Chapter 5: A Happy event turns into a tragedy
Disclaimer: Please read chapter 1
A/N: Thank you so much to all those who reviewed! I'm really sorry this took me a long time but just cuz it took me this much time to post I made it pretty long I hope you guys like it:) Also I want you guys to know that when it comes to O.C., Max, or Maria their conversations are usually spelt in a different way cuz of the way Max and Cindy speak on the show plus Maria has that dialect to her character.
URGENT: Also I need you guys to no I changed the name of S.D.G. to Canidae.
Bold = thoughts or point of views
Italics = emphasis
[] = Telephone conversations
~~~~~ = Scene Change
Bold-italics = song lyrics
It's been two weeks since my best friend ended up in the hospital and now she's out and doing much better. CJ is the one we were all worried about, for a second there I thought he wasn't going to make it, but thankfully he did. Lorelei and Carlos are throwing him a small party at the coffee house, the little guy's turning six today and he's so excited. Boy don't I wish it was like that for me when I was six but at that age I needed to worry more about discipline, duty, knowing my enemy, and what not.
The last day that Maria was in the hospital I went to be with her for moral support because she had decided to tell the detective she was willing to testify against the gangsters. Well when I was walking down the hall I saw a young girl rushed into the emergency room for a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen level and I couldn't help but think back to the time when I was still in Canidae. and I got shot while in combat.
~~~~~Flashback~~~~~
I was eight years old, me and my unit were in the yard training in hand to hand combat when there was some sort of commotion going on with the other soldiers. Then I heard it, a single gunshot of a riffle; it all happened so fast and when I looked down blood was all over the bottom half of my shirt. The last thing I remember was collapsing onto the ground and Conner was right there beside me saying everything was going to be fine.
~~~~~End Flashback~~~~~
I remember it just like it was yesterday, when I lift up my shirt you could see the faint lines of the scar two or three inches away from my belly button. With all the stuff that's happened it's hard not to think about the things from my past but I keep wondering on how things got so complicated…
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~~~~~Coffee House~~~~~
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear CJ, happy birthday to you.
Lorelei: Blow out your candles sweetie and make a wish.
CJ did what his mom said and after all the candles were blown out everyone clapped.
Carlos: That's my man!
Jade (wheeling out a table filled with presents): It's present time!
CJ jumped off his chair with a cake filled mouth, running towards Jade, yelling "Presents, presents!"
An hour after the party ended Nick made Maria go out and run a few errands for him while the rest of them got ready for her surprise party, which of course was hosted by her best friend in the world Jade Hunter. Jade was planning to do a little something for Maria after she got out of the hospital but she wanted to do it a little after since Maria might have suspected something was up; so Jade decided the best time was after CJ's party.
Thirty minutes later they had everything done. Jade stood by the door while everyone else hid. Maria came in wondering why all the lights were turned off when Jade flicked them on and everyone jumped up yelling 'SURPRISE!'
No one could have explained the look on Maria's face; it was one of pure joy. Maria turned and looked at Jade pointedly her face broke into a big smile as she went to embrace her.
Maria (happiness evident in her voice): You did this didn't you?
Jade: How would you have guessed?
Maria: Who else would go to all this trouble for me?
Jade (playfully): Well that's true. (Laughing a bit) seriously though I wasn't the only one, the whole Crimson Lights crew helped and Lee did his part, you could sort of say.
A couple of hours later Maria and Lee were in a corner engaged in a very deep conversation. Jade had gone to the back to get more drinks when someone yelled out her name and ran towards her.
Jade (picking CJ up): Hey there kiddo. Where are your parents?
CJ: Daddy's talking to Maria and mommy dropped us off she had to go somewhere.
Jade (looking at his partially wet coat): Is it raining out there?
CJ: Uh huh.
Jade: Well let's get you out of your wet coat before you catch a cold.
Jade took off his coat and put it on the hanger to dry. Still holding CJ she went and said 'hello' to Carlos. About an hour later with CJ still in her arms and with mostly everyone gone she went to lock the doors but to her shock the Alien gangsters came busting through with a whole lot of man power and serious weaponry then she could handle on her own.
Leader (walking past Jade and raising his gun, the others followed his example): Alright people this is a hold up everybody follow directions and no one will get hurt.
I'm glad Maria's in the back I hope she stays there. Jade thought worriedly.
Another gang member told everyone to get up against the wall then he turned to Jade—gun still rose—and told her to get with the others. She slowly walked to where Lee and Carlos were; feeling CJ's grip around her neck tighten in fear. The youngest member of the gang couldn't have been more than eighteen and Jade realized he had no gun. He had gone behind the cash register and opened it; starting to collect the cash and putting it in a brown paper bag.
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What the hell am I suppose to do?! I can't go out there or they'll remember me and then I'm really done for but if I stay here and do nothing then the others are going to get hurt.
