As usual, standard disclaimers applied here. I am experiencing some
internet connection problem these days and my fics might come slower than
usual. Anyhow, read and review this fic PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
Joe was sitting in Andy and Mai's spacious car, tending to the girl he saved earlier. He took out a needle and felt for a pulse on her neck. "Let's see... the awake nerve should be around... here." He said after feeling for a pulse on her neck a few inches from her ear. As he poked her, she suddenly bolted upright, knocking her face with Joe's chin.
"OOOWW!!!!!!" they both cried out simultaneously. Realizing she wasn't alone, the girl whirled around and faced Joe. She had the scared expression again.
"Who... who are you?" she asked in a heavy British accent.
Joe rubbed his chin. "I'm Joe. I saved you from those punks. And you are...?"
She thought for a moment and looked around. "Where am I?"
"My friend's car. Don't worry, I don't bite. Nor do I see girls as a toy."
His final statement made her turn her head to him. He didn't look like a bad guy and he just said he saved her from the man, plus, she was covered in a huge jacket which reached her knee; presumably his since she saw him wearing it before she passed out. She was indebted to him. Suddenly, she flashed him a beautiful smile. Despite the dirt covering her face, Joe saw a diamond in the rough.
"My name is Lily. I just got here, actually." She said in a very polite voice. "I'll be staying here for a few months on holiday." Joe smiled at her and chatted with her, waiting for the others.
Suddenly, he heard a huge explosion coming from the disco. He whirled around and a few seconds later, saw 3 figures heading to the car. He couldn't make out the shapes at first but when they reached a lamp post, he saw a limp Terry with each of his arms around a pair of worried-stricken Mai and Andy.
"Oh my god..." Usually, Joe wasn't into the religious stuff but the words somehow escaped his lips. He dashed to the trio and helped out. Mai and Andy looked as though they just got out of a bear's cave and Terry... in plain simple English, he looked dead. Joe felt a sense of guilt as he helped Terry into the car. But, he was also curious to know who could have been so strong to be able to beat him up to this extent.
As Joe sped to the nearest hospital, Mai, Andy and even Lily, were helping Terry in any way possible. He was barely breathing, each breath coming in short, heavy gasps which come slower and slower.
"Can't you speed up some MORE?!?!" Mai screamed to the driver. "He's not gonna' make it at this rate!!!"
"Hey! I'm doing my best here, okay?!!" Joe replied, frantic. "Just sit there and do anything you can to keep him with us!! All right?!"
Andy was silent, praying silently, oblivious to his surrounding and his friends' nonsense argument. Lily sensed his grimness and placed an assuring hand on his shoulder. "Have faith in him." She whispered. Andy replied with a nod and stared at his brother's now close to lifeless state.
'Please Terry... stay with us. Keep breathing. Please...' he squeezed his eyes and hands, hanging his head. As he did that, the car screeched to a halt in the emergency driveway. Within seconds, nurse and doctors ran out with a stretcher with rollers. Carefully but swiftly, the crews (doctors and nurses) rushed him into the Emergency Room. Andy, Mai and Lily were brought to the outpatient room for treatment while Joe was stuck with the paper works and hospital fee payment.
After half an hour of filling in forms, Joe, lying his head on the table with an exhausted look on his face asked, "Ms. Nurse... do I have to sign anymore blasted forms?"
The nurse replied cheerfully, "Only one signature left here and you're through." Joe reached for the pen and signed the paper. "Oh, could you also write there : Especially For: Alice. Please?" She winked at him.
"Uh... okay." Joe managed a small smile.
Meanwhile, the other 3 finished their little part of bandaging and were waiting outside of the emergency room. Andy had his face buried in his hands, Mai's face was flushed with worry and Lily was simply sitting there, not knowing what to do. Joe came and greeted them.
"Hey."
"Hi Joe." Mai replied for everyone. "Where were you?"
"I had to do some paper works. Anybody thirsty?" he asked, holding out a plastic with a few cans of drinks. Surprisingly, Andy inhaled deeply and looked at Joe.
"Yes please. Got any coffee?"
Joe smiled. "Wouldn't there?" he winked, throwing him a coffee and giving the rest to Mai and Lily before settling down next to Lily. The air hung silently except for the hustling of people in the hospital.
