AN: Wow, I know its not last Saturday, the day I said I was going to post
again. I'm sooo sorry, I hope you haven't all given up on me; it's been
like what, two weeks since I last posted… Anyhow, this chapter is a revival
from a writers block, very random, but that's how I write. If you all think
this is a bad tangent to stray on, I will not be offended but will replace
it with what I had originally thought to go in chapter 10. Be honest, I
post to please... sort of…ok, I hope you like it, sorry if it seems a bit
short.
An Unexpected Twist
Rory felt almost dizzy as she made her way back towards her car, Jess's hand warm in her grasp. She couldn't believe that she had actually done it, that for once; she had followed her heart, and not her mind. It felt good too, and it scared her. It was like she couldn't think when he was around, like her brain wasn't functioning in the practicality section. She looked over at Jess walking besides her, and he caught her glance and looked back. She no longer felt as though she couldn't met his gaze, she knew she had stepped over a line that she couldn't go back across again, but not for a second did she regret it. She smiled gently at him, and he grinned, giving her hand a little squeeze. His gaze was so intense; he stared deeply into her blue depths, a stare she still couldn't translate. Shaking her head as she reached in her pocket for her keys, she realized that she was glad she couldn't quite figure him out figure him out, he would always remain unpredictable.
They turned up a street, and Rory's car was parked a little more than half way up. Jess felt his body tense, and he stopped, pulling Rory back too. He listened intently, Rory understanding the look on his face stayed quite, hardly daring to breathe. Jess pulled them back into a shadow and watched the street. He couldn't explain it, it was a feeling, a second sense, an instinct molded from years on the streets. Something was wrong, he could tell.
"Jess, what's wrong…" Rory whispered to him. Jess just shook his head, and sighed. Maybe it was just nerves.
The walked back up to the street, but Jess paused again. Then, out of the cold night air, a voice sounded that made Jess's blood run cold.
"What a pretty pair of baby's we've got here." A man as black as night sneered as he came out from behind a car.
He had a heavy accent and a scruffy face with equally disoriented hair on his head. He was clad in a worn leather jacket with jeans and old tennis shoes. Around his neck dangled a gold chain with a large cross. Rory stood frozen in fear, his eyes shown out of the dim light, a misty yellow, and the pearl white of his teeth glinted like a row of Chiclets. Jess pulled Rory behind him and walked backwards towards the row of cars, his stomach in knots and his eyes intently fixated on the man's hand in his coat.
"What's the matter, scared?" A deep voice asked from behind.
Rory screamed as he reached out to her, and Jess quickly pulled her back. The second man came from behind a car, laughing wirily. His skin was a light brown, stained from the sun. He had a mop of black hair that seemed to have a mind of it's own despite the cap, (Yankees) and a dark blue jacket. His pants were a dirty brown, weather it was the color it was supposed to be or not couldn't be determined; he stood in the cars' shadow. He smiled seductively at Rory, finding her surprise to be humorous. Rory was breathing fast, and clung on to Jess tightly with both hands.
"What do you want?' Jess demanded, keeping his voice perfectly calm, and with a bit of an edge to it as well.
"Ooooh, the young man's got an attitude, does he?" The black man said, flashing his teeth again.
"Look you asshole, stop playing games, now what the hell do you want?" Jess was now quite angry, he wanted to get this over with, he didn't want to hang around. Rory stood behind him, not believing he was actually talking the way he was.
"What did you call me? Miguel," he said turning his attention to the other man behind them, "did that little punk just call me an asshole?" He asked snarling
"Yah, the little shit did…so what you gonna do to him Rodney?"
"Well, first, how bout he gives me his little bitch here," he said laughing and indicating Rory, "and then," his face hardened again, "he gives me all of his money." The man answered coldly
Jess clenched his jaw and reached slowly into his pocket. The situation clearly wasn't going to clear up easily, and he couldn't let anything happen to Rory.
"How about you stay the fuck off her, I'll keep my money, and will call it a day?" Jess said sarcastically back
"You know boy, you aint know when to just shut up and do what your told do you?" The shouted back amused.