While Maria stood there contemplating over her options she observed from the small window on the door to the back entrance; but she stayed hidden enough in the dark so they couldn't see her. At that moment Maria made a split second decision and she gradually crept out to the back entrance that led to an alley. Once outside Maria sprang out into a full on sprint and ran to her destination. Three blocks away she arrived at the police station and once inside Detective Matt Sung spotted her. He rapidly approached her trying to understand what she was saying through her heavy breathing. Finally when she was through explaining the circumstances the Detective called on his team and told them to suit up and head out because they had a hostage situation on their hands.
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The gang banger emptied the cash register and turned to face the leader, and then the leader turned around and faced everyone else.
Leader (to no one in particular): Is there anymore cash?
Nick: No.
Leader (smirking and to one of his boy's): Go check out the back.
What he didn't know was that Nick was telling the truth because he never kept any other money around the cafe it was at home. Jade quickly handed CJ to Carlos and stepped in front of the man; blocking his path, not knowing Maria wasn't there. Jade knew she couldn't go all kick ass on these guys since then the whole entire room would suspect she wasn't quite the girl next door and she wasn't about to let that happen. She knew it wouldn't be long till they forcefully made her move but she had to stand her ground till the end; after all that is what she was brought up to do.
The thug smiled and pushed past her but before he got to the door she grabbed his arm and pushed him back towards her.
Thug: What the hell are you trying to pull? Do you actually think you can take me?
Jade (taking a fighting stance): I don't know are you willing to find out or are you to chicken?
All of Jade's friends and coworkers were wondering if she had totally lost her mind. As the two encircled one another the gangster motioned for his "posse" to stay back.
I didn't think it would have to come down to this but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Besides I won't hurt him…much. Jade let a very faint smile appear on her lips at that last thought.
The thug threw the first punch; she blocked it with her left arm and punched him in the gut with the right fist. They went like that for some period of time when Jade kicked him hard in the stomach and he toppled over. By the time Jade turned around one of the other thugs had jumped on her back and punched her in the side. While she finally got that guy off her she had her back facing the guy she was fighting in the first place and he came up behind her and kneed her in the back really hard making her fall to the floor.
Lee saw this and it totally pissed him off he charged at the guy but another thug stepped in and stabbed him in the side. He was going to kick him when they heard it.
At first it was barely audible but then it got closer and they could make out what it was, the sirens of a police car and not just one. The leader grabbed the bag of money and he told his crew to clear out, which they did. With the pain still very evident in her back, Jade crawled to where Lee had collapsed on the floor; she ripped open his shirt, took a nearby cloth and applied pressure to his wound.
The Alien gang went out the back to the alley but they realized that one side was bricked up and the other was barricaded by patrol cars and cops whose backs were towards the group. They decided their best bet was to go back inside and figure out their next step from there.
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Everyone felt relieved when they heard the sirens while Lee was tending to his wound, Jade went to the back and realized it was Maria's doing that the cops were there, so she informed the others upon her return in the main room. Jade and Carlos started helping Lee by taking him to the paramedics when the gang came back and made them stay where they were.
Leader: Alright people new plan: we stay here until the cops leave.
Nick: And what if they don't?
Leader: For your sake and everyone else's in here I hope it doesn't come to that.
~~~~~Outside~~~~~
It had been about an hour and a half and the police had still done nothing; Maria got frustrated and started to raise her voice at Detective Matt Sung. While he tried explaining to her that hostage situations were dangerous and complicated, Lorelei showed up confused to why there were so many cops. One of the officers escorted her to where Maria and Matt were and from there they explained to her what was going on. She tried to keep calm but to no avail she blurted out that CJ was in there, so this gave the Detective another angle to work with. He called the hostage negotiator over and they made their call.
Gangster (picking up the ringing phone): What?
Hostage negotiator: Well hello to you too. May I ask who I am speaking with?
Gangster (angry tone): This is Pete, who the hell is this?
Hostage negotiator: Pete this is Duncan, I work with the Seattle P.D. and I need you to listen carefully. I understand that their might be some kids in there.
Pete (looking around and spotting CJ): Yeah.
Duncan: Ok here's what I need you to do let all the women and children go.
Pete (angry again): Why should I? What's in it for me and my boys? A free ticket to jail? I don't think so.
Duncan: Then tell me what you want and I'll do my best to get it for you guys.
Pete (covering the mouth piece): He wants to know what we want.
Leader (coming and taking the phone from him): Ya listen here we want 500,000 dollars in cash, with a plane waiting for us, and safe passage to the airfield.
Duncan: Ok, I'll see what I can do but first I need you to send out all the women and children unharmed.
Leader (thinking for a bit): Alright but once I let them out you have exactly an hour to get everything ready or you're gonna have some organ donors on your hands.