After 4 hours, the operating theatre's lights went off and the doctor came out only to be greeted by 4 sleeping forms. Joe was even snoring and pretty loudly at that. The doctor shook his head and turned to one of his nurses, "Give them a blanket and send our patient to the critical unit. Be sure to check him every half an hour."
"Yes, doctor." And the nurse went to do her assignment.
When the nurse returned with the blankets, "Hey... where did they go?" no one was there.
The 4 woke up with a start and felt their heart flop into their stomach when the operating theatre's light went off. They searched for the doctor's office.
"I'm so gonna' hurt the doctor for not waking us up!!" Joe said as they brisk-walked at an astounding speed. Everyone looked at them and sweatdropped, whispering amongst themselves.
As they passed a certain ward, Mai glanced at the slightly ajar door and gave a loud gasp. "What's wrong, Mai?" Andy asked and followed her gaze. He froze at the sight before him. Terry, on the hospital bed with wires connected to his arms, chest and head, an oxygen mask on his mouth and an IV machine beside him, indicating his life - scary.
They entered the ward. "Oh, so, you're all awake." The doctor greeted them.
"How's he doing?" Andy inquired.
"We almost thought he wouldn't make it just now but he's one tough fella. He managed to pull through the critical situation. Now, he only needs lots of rest and I MEAN lots of rest." The doctor stressed the 'rest' part. All of them looked at him square in the eyes.
"Wow, wait a sec." Joe put his fingers on the bridge of his nose dramatically. "Are you asking us to leave?" All eyes looked at the doctor again.
The doctor sighed, took a bottle of pills, went to a corner and gulped down 2 tablets. After relaxing for some time, he turned and faced them. "In a way, yes."
"On the other way...?" Mai asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Come on, doctor, we're his relatives. Surely you can give us an exception. At least for tonight." Andy pleaded.
"Yeah, if not, what type of doctor are you, huh?!" Mai said, hands on her hips.
The doctor rubbed his head, his head was half bald and he looked as if his hair will fall off given more pressure and stress. "He has broken ribs and dangerous internal organs' injuries. We need to REALLY take care of him now. And as I said, he needs a lot of rest. With the four of you here, can I trust you all to be absolutely quiet?" the doctor asked, looking at them directly in the eyes, "besides, he's in a semi-comatose condition right now. There's nothing you can do even if you stay here." He added.
All four looked at him.
******************************
They were sitting near Terry's bed, careful not to touch or disturb him with relief looks on their face. The doctor... well, let's just say, he needed to see another doctor. Andy smiled when he recalled the event that happened a few minutes ago.
//Flashback of 20 minutes ago//
"Look, give us an exception or else..." Joe threatened the doctor.
The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Or you'll what? I told you, there's nothing you can do, he's in a semi-comatose condition right now and..."
"Let them doc..." a ghostly voice was suddenly heard.
"Terry!" They all said as they turned and walked over to him. He seemed to be half asleep but was smiling at them nonetheless. After looking at them for a while, he drifted back to sleep.
Joe turned to mock on the doctor but as he turned, he was just in time to see the doctor slumped down, tearing his hair off of his head chanting, "That's impossible, he's comatosed... no... it can't can it? No, it can't then... what was that...? Hee, he... ha, ha,... ahahaha..." in short, he lost his screws.
After calling some nurse and doctors, the doctor was then taken away.
//End Flashback//
As he smiled, across from Andy was Joe. He had a sullen look on his face and despite the darkness, he can see he was trying to hide a tear. "Hey, you okay Joe?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. You're not asleep yet?" he asked him, helping Lily who was sleeping beside him in a more comfortable position.
"Nope, hey, don't worry. He's fine." Andy told him.
Joe sighed. "It was my fault. None of this would have happened if... hey, who fought him anyway?! Those punks couldn't possibly hurt my pal like this, no way man."
"... It was Ryuji."
"What?! I thought..."
"Don't know. He's still alive, somehow."
"Next time I see him, I'm gonna kick his sorry ass." Joe said, clicking his knuckles.
"... He's a bit different now Joe. He's not who we knew." Silently, he recalled the fight between him and Terry.
They were both silent after that. Occasionally, a nurse will come to check on Terry and occasionally enough, Terry will either groan in pain or suddenly cough blood. It was one hell of a worrying night. As for the girls, they were deep in sleep.
However, a few hours later, the guys fell asleep and Mai woke up at the sound of a voice.