Jess silently pulled a blade from his pocket and flicked it open. Rory saw the metal glimmer in the light, a silvery flash that sent shivers down her spine. The other man eyed it too, a little surprised, but then removed his hand from his pocket. He clicked it back, and pointed the gun right at Jess's chest.
"Give me your wallet now." He said, his face serious, his yellow eyes flashing
Jess stared at him, his muscles tight in anticipation. Behind him, he felt Rory tremble silently. He reached his hand back and pulled out his wallet, throwing it at the guy's feet. Before the man bent down to pick it up, he saw him look past Jess and nod his head at the other man. Before he knew it, Rory's panic yelp sounded from behind him, and she clung tightly to him as the man behind her had her around the waste, pulling her towards him. Jess spun around, knife clenched tightly in his hand. He had never had to use it, but now he had no doubt in his mind he would if he needed to, and his arm stayed steady. He grabbed on to Rory's hand, a look of abject terror on her face. The man pulled her from his grasp and held on to her. Before the man could react, Jess swung with the butt of his knife and smashed him right in the face, fear and anger lashing out. Blood poured freely from the man's nose as Jess grabbed Rory trying to pry her from his grasp. Rory's eyes grew large, over Jess shoulder she saw the other man lift his gun pointing right at Jess' open back, and squint his yellow eye taking aim.
"Jess!" Rory screamed.
Jess glanced over his shoulder just as a loud crack emitted from the gun barrel. Grabbing Rory he flung them to the side, but not fast enough. Jess felt a part of the bullet hit his arm as he collapsed down to the ground causing pain to sear into him like white hot fire. Jess grasped his arm as the pain shot though his body. He could feel his fingers were wet with blood, his blood. Glancing up, the second man stood looking down at his shirt, a hand covering a spot on his upper part of his left rib cage. He took away his fingers and in the hazy light Jess could see the dark red of milky blood. Miguel looked back down to his shirt, a blank expression on his pasty white face, and stared at the dark spot that grew larger with every second. Rodney stood staring at Miguel, frozen and unsure. Miguel turned his eyes back up and stared at Rodney. Then he let out a small groan, soft but filled with pain and disbelief. Jess watched as the man's eyes grew hazy and as his knees buckled. Jess quickly grabbed Rory and stood up, pulling her into a run towards their car. Jess looked back and saw Rodney rush forward and catch is partner before he collapsed to the ground. Then his face looked up and his icy stare met with Jess's. His face contorted in anger, the man raised the gun again pointing at their retreating backs. Jess, thinking fast, quickly pulled Rory and they dove behind the car nearest them, and sat crouched and breathing hard. The man hollowed like a wounded animal as he fired shots into the night air, each one and the ping of car metal it hit mixed with his cries created an eerie and gruesome melody, chilling to the bone. Jess clung tightly to Rory until he heard the click of an empty clip. It was deathly quite for a second and they both sat listening, their hearts beating loudly. Then Jess heard it, the unmistakable sputter of the wounded man. Peering under the car he saw the man convulse and let out a last gurgling sigh as his body thudded softly to the ground, his last breath lingering heavily in the air.
Jess sat back up. He looked up into the night sky and felt an emptiness he had never before experienced. He felt like he was a shell watching the moment from above, confused and scared. They had never said death was like this, he had never felt such ignorance before. It was like he was just beginning to see the world, different than he ever had.
Rory couldn't help her body; it trembled uncontrollably from the horror of what she had just experienced. She was never supposed to see something like that, never supposed to hear the last breath of a man. Who the man was, it was no longer important. All she felt, all she knew was that he, that they all for that matter, were just minute sparks of life, flames, dancing in the currents of life. At any moment, one of their flames could be blown out, left for the wind to carry off the last lingering smoke, the last lingering essence of life. It was like she had lost all understanding of where she was. All she knew was that Jess was there, his presence and warmth so reassuring. In the disserted street, the man's sobs began to reverberate off the buildings and walls, echoing into ever corner of their heads.
"Miguel…" He trailed off in to a pitiful mass of whimpering. Jess couldn't take it any longer, they had to leave.
