternis' is an extension (actually its the main fic) from the same universe as this story. This was something that was really meant as a side project to be completed in less than 2 weeks thats stretched out 4 months and even longer!!! Thanks for the review!
Tiger5913: Yeh, Jann Lee is a naughty, naughty little boy alright. Esp if I ever do a prequel I'll show just how much he misbehaved. Well, hope you liked this chap as it's kinda like what you asked for.
Tx all yous for the reviews!
Next Chap - Our lovely French Opera Goddess. On a boat too (No not the Titanic). 3 chapters to go y'all!