With that he hung up and went to face the hostages.
Leader: Ok all the ladies and the kid get out. The rest of you get comfortable cuz we're gonna be here for awhile.
CJ didn't want to leave Carlos but he assured him that he'd be fine; one of the waitresses took him and started leading him outside. Jade hadn't made any escape to go she kept by Lee's side, the leader came to her and started talking.
Leader: Either you have a death wish or you're one stupid girl.
Jade (ignoring his comment): He needs help, let me take him with me; I don't think he can hang on much longer.
Leader: Not gonna happen.
Jade: Fine then let him go and I'll stay.
Lee (trying to cut in): Jade n-n-no…
Jade: Shh. What do you say?
Leader (Looking to Lee then back to Jade): Fine.
Jade: Ok let me help him to the door and the cops can take him from there.
Leader (pointing the gun at her): Why so you can leave with him?
Jade (agitated): Look he's lost too much blood and he won't make it on his own. I'll be inside let me just get him through the door and the cops will take him from there.
Leader (nodding his head): Ok but no sudden moves or you're dead.
Lee swung one arm around Jade's shoulders, while she used one of her hands to support his back and the other to help keep his arm around her neck. When they were a good distance away and nearing the door Lee made Jade stop.
Lee: Jade, listen to me.
Jade: Hush, we're almost there.
Jade pushed Lee a little further till she made solid contact with the door knob. She slowly opened the door and made Lee exit; the cops had their guns raised but when they saw it was a couple of victims they hesitantly lowered them. A couple of EMTs came to take Lee but with what strength he had left he pushed them away and turned to face Jade. Lee: Jade, it's not too late, please come with me.
Jade: I can't it's me or you.
Lee: But they'll kill you.
Jade (small smile): You go on, I'll be ok, I promise. (Trying to lighten the mood) Besides like I'm gonna let you have the loft all to yourself, I don't think so.
Lee (tries to put on a smile): Jade…
Jade (looking at an EMT): Take him.
With that Jade handed Lee over, she looked out at the crowd and saw Maria with Lorelei and CJ, who was safely in her arms. Both Maria and Lore looked at her and she could see from Lore's eyes that she was worried about Carlos. Jade looked a little longer then smiled; finally she looked directly at Lorelei and mouthed the words 'he's okay' and then she slowly turned her back on them to head inside knowing her friends were okay gave her some small sense of relief.
Inside one of the thugs grabbed her arm and pushed her to sit down next to the others. She slumped down next to Carlos who had a worried look on his face, about CJ no doubt.
Jade (talking in a hushed voice): He's ok, you know.
Carlos (coming out of reverie): Huh? What are you talking about?
Jade: CJ. He's fine, he's with Lorelei and Maria.
Carlos (Letting out a breath, he had no idea he was holding): Thanks. Now all we need is a plan out of here.
Jade: I'm working on it.
Carlos (confused): What?
Jade (realizing what she said): Never mind.
As everyone sat around Jade was quickly trying to formulate a plan but was coming up empty handed; then all of a sudden the phone rang and the gangster, Pete went to pick it up.
Pete: Yeah.
Duncan: It's Duncan; I need to talk to the young woman that's inside.
Pete: Why?
Duncan: The friend she let take her place, is out here and needs to speak to her, he assures me it's urgent.
Pete (covering the mouth piece and looking at Jade): You, get over here. (Jade came and he handed her the phone.) You've got five minutes make it fast.
Jade (taking the receiver): Hello?
Duncan: Miss Hunter, listen to me very carefully, my name is Duncan McDaniel, and I work with Seattle P.D. I'm going to give you a set of instructions and as you listen act like you're speaking with your friend Lee.
Jade (going along with it): I'm glad that you're ok Lee.
Duncan: Do you know if anyone is covering the back entrance? Yes or no.
Jade: Yes.
Duncan: Are there any windows in the bathroom?
Jade: Uh huh.
Duncan: Ok in about ten minutes I want you to go to the bathroom.
Jade: Ok Lee, again it was no problem, I'm just glad you're ok. Bye.
She hung up and went to sit back down, some of the gang members were eyeing her and she just shrugged it off. Ten minutes later Jade got up and asked to go to the bathroom.
Jade: I need to use the bathroom.
Leader (looks at Pete and gives him the 'ok' with a nod of his head): Be back in ten minutes.
Pete (having his gun pointed at Jade): Walk slowly to the bathroom.
They walked to the bathroom which was located in the back. Jade went inside and the thug stood by the door like a guard. Jade locked the door behind her and went to the window. It was too high for her so she turned the trash can over and used it to boost herself up to the window. Upon opening it two cops and who she figured was Duncan McDaniel were there.
Duncan: Miss Hunter?
Jade: Name's Jade.
Duncan: Ok Jade. We need to know how many total, and where everyone's position is.