He pulled her up quietly, despite the pain in his arm. They numbly made there way from the car and paused as the man stared up at them, his face soaked with tears. They stood, not breathing and Rory's gaze was caught in his eyes. The man was like a trapped and wounded animal. She was glad when Jess pulled her away, she didn't think she could have done it herself. They ran, fear back in them though it was no longer an issue, back up to her car. She fumbled with the keys, but Jess pulled them out of her trembling hands and helped her into the passenger side of the car, taking the drivers seat instead. He quickly pulled out, screeching the tires as he backed up all the way to the street corner where he quickly turned down a random street, flooring it to put as much space between them and the man. But the distance was only in the physical, the further away he got, the closer he thought he was to them. He draped his left arm on the bottom of the steering wheel and glancing at his stained shirt, he hopped it wasn't too bad. He looked over at Rory and taking his right hand off the wheel, reached it out to her. He gently laced his fingers in with hers, and she smiled- a sad smile that tore at his heart. She never should have seen that, she was too pure, to innocent…it killed him inside to know she had lost a little of something that she could never get back, never. They didn't speak as they drove back to Jess's apartment. He pulled up in front of it and stopped, shutting off the engine. Rory looked at him, her face covered in silent tears. She scooted closer to him and he reached out his arm pulling her into his embrace. As she buried her face in his chest, she couldn't help the sobs that followed. Jess just held her tighter all the while whispering quietly to her. Rory cried hard, she didn't know for how long, but all the while Jess held and rocked her, telling her it was going to be alright. Finally, she dried her eyes on his already thoroughly dampened shirt and stared up into his eyes.
"Thanks…" He smiled at her and nodded
They both laid there for a minute more until the throb in Jess arm convinced him to break the silence
"Rory, its late, I think we should just stay here tonight, and then leave in the morning…"
She nodded at him and followed him out of the car and up to the door. Jess grabbed the bag in the back seat, figuring Rory might want it. Jess unlocked the door, he had made sure to get a key form Liz this time, and let Rory in. Liz was no where around, and Jess was relieved. Rory took her bag from him and he showed her to the bathroom. She changed and washed her face and came into Jess's room where he sat on his bed in a pair of shorts, bare chest, and holding a towel to his arm, his shirt strune on the floor with a large crimson spot on it, much bigger than she had though now that they were in the light. She walked in and took the towel from him, holding it up to his arm. She removed it quickly and took a glance at it. It was pretty deep, and it obviously needed stitches.
"You need stitches Jess." She said softly looking at him intently and replacing the towel
He shook his head "Not tonight I don't. I'll be fine, don't worry." He said to her
"At least let me put something on it." She said worried
"Ok…in the cupboard." He said pointing to the bathroom and taking back the towel as she got up and began rummaging through the assorted medical bottles and items. Finding what she wanted, she came back and dumped a roll of gauze on his bed and a box of butterfly bandages. She then went to his desk and began to open drawers looking for something.
"What are you doing?" He asked her, trying to see what she was looking for
"Where's you scotch tape?" She asked back turning to face him. He furrowed his brow in question
"You don't have any medical tape." She said pointing at his bathroom.
"Didn't think I would. Actually, I'm surprised you even found what you did. The tape's in the third drawer down, no, the left side." He said as she reached for the instructed location.
Fifteen minutes later Jess had on a crude bandage comprised of about 10 butterflies, a whole roll of gauze and about half the case of scotch tape which didn't end lacing his arm until just above his elbow, despite the fact he was hurt on the upper part of his arm.
"That should do it." Rory smiled and patted his arm.
She looked over and glanced at the clock, it was already almost one. Jess followed her gaze and taking the hint, began to pull back the covers. He got in with a little difficulty and looked back at her. She sat, unsure and a little nervous. He smiled at her, not a seductive one, but more of a reassuring, trustworthy smile. She crawled over to him and got under too. He flicked off the light, and she felt his arm slide over her stomach and press her against his body. Her body tensed, but just as quickly relaxed, his skin was warm against the bare parts of her's, and she felt safe. She drifted off into a light sleep, never wanting to leave his grasp, the closure of his touch and presence. Jess stared into the dark and listened to Rory's soft breathing. Things would be different after tonight, there was no doubting that, but things would be ok because they were in it together, they had each other. Jess finally felt the toile of the day captivate his body, and he relaxed, letting the battle end to a dreamless stupor.
