I wake up, laying on the floor of a room, curled up in a ball, my head throbbing. I try to get up, and a wave of pain sends me back down. GET UP, SHE NEEDS YOU! I manage to pull myself to my feet, and stagger to the door. I try it, finding it open. OK, Marcus, you just fucked up. I make my way down the hallway. No guards? OK, something's wrong. Maybe Jax has found us. I round the corner, and find myself looking into a plate glass window. I gasp, seeing Sonya handcuffed and unconscious, slumped in a corner. She looks like they beat on her relentlessly. I punch the glass as hard as I can in sheer frustration. I can't get to her. I can't help her, and I can't stop this. I feel my tears falling, as I touch the glass where she's at. There's no way in there. No doors, nothing. How the hell did they get her in there? Better question, how do I get her out? I see her slowly move. OK, hang on. I got it. About time this damn weight was put to good use. I back up, and take a running start. I leap at the window. Boy, wasn't that stupid? I bounce off the glass, landing hard on my back. The only thing I succeeded in doing was screwing up my knee a little more, and adding my shoulder to it.
"That glass is over an inch thick. A bullet couldn't penetrate it." I look to my right, to see Jessie standing there. She extends her hand to help me up. I push it away, dragging myself up.
"I gotta do something. Look at her. Like you care, you helped them do this."
"Hey, I got nothing to do with it. I just fight."
"Yeah, I bet. They're gonna torture her to death, don't you understand that?"
"Yeah, I do. I don't want this, either."
"Then help me do something about it."
"I told Marcus we'll forgo the two day period. You and I can face off tomorrow night."
"I hope she holds on until then."
"I'm sorry about your friend."
"Yeah, I'm sure you are. Sorry, but you're not gonna do anything. Just like that doctor. You being sorry doesn't change the fact she's never gonna see her husband and son again. You being sorry don't change the fact that you're partially responsible for it. So, don't tell me how FUCKING SORRY YOU ARE!"
"I told you, I don't want this, either."
"Then do something to help her. Help her." I sob, lowering my head. Jessie puts her arm around me, leading me away from the window.
"Let's help each other. I'll help you, if you do something for me."
"Name it."
"Fight me. Give me everything you've got."
"You want me to fight you?"
"Yeah. I've been watching you. No wonder Marcus is nervous. You're better than most of the fighters I've seen at this goofy thing. Not because of your skills. You actually want to win." She leads me down a staircase, and into a corridor.
"I could care less about winning. I want to stop them from killing her, period."
"And I want to be the best. Not some paper champion. I don't do fixed fights. You're the only competition I've got in this one, and Marcus knows it." She climbs up a ladder, and opens a hatch. I follow her up, and find myself in the room with Sonya. I walk to her, gently touching her shoulder. She doesn't even look up.
"Don't touch me."
"Sonya, it's me." She looks up at me, her right eye swelling.
"Jess, you OK?"
"Yeah, you?"
"I'll live," She sees my tears, "That bad, huh?"
"You're fine."
"Sanchez is right. You can't lie for shit." I hug her neck, crying.
"Why didn't you just keep going?"
"You saved my life, Jess. I'm not leaving you here."
"I hate to interrupt you two, but Marcus is gonna be back any minute," She unlocks Sonya's wrists, and shoves a cell phone into her hand, "Call your partner," She dials a number, and hands it back to her, hugging me back, "Major Briggs. I have some information for you. You can find Sonya and Jessie at the old holding warehouse on Peir 17 tommorow night. Who am I? Long story, no time. I don't know where I am. They're alive. Hang on." She shoves the phone into Sonya's hand.
"Partner, I'm OK. I need you at that warehouse. Hang on." She hands the phone to me.
"IS SHE OK?"
"No."
"Shit. Will she make it until tomorrow?"
"I don't know."
"Give her the phone back." I hand Sonya the phone.
"I'm alive, partner. I'll make it. I survived five years in Netherealm, this ain't shit. I'm counting on you, partner," Sonya hands the phone to Jessie, who hangs up, "Why?"
"She said it best. I'm a fighter, not a murderer."
"Handcuff me and get the hell outta here before Marcus comes back." Sonya hugs me one more time, as Jessie complies.
"Hang in there, Sonya."
"Hey, I'm Wonder Woman, what are you worried about?" She manages a grin, as I follow Jessie out, closing the hatch behind me.
"I kept my end, now keep yours." I hug her, crying.
"Thanks."
"Don't thank me. I'm gonna kick your ass."
"I wouldn't bet on it." She laughs, leading me back up the stairs. I stop in front of the window, and watch her. Sonya, don't die on me. Not now, we're almost outta here. She looks up at me, and smiles reassuringly. I snap to attention, and shoot her a salute. She nods, still smiling. I nod, and walk off, Jessie following me.
"She's a strong woman. She'll make it."
"Yeah, I hope. You're OK, Jessie."
"No, I'm not. I just have a severely warped sense of honor."
"You do know who she is, don't you?"