Jade: There are ten total. Three at the back door, one at the bathroom door, and six in the main room.
Duncan (nodding his head): Ok. Do you think you can distract the guys back here long enough for us to come through the front?
Jade: Yeah, I think I can manage.
One of the cops (giving her a gun): Know how to use one of these things?
Jade (lying): I learn fast in tight situations.
The cop "showed" her how to use the gun but then they had to go because Pete who was outside the door was getting suspicious and impatient.
Pete: Hurry up!
Jade: I'm coming.
She flushed the toilet so he would think she was actually using the bathroom.
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~~~~~Logan's Penthouse~~~~~
Max and Zack were sitting in the living room watching an old pre-pulse movie that had been on; Logan was in the computer room talking on the phone with an informant, while Krit was asleep in the guest room, and Syl was taking a shower. All of sudden a special news report came on interrupting Max and Zack's movie.
"Hello, I'm Josie Summers reporting for KSEE 24 news. This is late breaking coverage on the hostage situation at the Crimson Lights Coffeehouse."
As Max heard this she quickly called for Logan, who came as fast as humanely possible. He sat across from the TV and watched intently as the news woman spoke.
"I'm here live at the site where it seems that the police have ided the perpetrators as the street gang, Aliens, which the group has titled themselves. We have reason to believe that there was a party at the coffeehouse that was closely coming to an end when this group started to rob the place. The group has barricaded themselves in the shop with a bunch of hostages. The Aliens are demanding $500,000 and a safe trip to an airstrip, which from there they plan on leaving the country. Apparently they have let all the women hostages go and a little boy who was also at the party. Hang on a moment… this just in, it seems that there is one young woman who is still inside, this young woman has let one of the male victims who was stabbed take her place so he can get the medical attention he needs. More to come, stay tuned.
Max, Logan, and Zack looked at each other while the movie came back on.
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~~~~~Coffeehouse~~~~~
Jade quietly opened the door and it appeared that Pete's back was towards her, so, before he could turn to face her, she hit him over the head with the other end of the gun and he got knocked out cold. The other three guys were taken aback by this so Jade took their moment of weakness and worked it to her advantage.
Jade (stepping out into the hallway and raising her gun): Put down your weapons.
Guy #1 (having his gun raised and signaling the other two in doing the same): No.
Jade: I know what you're thinking, and it goes a little something like this…where did she get the gun?...better yet…does she know how to use a gun? Am I right or am I right?
Guy #1: Wrong. I was thinking more along the lines of I'm going to kill you in about five seconds.
Jade: Really?! WOW! Because that's funny, I was thinking the same thing about your poor, defenseless, and might I add very knocked out friend here, Pete was it?
Guy #2: You wouldn't.
Jade (in a deadly voice): I wouldn't really bet on that if I were you.
Guy #3: I would actually since you won't pull the trigger unless you want the other guys out there to hear the shot and come running.
Jade (getting annoyed): Guess what if they cared they would have come in here to check on you guys by now.
Guy #1 (laughing a little): You're just a girl, you don't know how to use that thing, and you're just bluffing.
Jade: Are you willing to test that theory? (Taking one step closer to them) let me let you guys in on a little something. I don't have a serious liking to guns but when it comes down to saving my own hide I'd use just about anything and everything that I could get my hands on. Now let's try this one last time, put down the guns slowly and slide them over here towards me.
When the gangsters saw they had no choice they did what they were told Jade nodded satisfyingly but then without a second thought she shot the guy on the left and right but left the middle man standing after all he was the one who stabbed Lee. Jade waited a couple of seconds to see if any other guys came barging in but she was happy to hear that the cops had already busted in.
Jade: Well it looks like it's just you and me. (Putting down her gun) so you know when I said I didn't like guns, well what puts me over the top is people beating on my friends, that I hate.
Guy: Let's go then. That is if you can take me.
Jade threw a punch; he blocked and punched her in the side. She recovered and kicked him in the gut, then punched him in the face. He was down for a few seconds but quickly recovered; he grabbed her arm when she tried to punch him and threw her into a wall. Now Jade was pissed and she let go and let him have it; she threw some punches, a couple of roundhouses, and her finishing touch was a head grab with a knee bud.
As that guy collapsed to the floor unconscious Jade heard the safety clip of a gun being released and she turned around to face down the barrel of a gun that Pete had been holding.
Jade: Been wondering when you were gonna wake up.
Pete: Wait's over.
Before Jade could react he pulled the trigger and shot her in the right shoulder, making her scream out in agony. A second later four cops busted in, guns raised high.
Cop #1: Put the gun down! (Pete not moving at all) I said put the gun down, NOW!