Ok, just read the top AN if you haven't and please review and tell me what you think.
Breanna
An Unexpected Twist
Rory felt almost dizzy as she made her way back towards her car, Jess's hand warm in her grasp. She couldn't believe that she had actually done it, that for once; she had followed her heart, and not her mind. It felt good too, and it scared her. It was like she couldn't think when he was around, like her brain wasn't functioning in the practicality section. She looked over at Jess walking besides her, and he caught her glance and looked back. She no longer felt as though she couldn't met his gaze, she knew she had stepped over a line that she couldn't go back across again, but not for a second did she regret it. She smiled gently at him, and he grinned, giving her hand a little squeeze. His gaze was so intense; he stared deeply into her blue depths, a stare she still couldn't translate. Shaking her head as she reached in her pocket for her keys, she realized that she was glad she couldn't quite figure him out figure him out, he would always remain unpredictable.
They turned up a street, and Rory's car was parked a little more than half way up. Jess felt his body tense, and he stopped, pulling Rory back too. He listened intently, Rory understanding the look on his face stayed quite, hardly daring to breathe. Jess pulled them back into a shadow and watched the street. He couldn't explain it, it was a feeling, a second sense, an instinct molded from years on the streets. Something was wrong, he could tell.
"Jess, what's wrong…" Rory whispered to him. Jess just shook his head, and sighed. Maybe it was just nerves.
The walked back up to the street, but Jess paused again. Then, out of the cold night air, a voice sounded that made Jess's blood run cold.
"What a pretty pair of baby's we've got here." A man as black as night sneered as he came out from behind a car.
He had a heavy accent and a scruffy face with equally disoriented hair on his head. He was clad in a worn leather jacket with jeans and old tennis shoes. Around his neck dangled a gold chain with a large cross. Rory stood frozen in fear, his eyes shown out of the dim light, a misty yellow, and the pearl white of his teeth glinted like a row of Chiclets. Jess pulled Rory behind him and walked backwards towards the row of cars, his stomach in knots and his eyes intently fixated on the man's hand in his coat.
"What's the matter, scared?" A deep voice asked from behind.
Rory screamed as he reached out to her, and Jess quickly pulled her back. The second man came from behind a car, laughing wirily. His skin was a light brown, stained from the sun. He had a mop of black hair that seemed to have a mind of it's own despite the cap, (Yankees) and a dark blue jacket. His pants were a dirty brown, weather it was the color it was supposed to be or not couldn't be determined; he stood in the cars' shadow. He smiled seductively at Rory, finding her surprise to be humorous. Rory was breathing fast, and clung on to Jess tightly with both hands.
"What do you want?' Jess demanded, keeping his voice perfectly calm, and with a bit of an edge to it as well.
"Ooooh, the young man's got an attitude, does he?" The black man said, flashing his teeth again.
"Look you asshole, stop playing games, now what the hell do you want?" Jess was now quite angry, he wanted to get this over with, he didn't want to hang around. Rory stood behind him, not believing he was actually talking the way he was.
"What did you call me? Miguel," he said turning his attention to the other man behind them, "did that little punk just call me an asshole?" He asked snarling
"Yah, the little shit did…so what you gonna do to him Rodney?"
"Well, first, how bout he gives me his little bitch here," he said laughing and indicating Rory, "and then," his face hardened again, "he gives me all of his money." The man answered coldly
Jess clenched his jaw and reached slowly into his pocket. The situation clearly wasn't going to clear up easily, and he couldn't let anything happen to Rory.
"How about you stay the fuck off her, I'll keep my money, and will call it a day?" Jess said sarcastically back
"You know boy, you aint know when to just shut up and do what your told do you?" The shouted back amused.
Jess silently pulled a blade from his pocket and flicked it open. Rory saw the metal glimmer in the light, a silvery flash that sent shivers down her spine. The other man eyed it too, a little surprised, but then removed his hand from his pocket. He clicked it back, and pointed the gun right at Jess's chest.