"Sonya Blade, Lieutenant, special forces. I know exactly who she is."
"So you know she's gonna bust this ring up."
"Yeah."
"And she's gonna bust you."
"I know that, too."
"Looks like I'm nuts on this world, too."
"Hey, I danced the dance. I'm not gonna watch someone die to get out of paying the band."
"We're not that different, you and I."
"Don't compare yourself to me. I am SO much better than you."
"We'll find out tomorrow night."
"Oh, yeah, we will. Take it easy. Until tomorrow, then you get me, and I'm anything but easy," She turns to walk off, and stops, "Oh, for the record, this is all hard work. I don't play with steroids."
"Neither do I."
"Obviously." She walks off, as I go back into the room. You know, I almost hate to kick her ass tomorrow. Almost. I pace the room, eventually sitting on the bed. God, Sonya, please don't die on me. I pop two of the perks, and pass out shortly after.
"Wakey, wakey, bitch," I wake up, to Karen slapping me. I move to slap her back, and hear Sonya groan. It takes me a second to realize we're handcuffed back to back, wrist to wrist "Go ahead, you'll separate her shoulder." I lean back, trying to give Sonya as much slack as possible, as Karen kicks me in the chest. I look up at her, and grin.
"Tell me that isn't all you've got."
"Ask Sonya."
"Sonya, is that all she's got?"
"No, that's the one decent hit she's got." I feel Sonya's back slam hard into mine. I lean against her, trying to support her.
"Yeah, you're real tough. Unlock me, and I'll slap the taste out of your mouth."
"She's mine, back off." I slump down farther, as I feel her back slam into me again. I rap my hand around her tightly clinched fist, feeling them kicking her. After about an hour, they all leave, as she leans back, coughing.
"You OK?"
"I'll make it. See what I get for leaving my utility belt and magic bracelets at home with my green lantern decoder ring," I laugh, trying to control my tears, "I've taken harder blows from Jax sparring. I'm fine."
"I wish I could help." I feel her squeeze my hand.
"You are. Just hang with me, OK?"
"Not much of a choice, there."
"Yeah, we are kinda stuck with each other, huh?"
"Stuck? I dreamt about hanging with you for years."
"No, you dreamt about hanging out with that chick with the laser beams, who defies gravity, and breaths fire. Not exactly what you envisioned, is it?"
"I never saw you like that. I always thought you were the strongest woman I'd ever seen."
"And now?"
"Now I know I was right."
"You don't get out much, do you?" We both laugh, as she squeezes my hand again. I watch, helplessly, as wave after wave of them come in, and take their shots. I hold her hand tightly, unable to do anything else. I watch Kano circle us, his knife drawn, as yet another wave comes in.
"Now, look we got here, boys. Sonya Blade, and her trusty sidekick, lard ass."
"Really? You're momma's here? Oh, wait, she dropped your sorry ass in the sewer at birth, didn't she," Sonya chuckles, as he kneels in front of me, "Or was it the city zoo? I'm bad with details," He backhands me, "You sucked in the games, the movie, the live show, and you SUCK now." He laughs, walking around to Sonya. I feel her grip increase on my hand.
"Sonya, you should've warned her about me."
"Why? Sounds like an accurate description. You do suck." I hear her scream.
"LEAVE HER ALONE, ASSHOLE!" Kano walks back around to me. I gasp, seeing the blood on his knife.
"Have you ever seen what someone's blood looks like?"
"What did you do to her?"
"Nothing fatal, yet. I'll take her one piece at a time, like I did her momma. Probably start with her ear. Then her fingertips. Make my way to that pretty face. Snip here, slice there. Oh, this is gonna be fun." He walks back around to Sonya, and I hear another scream. I feel my heart in my throat. As the beatings resume on her, Kano walks back around.
"Don't hurt her."
"Hurt her? You better be more concerned about what I'm gonna do to you."
"You can do anything you want to me, just don't hurt her."
"Right now, Marcus needs you. But, when you're done, it'll be time for you to play in my world."
"Do it now. Do anything you want to me, just lay off her."
"How about I go get your cousin."
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" I feel Sonya's grip increase on my hand.
"I can bring her here for ya. But, I promise you, I'll hurt her worse than her husband ever could." I lower my head, sobbing. Grabbing a handful of hair, he jerks me eye to eye with him.
"Leave them alone, please."
"When are you gonna get it? Her daddy buried that bitch the day he arrested me. You can't stop me. You got nothing I want. You're worthless. I'm gonna slit that bitch's throat, and, if you're a good girl, I'll put you out of your misery with her. Die next to your worthless hero." I glare at him, pure hatred in my eyes.
"You better pray I never get my hands on you."
"What would you do? Cry and beg me?" He wipes the blood on my shirt, and waves them off. I lower my head, sobbing, as he leads them out. Sonya leans her head back on mine.
"He's bluffing, Jess."
"I know."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got you into this."
"I got me into this. Where'd he cut you?"