Pete finally put the gun down and did as he was told. Two of the cops went to check on the unconscious guys and the last one went to help Jade. As he slowly helped her to her feet she recognized him as the cop who gave her the gun. The first cop had already cuffed Pete and read him his rights, now he was leading him outside. The other two cops called in for a couple EMTs and Jade was leaving with the aid of the last cop.
~~~~~Outside~~~~~
Jade saw Maria, Lorelei, Carlos, and CJ altogether and she saw all her other coworkers and friends scattered around. When the cop saw she was heading in the opposite direction of the Ambulance he blocked her.
Jade: What are you doing?
Cop: You need to get your shoulder taken care of.
Jade: What I need to do is find my friend.
Cop: The stabbing victim?
Jade: Yes. Do you know where he is?
Cop: Yea, but I'm not telling till you get that checked out.
Jade: Screw this.
She left him and headed towards Maria and the gang. Once she got there both Carlos and Maria hugged her, Lorelei would have too except for she was holding a sleeping CJ. None of them realized she was bleeding till she covered her wound with her left hand and the blood started seeping to her knuckles.
Maria (worried): Jade what happened?
Jade (shrugging it off): Never mind that. Maria do you know where Lee is?
Maria: Yea, they took him to the hospital.
Jade: Hospital? Why? Was the wound that bad?
Maria (head down): Jade, he lost a lot of blood and the paramedics said that there might be some damage to his kidneys.
Jade: Oh God. I gotta go see him.
Maria: Ok, wait here I'll go get my car---
Hade (cutting her off): No, my bike's just around the corner.
Carlos: But you're hurt.
Jade: I can make it.
Maria: Jade no.
Jade: Sorry Maria I gotta do this. I'll call you when I get there.
Maria: Jade…Jade…JADE!
But Jade had already turned into the alley; she hopped on her bike, and drove off to the hospital hoping she would get there before passing out from to much loss of blood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Logan's Penthouse~~~~~
Syl had said her 'goodnights' and gone to bed but Max, Logan, and Zack were still up. They were all watching the news when the phone rang; Logan went to pick it up and was surprised to find Original Cindy on the other end.
Logan: Hello?
Original Cindy: Hey boo, you've got Original Cindy here; can you put home gurl on?
Logan: Yea, hang on a moment…
Logan covered the mouth piece with his hand and called for Max who was there in a mere second. Logan handed her the phone and mouthed the words 'It's O.C.' and retreated back to the living room.
Mac: Hey O.C. wassup?
O.C.: Boo, you neva gonna believe who Original Cindy got a call from.
Max: Who?
O.C.: Normal.
Max: Normal? (Checking her watch) why would he call you at eleven- thirty at night?
O.C.: Well it was 'bout Lee, you know the guy whose been hangin' with Herbal and Sketchy lately?
Max: Right, right the new guy. So what 'bout him?
O.C.: Well home boy got his ass gutted up pretty badly. He's in the hospital. I'm gonna go down, see how he is.
Max: Aiight, I'll see you down there.
With that she hung up and went to let the guys in on the info she got. As soon as she was finished she, Logan, and Zack went down to the parking garage, loaded up in Logan's Aztec, and drove off to the hospital.
~~~~~Hospital~~~~~
Original Cindy, Max, and the boys all arrived at the hospital at the same time; Logan spotted Sam and they all went to him.
Sam: Hey guys. What's up?
Max: Hey Sam, we're here about a man who was admitted in for being stabbed. His first name is Lee but I can't remember his last name.
Sam (checking his files): Ah yes Lee Cirinthos he is in room 119. He got out of surgery a little while ago and he should be waking up around now.
Logan: Alright thanks Sam.
Sam (getting back to work): No problem.
As soon as all the guys entered Lee's room Jade stepped out of the elevator.
When she had entered the hospital she went to the nurses' station to ask what room Lee was in and they had told her she needed to go on the second floor and find out there. She thanked them but they stopped her because of her bleeding shoulder but once they turned their backs on her she was gone.
Now here she was on the second floor trying to spot the all too familiar Dr. Carr which in a matter of minutes she did.
Jade: Dr. Carr.
Sam (surprised): Jade this is a surprise.
Jade: Not really. I need to know what room Lee Cirinthos is in.
Sam: Room… (Pausing because he realized Jade had been shot.) Jade what happened?
Jade (frustrated): Doctor! Room number please.
Sam: 119.
Jade: Thank you.
Jade slowly walked to Lee's room but before she entered, she stopped upon hearing voices, and contemplated whether or not to go in. At last she decided on going in but as she turned the knob her cell rang making her stop. She took out her phone and recognized the number as Maria's cell number. Damn it! I forgot to call her; she's going to be pissed at me.