"Give me your wallet now." He said, his face serious, his yellow eyes flashing
Jess stared at him, his muscles tight in anticipation. Behind him, he felt Rory tremble silently. He reached his hand back and pulled out his wallet, throwing it at the guy's feet. Before the man bent down to pick it up, he saw him look past Jess and nod his head at the other man. Before he knew it, Rory's panic yelp sounded from behind him, and she clung tightly to him as the man behind her had her around the waste, pulling her towards him. Jess spun around, knife clenched tightly in his hand. He had never had to use it, but now he had no doubt in his mind he would if he needed to, and his arm stayed steady. He grabbed on to Rory's hand, a look of abject terror on her face. The man pulled her from his grasp and held on to her. Before the man could react, Jess swung with the butt of his knife and smashed him right in the face, fear and anger lashing out. Blood poured freely from the man's nose as Jess grabbed Rory trying to pry her from his grasp. Rory's eyes grew large, over Jess shoulder she saw the other man lift his gun pointing right at Jess' open back, and squint his yellow eye taking aim.
"Jess!" Rory screamed.
Jess glanced over his shoulder just as a loud crack emitted from the gun barrel. Grabbing Rory he flung them to the side, but not fast enough. Jess felt a part of the bullet hit his arm as he collapsed down to the ground causing pain to sear into him like white hot fire. Jess grasped his arm as the pain shot though his body. He could feel his fingers were wet with blood, his blood. Glancing up, the second man stood looking down at his shirt, a hand covering a spot on his upper part of his left rib cage. He took away his fingers and in the hazy light Jess could see the dark red of milky blood. Miguel looked back down to his shirt, a blank expression on his pasty white face, and stared at the dark spot that grew larger with every second. Rodney stood staring at Miguel, frozen and unsure. Miguel turned his eyes back up and stared at Rodney. Then he let out a small groan, soft but filled with pain and disbelief. Jess watched as the man's eyes grew hazy and as his knees buckled. Jess quickly grabbed Rory and stood up, pulling her into a run towards their car. Jess looked back and saw Rodney rush forward and catch is partner before he collapsed to the ground. Then his face looked up and his icy stare met with Jess's. His face contorted in anger, the man raised the gun again pointing at their retreating backs. Jess, thinking fast, quickly pulled Rory and they dove behind the car nearest them, and sat crouched and breathing hard. The man hollowed like a wounded animal as he fired shots into the night air, each one and the ping of car metal it hit mixed with his cries created an eerie and gruesome melody, chilling to the bone. Jess clung tightly to Rory until he heard the click of an empty clip. It was deathly quite for a second and they both sat listening, their hearts beating loudly. Then Jess heard it, the unmistakable sputter of the wounded man. Peering under the car he saw the man convulse and let out a last gurgling sigh as his body thudded softly to the ground, his last breath lingering heavily in the air.
Jess sat back up. He looked up into the night sky and felt an emptiness he had never before experienced. He felt like he was a shell watching the moment from above, confused and scared. They had never said death was like this, he had never felt such ignorance before. It was like he was just beginning to see the world, different than he ever had.
Rory couldn't help her body; it trembled uncontrollably from the horror of what she had just experienced. She was never supposed to see something like that, never supposed to hear the last breath of a man. Who the man was, it was no longer important. All she felt, all she knew was that he, that they all for that matter, were just minute sparks of life, flames, dancing in the currents of life. At any moment, one of their flames could be blown out, left for the wind to carry off the last lingering smoke, the last lingering essence of life. It was like she had lost all understanding of where she was. All she knew was that Jess was there, his presence and warmth so reassuring. In the disserted street, the man's sobs began to reverberate off the buildings and walls, echoing into ever corner of their heads.
"Miguel…" He trailed off in to a pitiful mass of whimpering. Jess couldn't take it any longer, they had to leave.