Free the dream within
The stars are crying a tear
A sigh escapes from heaven
And the world's end
Breathe the dream within
The mystifying
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
Look beyond where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust, love, believe
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
It was Lily. Singing an all-too-familiar song. Mai watched the movie of which the song became a soundtrack of. She seemed to forget the lyrics and just hummed the song. It was a sad song but very relaxing. Even Terry looked relaxed.
Free the dream within
The voices calling, a song
A prayer from deep inside you
To guide you
Be the dream within
The light is shining
A flame on the wind
Salvation begins
Lily suddenly smiled and looked over at Mai and did a duet in their little karaoke.
Look beyond where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust, love, believe
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
Free the dream within
The stars are crying a tear (a tear)
A sigh escapes from heaven
And the world's end
After the song, they giggled like school girls and simultaneously put their fingers on their lips and hissed a soft "Sshhh..."
"Hey, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name's Mai. Mai Shiranui. You are...?"
"I'm Lily. Lily Ca... Caradine."
"Are you Joe's new girl?" Mai winked. "He may look like a playboy but he's never had a girlfriend before."
"No. I'm not his girlfriend. I just met him just now actually..." she looked down. "Someone chased me and I ran into the disco. As I ran, they caught up with me. I Was lucky enough to have bumped into Joe or else... I don't think I'll be who I am now."
"Why were you chased in the first place? Are you new around here or something?"
She bit her lip and stared at the tiles as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Well, no. I just came here on a vacation for a few months from my home, England. I'm from the Oxford's University."
"Oh, you're a scholar."
"More of a scientist, really."
"I see... say, don't you have any contacts here? This place is new to you, right? Surely you have someone here to stay with."
"Well, I haven't thought of that... I was thinking of just finding a hotel once I get here."
Mai sweatdropped. For one thing, she's a girl and traveling alone. She should have known better than to just come here without anyone securing her. Mai sensed she was hiding something but rather not push into it any further.
They stayed with Terry until morning. He was doing well so far. He hasn't coughed blood as much as he did before and he stopped groaning in pain - definitely a good sign.
But, little did they know, someone was spying on them from outside.
To Be Continued...
Sorry for the late and boring chapter. I'll make it more interesting next time. I'm not very good in describing injuries and how to heal them because I've never been through it before! Well, keep reviewing everyone!!!!
Joe was sitting in Andy and Mai's spacious car, tending to the girl he saved earlier. He took out a needle and felt for a pulse on her neck. "Let's see... the awake nerve should be around... here." He said after feeling for a pulse on her neck a few inches from her ear. As he poked her, she suddenly bolted upright, knocking her face with Joe's chin.
"OOOWW!!!!!!" they both cried out simultaneously. Realizing she wasn't alone, the girl whirled around and faced Joe. She had the scared expression again.
"Who... who are you?" she asked in a heavy British accent.
Joe rubbed his chin. "I'm Joe. I saved you from those punks. And you are...?"
She thought for a moment and looked around. "Where am I?"
"My friend's car. Don't worry, I don't bite. Nor do I see girls as a toy."
His final statement made her turn her head to him. He didn't look like a bad guy and he just said he saved her from the man, plus, she was covered in a huge jacket which reached her knee; presumably his since she saw him wearing it before she passed out. She was indebted to him. Suddenly, she flashed him a beautiful smile. Despite the dirt covering her face, Joe saw a diamond in the rough.
"My name is Lily. I just got here, actually." She said in a very polite voice. "I'll be staying here for a few months on holiday." Joe smiled at her and chatted with her, waiting for the others.
Suddenly, he heard a huge explosion coming from the disco. He whirled around and a few seconds later, saw 3 figures heading to the car. He couldn't make out the shapes at first but when they reached a lamp post, he saw a limp Terry with each of his arms around a pair of worried-stricken Mai and Andy.
"Oh my god..." Usually, Joe wasn't into the religious stuff but the words somehow escaped his lips. He dashed to the trio and helped out. Mai and Andy looked as though they just got out of a bear's cave and Terry... in plain simple English, he looked dead. Joe felt a sense of guilt as he helped Terry into the car. But, he was also curious to know who could have been so strong to be able to beat him up to this extent.
As Joe sped to the nearest hospital, Mai, Andy and even Lily, were helping Terry in any way possible. He was barely breathing, each breath coming in short, heavy gasps which come slower and slower.
"Can't you speed up some MORE?!?!" Mai screamed to the driver. "He's not gonna' make it at this rate!!!"