[Hello?] [Jade! What happened? You said you would call.] [I know Maria I'm so sorry I forgot.] [Have you seen Lee yet?] [Nope, was just about to go in and you called.] [Fine what room is he in? I'm almost there.] [119.] [Ok.] [Bye.] [No Jade wait!] [What?] [Cops aren't too far behind me. My guess is they're coming to question you or take a statement.] [Alright, thanks for the heads up. I'll see you in a few.] [Yea gurl, take care of yourself ya hear?] [Ok bye.] [Bye.]
Jade hung up, stuffed her phone in her butt pocket, and headed inside.
~~~~~Inside~~~~~
Max and Logan were on the right side of Lee's bed while Original Cindy and Zack were on the left side. When Jade came in Max and Logan were a little surprised, Cindy remembered her from Lee introducing them at Crash, and Zack just really didn't care. Jade acknowledge Cindy by smiling while she was still by the door and Lee hadn't seen her. She took a couple of more steps till she was standing at the foot of the bed.
Lee (smiling): Hey stranger.
Jade (smiling back): Hey yourself.
Lee (jokingly) Dang Jade you don't have to stand ten feet away from me. You can come closer I promise I won't bite.
Jade (returning his joke): Bet you say that to all the girls.
Jade started coming closer so Cindy and Zack moved out of her way while she came to stand right near Lee.
Jade (giving him a kiss on the forehead): So how are you?
Lee: All things considered? Peachy.
Jade (giving a small smile): So what happened besides the obvious?
Lee: I'll tell you in a minute but let me introduce you guys first---
Max (cutting him off): No need. We already know each other.
Lee: Really? Well I know she knows Cindy but…
Jade (lying): Yea they've been to the coffeehouse.
Max (curiously): How do you two know each other?
Lee: Jade is a very good friend of mine plus she's my roommate.
Max: That explains a lot of things. So before Jade came in you were going to tell us how you got into this predicament.
Lee: I was, wasn't I?
Cindy: Yea boo.
Lee: Well it all started when there was a get together at the place where Jade works, Crimson Lights.
Logan (catching on): Right, that whole thing with the Alien gang and the hold up?
Lee: Yea how did you know?
Logan: It was on the news.
Cindy: So basically what happened was there was a hold up and you got caught in the crossfire?
Lee: In a nutshell? Yea.
Max (looking at Jade quizzically): You're the one who gave yourself up for him, weren't you?
Jade: I couldn't very well leave him there to bleed to death, now could I?
Max: No, I guess you couldn't.
Jade: Besides it was my fault he ended up here in the first place.
Lee: Jade no it wasn't, it was my choice to interfere.
Jade: Yea well you say tomato, I say tomatoe. So I hear you had kidney problems.
Lee: Yup guy stabbed me closer to it then we thought that is why there was more bleeding. The paramedics brought me here and next thing I know is I'm going into surgery.
Jade: Lee, I want you to know that I truly am sorry.
Lee: Jade don't worry about it, every thing's fine now. So after I left what happened?
Jade: Long story, tell you later.
Max (finally seeing the source of the smell that had filled her nostrils a while back): You're bleeding.
Jade (looking down at her wound): Almost forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me.
Lee (worried): What the hell happened?!
Jade: Part of the long story, I'll tell you later.
Lee: Right.
Jade (feeling a little awkward): Look I gotta go get this fixed so you get your rest and I'll see you later.
Lee: Bye.
Jade: Bye. (To the others) it was nice to see all of you again.
With that said she gave Lee a hug and left. On her way to find someone to help her she ran in to Dr.Carr who led her to one of the rooms and told her he'd be back with some bandages and tools.
Back at Lee's room Original Cindy had also said her goodbyes soon after Jade's departure. Now Logan had stepped out and only Zack and Max were left. Moments later a young woman came in with a box of chocolates, she looked vaguely familiar to Max but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Maria: I come bearing gifts.
Lee (smiles): Hey Maria.
Maria: Hi.
Lee: Maria this is Zack and Max. Max and I work together and Zack's her brother. Guys this is Maria she's also a friend and she just happens to be Jade's best friend.
Maria (shaking their hands): It's nice to meet you both.
Max: Same here.
Lee: What brings you by?
Maria (acting like a prep): You, duh!
Lee (laughs a bit but not too much since his side still hurts): Are those chocolates for me?
Maria: Of course. Thought since you brought me some when I was in here I could only return you the favor.
Lee: That's really sweet of you, thanks.
Maria: You are very welcome my friend. Hey speaking of friends where is our Miss Jade? Please tell me she got that whole shoulder wound thing taken care of.
Lee: Coincidently, she is doing that as we speak.
Maria: That's good.
~~~~~Jade's room~~~~~
Jade (melodramatically): So tell me doc am I going to live or die?
Sam: Very funny. Lucky for you the bullet was still close enough to the opening for me to see so I didn't have to slice you open.
Jade: You know I am a big girl I think I could have taken it.
Sam: I'm sure you could have. Look I'm gonna go get more bandages please still be here when I get back.