He pulled her up quietly, despite the pain in his arm. They numbly made there way from the car and paused as the man stared up at them, his face soaked with tears. They stood, not breathing and Rory's gaze was caught in his eyes. The man was like a trapped and wounded animal. She was glad when Jess pulled her away, she didn't think she could have done it herself. They ran, fear back in them though it was no longer an issue, back up to her car. She fumbled with the keys, but Jess pulled them out of her trembling hands and helped her into the passenger side of the car, taking the drivers seat instead. He quickly pulled out, screeching the tires as he backed up all the way to the street corner where he quickly turned down a random street, flooring it to put as much space between them and the man. But the distance was only in the physical, the further away he got, the closer he thought he was to them. He draped his left arm on the bottom of the steering wheel and glancing at his stained shirt, he hopped it wasn't too bad. He looked over at Rory and taking his right hand off the wheel, reached it out to her. He gently laced his fingers in with hers, and she smiled- a sad smile that tore at his heart. She never should have seen that, she was too pure, to innocent…it killed him inside to know she had lost a little of something that she could never get back, never. They didn't speak as they drove back to Jess's apartment. He pulled up in front of it and stopped, shutting off the engine. Rory looked at him, her face covered in silent tears. She scooted closer to him and he reached out his arm pulling her into his embrace. As she buried her face in his chest, she couldn't help the sobs that followed. Jess just held her tighter all the while whispering quietly to her. Rory cried hard, she didn't know for how long, but all the while Jess held and rocked her, telling her it was going to be alright. Finally, she dried her eyes on his already thoroughly dampened shirt and stared up into his eyes.
"Thanks…" He smiled at her and nodded
They both laid there for a minute more until the throb in Jess arm convinced him to break the silence
"Rory, its late, I think we should just stay here tonight, and then leave in the morning…"
She nodded at him and followed him out of the car and up to the door. Jess grabbed the bag in the back seat, figuring Rory might want it. Jess unlocked the door, he had made sure to get a key form Liz this time, and let Rory in. Liz was no where around, and Jess was relieved. Rory took her bag from him and he showed her to the bathroom. She changed and washed her face and came into Jess's room where he sat on his bed in a pair of shorts, bare chest, and holding a towel to his arm, his shirt strune on the floor with a large crimson spot on it, much bigger than she had though now that they were in the light. She walked in and took the towel from him, holding it up to his arm. She removed it quickly and took a glance at it. It was pretty deep, and it obviously needed stitches.
"You need stitches Jess." She said softly looking at him intently and replacing the towel
He shook his head "Not tonight I don't. I'll be fine, don't worry." He said to her
"At least let me put something on it." She said worried
"Ok…in the cupboard." He said pointing to the bathroom and taking back the towel as she got up and began rummaging through the assorted medical bottles and items. Finding what she wanted, she came back and dumped a roll of gauze on his bed and a box of butterfly bandages. She then went to his desk and began to open drawers looking for something.
"What are you doing?" He asked her, trying to see what she was looking for
"Where's you scotch tape?" She asked back turning to face him. He furrowed his brow in question
"You don't have any medical tape." She said pointing at his bathroom.
"Didn't think I would. Actually, I'm surprised you even found what you did. The tape's in the third drawer down, no, the left side." He said as she reached for the instructed location.
Fifteen minutes later Jess had on a crude bandage comprised of about 10 butterflies, a whole roll of gauze and about half the case of scotch tape which didn't end lacing his arm until just above his elbow, despite the fact he was hurt on the upper part of his arm.
"That should do it." Rory smiled and patted his arm.
She looked over and glanced at the clock, it was already almost one. Jess followed her gaze and taking the hint, began to pull back the covers. He got in with a little difficulty and looked back at her. She sat, unsure and a little nervous. He smiled at her, not a seductive one, but more of a reassuring, trustworthy smile. She crawled over to him and got under too. He flicked off the light, and she felt his arm slide over her stomach and press her against his body. Her body tensed, but just as quickly relaxed, his skin was warm against the bare parts of her's, and she felt safe. She drifted off into a light sleep, never wanting to leave his grasp, the closure of his touch and presence. Jess stared into the dark and listened to Rory's soft breathing. Things would be different after tonight, there was no doubting that, but things would be ok because they were in it together, they had each other. Jess finally felt the toile of the day captivate his body, and he relaxed, letting the battle end to a dreamless stupor.
Ok, just read the top AN if you haven't and please review and tell me what you think.
Breanna