"Hey! I'm doing my best here, okay?!!" Joe replied, frantic. "Just sit there and do anything you can to keep him with us!! All right?!"
Andy was silent, praying silently, oblivious to his surrounding and his friends' nonsense argument. Lily sensed his grimness and placed an assuring hand on his shoulder. "Have faith in him." She whispered. Andy replied with a nod and stared at his brother's now close to lifeless state.
'Please Terry... stay with us. Keep breathing. Please...' he squeezed his eyes and hands, hanging his head. As he did that, the car screeched to a halt in the emergency driveway. Within seconds, nurse and doctors ran out with a stretcher with rollers. Carefully but swiftly, the crews (doctors and nurses) rushed him into the Emergency Room. Andy, Mai and Lily were brought to the outpatient room for treatment while Joe was stuck with the paper works and hospital fee payment.
After half an hour of filling in forms, Joe, lying his head on the table with an exhausted look on his face asked, "Ms. Nurse... do I have to sign anymore blasted forms?"
The nurse replied cheerfully, "Only one signature left here and you're through." Joe reached for the pen and signed the paper. "Oh, could you also write there : Especially For: Alice. Please?" She winked at him.
"Uh... okay." Joe managed a small smile.
Meanwhile, the other 3 finished their little part of bandaging and were waiting outside of the emergency room. Andy had his face buried in his hands, Mai's face was flushed with worry and Lily was simply sitting there, not knowing what to do. Joe came and greeted them.
"Hey."
"Hi Joe." Mai replied for everyone. "Where were you?"
"I had to do some paper works. Anybody thirsty?" he asked, holding out a plastic with a few cans of drinks. Surprisingly, Andy inhaled deeply and looked at Joe.
"Yes please. Got any coffee?"
Joe smiled. "Wouldn't there?" he winked, throwing him a coffee and giving the rest to Mai and Lily before settling down next to Lily. The air hung silently except for the hustling of people in the hospital.
After 4 hours, the operating theatre's lights went off and the doctor came out only to be greeted by 4 sleeping forms. Joe was even snoring and pretty loudly at that. The doctor shook his head and turned to one of his nurses, "Give them a blanket and send our patient to the critical unit. Be sure to check him every half an hour."
"Yes, doctor." And the nurse went to do her assignment.
When the nurse returned with the blankets, "Hey... where did they go?" no one was there.
The 4 woke up with a start and felt their heart flop into their stomach when the operating theatre's light went off. They searched for the doctor's office.
"I'm so gonna' hurt the doctor for not waking us up!!" Joe said as they brisk-walked at an astounding speed. Everyone looked at them and sweatdropped, whispering amongst themselves.
As they passed a certain ward, Mai glanced at the slightly ajar door and gave a loud gasp. "What's wrong, Mai?" Andy asked and followed her gaze. He froze at the sight before him. Terry, on the hospital bed with wires connected to his arms, chest and head, an oxygen mask on his mouth and an IV machine beside him, indicating his life - scary.
They entered the ward. "Oh, so, you're all awake." The doctor greeted them.
"How's he doing?" Andy inquired.
"We almost thought he wouldn't make it just now but he's one tough fella. He managed to pull through the critical situation. Now, he only needs lots of rest and I MEAN lots of rest." The doctor stressed the 'rest' part. All of them looked at him square in the eyes.
"Wow, wait a sec." Joe put his fingers on the bridge of his nose dramatically. "Are you asking us to leave?" All eyes looked at the doctor again.
The doctor sighed, took a bottle of pills, went to a corner and gulped down 2 tablets. After relaxing for some time, he turned and faced them. "In a way, yes."
"On the other way...?" Mai asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Come on, doctor, we're his relatives. Surely you can give us an exception. At least for tonight." Andy pleaded.
"Yeah, if not, what type of doctor are you, huh?!" Mai said, hands on her hips.
The doctor rubbed his head, his head was half bald and he looked as if his hair will fall off given more pressure and stress. "He has broken ribs and dangerous internal organs' injuries. We need to REALLY take care of him now. And as I said, he needs a lot of rest. With the four of you here, can I trust you all to be absolutely quiet?" the doctor asked, looking at them directly in the eyes, "besides, he's in a semi-comatose condition right now. There's nothing you can do even if you stay here." He added.
All four looked at him.