Jade (smiles a little): Don't worry I won't. (Sam gives her a serious look and Jade rolls her eyes) dang can't doctors take a joke? I'll be here, so go already.
Sam left and Jade was looking at her wound well things could have been worse I could have ended up here in a body bag instead of out of my own free will. Jade sat there for a bit longer thinking about the night's events when someone came in and it wasn't the doctor.
Logan (walking near her): So care to tell me what happened?
Jade (annoyed): Hi Logan, how are you? Me? Not so well considering I was shot but if you really wanna know what happened then you're just gonna have to wait like everybody else and read about it in the papers tomorrow.
Logan (frustrated): Damn it Jade! Why do you have to be like this?
Jade: Like what?
Logan: Like such a bitch!?
Jade (not fazing her): Cuz it's the only way to get you off my back.
Sam (coming back in): Hey Logan you're still here?
Logan (getting up and leaving): Yea but I was just leaving.
Jade: Great! I'll I have to say is good riddance.
Sam (confused): What was that all about?
Jade: Nothing, can you please finish this so I can go home?
Sam: Yea.
After those words were exchanged Sam went on bandaging her in silence but when he was done he finally spoke up.
Sam: There, good as new.
Jade: Dang! Finally now I can get out of here.
Sam: Not a big fan of hospitals I see.
Jade: Gee how could you tell?
Sam didn't say anything he just went back to cleaning up and Jade got up heading for the door but stopped upon opening it.
Jade (turned around and looked back to Sam): Thanks for this.
Sam (smiles and goes back to work): Just doing my job.
~~~~~Outside Lee's room~~~~~
Logan came walking down the corridor all angry and exasperated. Zack had stepped out of the room and quickly noticed Logan in his state so he slowly approached him.
Zack: Hey man what's up?
Logan: Damn that girl! You know all I wanted to do was help her in return for her helping eyes only but there is no talking to her! She can't even simply tell me what went down tonight at the coffeehouse.
Zack: Logan I'm trying to jump on your thought train here but it's going to fast even for my 'special abilities'.
Logan: Two words: Jade Hunter.
Zack: Ah I see, look Logan all I can say is it's her loss, she doesn't want your help what can you do?
Logan: I guess you're right.
Zack (grinning): 'Course I am. Look I'll meet you and Max back at the car.
Logan: Where you headed?
Zack: Oh no where just a little something I have to take care of.
Logan (skeptically): Ok then.
Jade got on the elevator and pushed for the lobby the door started to close but it was stopped as Zack stepped in. Jade kept her distance and didn't try to make small talk, she was glad he didn't try to either. Halfway from the second floor to the first one Zack pulled the emergency stop button and Jade had stumbled and fallen into his arms.
Zack (looking into her eyes): Sorry.
Jade (recomposing herself): Why did you do that?
Zack: I need to talk to you, figured this was the only way.
Jade: Fine you wanna talk, let's talk.
Zack: What happened tonight?
Jade: On so let me get this straight Logan couldn't get me to talk so he sent you?
Zack: Actually no, Logan doesn't even know I'm here.
Jade: I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told him read it in the papers tomorrow. (Going to push the button) now if you'll excuse me.
Zack (breaking the button on purpose): Whoops.
Jade (under her breath): Son of a bitch!
Zack: I heard that.
Jade: Notice the lack of me caring.
Zack: Since it seems we'll be stuck here for quite awhile why don't we get to know each other a little better.
Jade: I'll pass.
Jade quickly went over to the doors and tried plying them open with her bare hands but to her luck, no avail. She kept at it for a few minutes till her phone rang.
Zack: Your butt's ringing.
Jade: Thanks Einstein.
[Yeah?] [Hey it's me.] [Maria thank god!] [What's wrong?] [Look I'm stuck in the elevator between the lobby and the second floor. Some idiot guy decided to pull the emergency stop button and then broke it.] [Hang tight, I'll try and get some help.] [Ok thanks but if I find a way out of here I'll give you a buzz, ok?] [Ok.]
Jade hung up and looked coldly at Zack.
Zack: For your information the knob isn't broken I can simply put it back.
Jade (kicking the button out of his hands): In that case…'won't mind if I do…
She got the button, put it back in its place, and moments later she was on the lobby floor, getting of the elevator and leaving a very stunned Zack behind. She called Maria and told her she was out when she hung up she headed to the front doors but was stopped by two police officers.
As Zack got off the elevator he saw two police officers approach Jade so in order to hear them he went and hid behind a wall that was like ten feet behind the three.
Jade (looking at the two cops and remembering one of them as the one who refused to tell her where Lee was): What do you want?
Cop #1: We'd like to ask you a few questions and take your statement.
Jade: Fine hurry up cuz I'd like to get home before sunrise.