"Left arm and upper chest."
"God, are you OK?"
"I've had deeper cuts from shaving my legs." I laugh, wondering how bad she's lying to me.
"Just don't die on me."
"Die? I wouldn't give that bastard the satisfaction. You shouldn't, either. Don't plead over me."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Just hang with me. That's what I need right now. I don't want to be alone."
"I would be honored to say I hung with you."
"The honor's mine, Jess. Let's ride this out."
"I'm right here with you." I hold onto my hand, as another wave comes in. How much more can she take of this shit? I wish I could do something. All I can do is hold her hand. I feel her pass out against me. I lean forward as far as I can, trying to make her as comfortable as possible. I guess I must've passed out myself, because I come through to someone unlocking my wrists. As soon as he's done, I hug Sonya protectively from behind, as Marcus walks in.
"Well, superstar, how are you feeling?" I don't answer, just tighten my grip on Sonya.
"Jess, that hurts." I let her go, kneeling next to her.
"So you finally shut up, huh? Good. I want as much money riding on you as those suckers want to put up, so I'm leaving you both alone tonight." One of the men reaches for Sonya. I grab his wrist, and throw him over her toward Marcus. I pick her up, cradling her as we go out of the hatch.
"Put me down." I tighten my grip on her, as we go up the stairs. I lay her on the bed, as Marcus tosses in a bottle of water and a first aid kit, locking the door. I knew she was lying to me. Those cuts are still bleeding a little.
"OK, Sonya, talk to me. How do I do this?"
"You don't. The blood loss is done. Let it go," I give her a perk, taking one myself, and we split the water. I look at her, feeling tears in my eyes, "What?"
"You." She turns on her side, to face me.
"I'll live. I'm not dying, if that's what you think."
"I don't like seeing you hurt."
"Hurt? This isn't pain. Now, what I'm gonna do to Karen when Jax finds us, that's pain. So, if you wouldn't mind turning the waterworks off, I would like to get some rest before they decide to start round two," I laugh, shaking my head. She hugs me, "I'm fine, Jess. I'm just tired." She lets me go, lying back down. She's out cold in seconds. I look down at her, and smile. Damn, even when she's stuck she's cool. I sit against the wall, passing out.
I wake up before she does. I look down at my shirt, and have to stop myself from gagging. Leaning against the wall for support, I take it off, throwing it across the room. THAT'S HER BLOOD! OH, GOD! I lay back against the wall, sobbing. I HATE BLOOD! Especially her blood. That's like my cousin's blood, only worse. Because I couldn't have stopped it. I couldn't do a fucking thing. I lean back against the wall, sobbing.
"All those fucking tears, you'd think someone died," I look up, to see her painfully sit up. She steps off the bed, and sits next to me, putting her arm around me, "Don't quit on me now."
"I'm not quitting. I just don't know what else to do. That shirt is covered in your blood. Hell, how are you even standing after that?"
"Because I know tonight it ends, one way or the other. If I'm going out, it's gonna be on my feet."
"Don't talk like that. He's gonna find us."
"I hope you're right, Jess."
"I know I am." She hugs me.
"I don't want to die, Jess," Her voice takes to a whisper, "Glance up. We're being watched." I roll my eyes, seeing the camera in the AC duct.
"Oh, shit. How long has it been there," I whisper, "YOU AIN'T FUCKING DIE ON ME!" I scream, fake sobbing into her shoulder.
"Nice touch. We're gonna have to be careful what we say from here on in. Stick with me, OK," She whispers, rubbing my head, "Just pray Jax finds us." She takes back her normal tone, letting me go.
"What the hell do you think I've been doing?" She sits back on the wall, in obvious pain. We sit for hours in silence. Now I know what death row inmates must feel like. Jax will be there. He has to be there. Please, God, let him be there.
"Jess?"
"Yeah."
"If anything happens to me tonight, I want you to know it's been a blast."
"Nothing's gonna happen to you."
"Shut up and let me finish. At first, I wanted to kick your ass. Then, after I got to know you a little better, I changed my mind. You earned my respect. You earned my friendship. I know I'm not the Sonya Blade from those video games you like, but this one thinks of you as a damn good friend. Thanks, for everything."
"I love you, Sonya." I hug her, sobbing. She hugs me back, crying a little herself.
"I know that. Why, I still don't know, but I know you do." I compose myself, letting her go.
"Well, we ain't done yet. You're too good to go out like this."
"I know, but you needed to know just in case anything does happen."
"NOTHING'S GONNA HAPPEN!"
"Just in case, I need you to do something for me."
"Name it."
"Don't make the last thing I see be you carried out of that ring. If they're gonna kill me anyway, kick the SHIT out of that bitch."
"If that's what you want to see, I'll do my best."
"Good. I want to go out with a Fuck You grin on my face." I laugh, as she leans back against the wall, closing her eyes. I sit next to her, shaking, as the guards walk in. They handcuff her, and lead us to the limos. OK, Jax, now it's on you.