******************************
They were sitting near Terry's bed, careful not to touch or disturb him with relief looks on their face. The doctor... well, let's just say, he needed to see another doctor. Andy smiled when he recalled the event that happened a few minutes ago.
//Flashback of 20 minutes ago//
"Look, give us an exception or else..." Joe threatened the doctor.
The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Or you'll what? I told you, there's nothing you can do, he's in a semi-comatose condition right now and..."
"Let them doc..." a ghostly voice was suddenly heard.
"Terry!" They all said as they turned and walked over to him. He seemed to be half asleep but was smiling at them nonetheless. After looking at them for a while, he drifted back to sleep.
Joe turned to mock on the doctor but as he turned, he was just in time to see the doctor slumped down, tearing his hair off of his head chanting, "That's impossible, he's comatosed... no... it can't can it? No, it can't then... what was that...? Hee, he... ha, ha,... ahahaha..." in short, he lost his screws.
After calling some nurse and doctors, the doctor was then taken away.
//End Flashback//
As he smiled, across from Andy was Joe. He had a sullen look on his face and despite the darkness, he can see he was trying to hide a tear. "Hey, you okay Joe?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. You're not asleep yet?" he asked him, helping Lily who was sleeping beside him in a more comfortable position.
"Nope, hey, don't worry. He's fine." Andy told him.
Joe sighed. "It was my fault. None of this would have happened if... hey, who fought him anyway?! Those punks couldn't possibly hurt my pal like this, no way man."
"... It was Ryuji."
"What?! I thought..."
"Don't know. He's still alive, somehow."
"Next time I see him, I'm gonna kick his sorry ass." Joe said, clicking his knuckles.
"... He's a bit different now Joe. He's not who we knew." Silently, he recalled the fight between him and Terry.
They were both silent after that. Occasionally, a nurse will come to check on Terry and occasionally enough, Terry will either groan in pain or suddenly cough blood. It was one hell of a worrying night. As for the girls, they were deep in sleep.
However, a few hours later, the guys fell asleep and Mai woke up at the sound of a voice.
Free the dream within
The stars are crying a tear
A sigh escapes from heaven
And the world's end
Breathe the dream within
The mystifying
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
Look beyond where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust, love, believe
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
It was Lily. Singing an all-too-familiar song. Mai watched the movie of which the song became a soundtrack of. She seemed to forget the lyrics and just hummed the song. It was a sad song but very relaxing. Even Terry looked relaxed.
Free the dream within
The voices calling, a song
A prayer from deep inside you
To guide you
Be the dream within
The light is shining
A flame on the wind
Salvation begins
Lily suddenly smiled and looked over at Mai and did a duet in their little karaoke.
Look beyond where hearts can see
Dream in peace
Trust, love, believe
We tremble and spin
Suspended within
Free the dream within
The stars are crying a tear (a tear)
A sigh escapes from heaven
And the world's end
After the song, they giggled like school girls and simultaneously put their fingers on their lips and hissed a soft "Sshhh..."
"Hey, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name's Mai. Mai Shiranui. You are...?"
"I'm Lily. Lily Ca... Caradine."
"Are you Joe's new girl?" Mai winked. "He may look like a playboy but he's never had a girlfriend before."
"No. I'm not his girlfriend. I just met him just now actually..." she looked down. "Someone chased me and I ran into the disco. As I ran, they caught up with me. I Was lucky enough to have bumped into Joe or else... I don't think I'll be who I am now."
"Why were you chased in the first place? Are you new around here or something?"
She bit her lip and stared at the tiles as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Well, no. I just came here on a vacation for a few months from my home, England. I'm from the Oxford's University."
"Oh, you're a scholar."
"More of a scientist, really."
"I see... say, don't you have any contacts here? This place is new to you, right? Surely you have someone here to stay with."
"Well, I haven't thought of that... I was thinking of just finding a hotel once I get here."
Mai sweatdropped. For one thing, she's a girl and traveling alone. She should have known better than to just come here without anyone securing her. Mai sensed she was hiding something but rather not push into it any further.
They stayed with Terry until morning. He was doing well so far. He hasn't coughed blood as much as he did before and he stopped groaning in pain - definitely a good sign.
But, little did they know, someone was spying on them from outside.
To Be Continued...
Sorry for the late and boring chapter. I'll make it more interesting next time. I'm not very good in describing injuries and how to heal them because I've never been through it before! Well, keep reviewing everyone!!!!