Cop #2 (Trying to make a joke so he could lighten the mood): What? You gonna turn into dust when it does?
Jade (looking at him plainly): Very funny, I forgot to laugh.
Cop #1: Look all I need to ask is what happened after I gave you the gun.
Jade: After I opened the door that guy, Pete, had his back to me so I knocked him out using the other end of the gun. Then I shot the other two guys and fought the one standing. When I was done, Pete had awakened, and he shot me.
Cop # 2: Why did you choose to fight the one you did?
Jade: Cuz he was the one who stabbed my friend and nearly killed him.
Cop #1: Ok that's all we needed to know. Thank you for cooperating with us now and before.
Jade: Sure. Are they gonna go to jail?
Cop #2: The Aliens? We hope to put them away for a very long time.
Cop #1: How is your friend by the way?
Jade: He's doing better.
With that the two cops said their 'goodbyes' and left. Jade started to head out herself but was getting a funny feeling that someone was watching her; yet it had been a long day so she shrugged it off and left.
Zack had heard everything Jade had said to the cops. He didn't know if any of this would be useful to Logan but he was about to find out. Zack saw her pause for a moment but then saw her head out. It was time he and Maxie had a talk about Jade Hunter because he wanted to find out just exactly who and what she was; since Max had never taken Logan up on his offer about filling him or the others in on her that night when they followed her.
Jade got outside and it had begun to rain again, by the time she reached her bike it was pouring. She reached into her pocket and fished out her keys, when she put the key in the ignition her shoulder hurt like hell and the pain shot through her whole arm it felt like someone was stabbing her arm with a thousand knives. Jade turned off the ignition and sat on her bike for a couple of minutes. She heard foot falls come her way, so she decided to hide in the shadows of the dark alley. Her night vision wasn't very strong but she could make out a tall figure, probably a man. Jade stepped closer but was taken by surprise when the guy quickly spun around and knocked her to the ground. Zack sat on top of her with a victorious grin on his face.
Jade: Oh it's you.
Zack: Sorry to disappoint but yeah.
Jade: We've got that settled do you mind getting off of me?
Zack: Not before I tell you something. I thought since I knew your name that the least I could tell you was mine, and it's Zack.
Jade: Just Zack?
Zack: Yes, just Zack.
Jade: Alright do you mind getting off of me now?
Zack got up off her and helped her up, he saw that her shoulder begun to bleed again.
Zack: So you were planning on just sitting around here, getting soaked, and bleeding to death?
Jade (using all her energy, sitting on her bike, and starting it up): No I was just going home.
Zack: But you're hurt, how are you going to get there without something happening to you?
Jade: I plan on using speed to my advantage.
Zack went to the other side of her bike and gunned the ignition. He took the keys away from her and shoved them into his pocket.
Jade (pissed off and getting off her bike): What the hell are you doing?!
Zack: Saving you.
Jade: I don't think I asked to be saved.
Zack: Yeah well you're a very cryptic kind of person. (Sitting on her bike and taking off his jacket.) So hop on and put my jacket on so you do get hypothermia.
Jade (throwing his jacket back at him and taking a seat on her bike behind him): There is only so much I'll do.
~~~~~Jade's loft~~~~~
When Zack and Jade got off the elevator she was soaking through and through while Zack was pretty dry. He wheeled in her bike and shut the door behind him. Jade had lit some candles because the powers had gone out, and she lit a fire in the fireplace.
Jade: You can spend the night in my roommate's room or on the couch if you wanna be closer to the fire.
Zack: Ok thanks.
Jade disappeared into Lee's room and came back with some pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt; she also retrieved a couple blankets and pillows. In the living room she tossed them to Zack and headed upstairs to her bedroom so she could change out of her wet clothes. When Jade came back she was wearing a long sleeved white loose fitting shirt with gray sweat pants. She saw Zack sitting near the fire with the blankets and pillows. Jade grabbed the two cups of hot chocolate from the counter and went and sat down next to Zack.
Jade (handing him a cup of coco): Brought you something.
Zack (taking it) Thanks.
Jade (smiles): Yeah.
Zack: Has anyone ever told you that you've got a beautiful smile?
Jade (blushes a bit): You're sweet.
Zack: And you aren't as bad ass as you'd like everyone to believe.
Jade (bitterly): That's what has helped me.
Zack: How'd do you mean?
Jade: Nothing. Never mind.
Jade finished off her cup of coco and stared down at the floor, and then she looked up at Zack and thought that he had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.
Jade: Zack I have to tell you something…
Her vision got blurry for a second and she closed her eyes to clear them. Upon opening them she heard Zack's voice and saw the worry in his eyes.
Zack: You ok?
Jade: Yeah. I need to tell you…
Before she could say anymore her eyes closed and she fell back unconscious.
~~~~~TBC~~~~~