Chapter 6: Possible break through

Disclaimer: Read chapter 1.

A/N: S.D.G. changed to Canidae.

Bold = Thoughts/ POV

Italics = emphasis

[] = telephone conversation

~~~~~ = scene change

            I was running through the forest, my bare feet wet because of the newly made puddles of water from melted snow. I kept running till I heard a gun shot, then I stopped, and I saw blood dripping on my feet…my blood. What happened next was a dream but it felt so real, I fell backwards into the river and I kept going and going until at last someone pulled me up but not out. I thought I was looking in a mirror but it was me standing there. She pulled me up but then she pushed my head back into the water and I couldn't stop her…stop…myself. I couldn't swim, I couldn't do anything, all I could do was drown. I looked up at myself and it wasn't me anymore, I was both surprised and frightened to see who was staring back at me. It was Commander Galloway and he was smiling…smiling because he had won and I had lost…smiling because he had finally gotten me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            I woke up in a cold sweat and realized it was only a nightmare. I looked around and it dawned on me that I was downstairs and I kept looking. I saw the fire had gone down, the candles had burned out, and it was daybreak but still raining. I couldn't remember what happened last night after I tried to tell Zack 'thank you,' I don't think I ever got around to it. Then I looked to the next of me and there was Zack asleep and naked; finally I took a look at myself and I was naked also.

~~~~~Night before~~~~~

            Zack went into soldier mode when Jade went unconscious. He checked her pulse but realized that she collapsed because she was freezing, her whole body was and she was shaking. He came to the conclusion that she had hypothermia and the only way he knew to take care of that was through body heat. So he stripped down to his boxer's and then undressed Jade. He put her and himself under the blankets near the fire and wrapped his arms around Jade's body trying to get her as warm as possible.

~~~~~Present day~~~~~ 

            Jade finally spotted her clothes and got up to put them on. Zack stirred a bit then he awoke; he saw Jade putting on her shirt which was the last article of clothing she needed to put on.

Jade (sitting on the couch): Care to tell me what went down last night.

Zack (sitting up straight): What do you mean?

Jade: We didn't…you know…have---

Zack (cutting her off since he knew where she was getting at): Jade you weren't drunk you were sick, you had hypothermia and the only way I know how to get rid of that is…

Jade (finishing his sentence): Is through body heat.

Zack: Yeah.

Jade (getting up to go to the kitchen): Ok well, get dressed, we'll have some breakfast, and I'll drop you off wherever you need to be.

Zack (curiously): Would it have been that bad if you know…we…I mean you and me…

Jade (stopping in her tracks, facing him, and realizing what he was saying): Oh no. I just would have liked to remember it is all.

Zack: What do you remember from last night?

Jade: I wanted to thank you but I went unconscious before I could. So I'm thanking you know. Thanks.

Zack: For what exactly? I thought you only did so much.

Jade: Mostly for saving my life and just being here with me last night. It's been a long time since I've been with someone without actually being with them. You know?

Zack: Yeah.

Jade (quietly): It was nice, so thanks.

Zack: You're welcome.

            Jade smiled, then turned around, and went back into the kitchen to make some eggs and toast.

            Later that day Jade dropped Zack off at Logan's penthouse and then she drove off to work.

            Upstairs, Logan was in his computer room when Zack came in; Zack remembered that Max was at work so him and Logan began to talk. Logan questioned him about his whereabouts last night and Zack obviously didn't tell him the whole truth only about the part where he was eavesdropping on Jade and the officers' conversation. After awhile Zack started questioning Logan on Jade and before long he knew what had happened to her and where she was from; also he found out that Jade knew Max was from Manticore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~One week later~~~~~

            It was going to be Lee's First day back home form the hospital today.

            In Maria's car on their way back to the loft Jade had explained everything that had gone down during the hold up. She wasn't really all that surprised to see that they were astonished about the fact that all she got out of it was a couple of bruises and a gun shot wound; although they were glad that's all she came out with. All of them would be so thrilled once this whole situation was over with, and those bustards were put away for life.

            That evening Lee was saying 'goodbye' to Sketchy and Herbal who had dropped by to welcome him home. Now he was all alone, Jade was suppose to be back from work soon and Max and Cindy were also going to drop by as he was told by Herbal and Sketchy.

            The TV was on and Lee was lying on the couch watching some old gray and white TV show, while eating a PB and J sandwich. As he took the last bite of his sandwich there was a knock at his door.

            Upon opening it there was Max, Cindy, Max's boyfriend and brother plus a blond haired woman and a brunette haired man that he had never met before. He invited them in and indicated for them to take a seat, and then Max introduced him to Syl and Krit. They all talked for about an hour until all of them heard the door open and close and a familiar voice echoed through the hallway.

Jade (rolling in her bike and trying to balance a box of pizza on the seat): Lee?! Lee, you here?!

Lee: Yea, we're in here.

Jade (going into the kitchen and setting the pizza on the counter, then heading to the living room): We?

            Once she arrived in the living room she saw the all too familiar faces. 

Lee (smiles): Hey Jade. You remember everyone.

Jade (taking off her coat): Um…yea, hi guys.

            Everyone said 'hello' and Lee introduced Syl and Krit. Jade couldn't help but comment on Max's big family, in return Max shot a fake smile and rolled her eyes when she thought no one was looking. What she didn't know was that Original Cindy had seen and would comment about it to her later.

Lee: So Jade what are your plans for tonight?

Jade: Not much, me and Maria are gonna go down to this New Mexican restaurant slash dance club called Acapulco that opened up in sector eight.

Lee (faking sadness): I'm gonna be all alone for dinner then?

Jade: Yea buddy but you'll survive. Speaking of dinner there is a box of pizza sitting on the kitchen counter with your name on it.

Lee: You are too kind.

Jade (walking up the stairs): So what else is new?

            Upstairs Jade hopped into the shower and was out like fifteen minutes later. While she had her hair wrapped in a towel she got dressed, then put on make-up, blow dried her hair, and finally designed it the way she wanted to.

            Jade came down the stairs in a strapless silver dress. One side of the dress came down to her knee and the other side went just a little down past her other knee. There was some dangly things hanging at the bottom of the dress and the top of the dress had sparkles on it. She had silver stiletto healed shoes--that were strapless at the back-- on; and her hair was down and done in curls with some jeweled bobby pins in it. Her make-up was mostly natural colors with a hint of shimmer on her eyes and shiny lip gloss; plus she had on some glitter on her neckline and where her dress had no straps.

            All the guys thought she looked pretty hot, so did Original Cindy. Max lightly slapped Logan on the shoulder and that brought him out of staring at her; but it made Max smile a little when he said 'ow.'

            Jade grabbed her leather jacket and put her keys, wallet, and cell, phone in the inside pockets of it. Looking around she realized there was nothing left for her to do but wait for Maria. Finally looking up from her newly done task she saw the guys staring at her and couldn't help but blush a little.

Jade: What is it?

Lee (coming out of reverie): Oh nothing just thought you looked very nice.

Jade: And you say I'm too kind?

Lee: Well what can I say? I'm a pretty nice guy.

            Jade wasn't used to all the attention so she pretended like she had forgotten something upstairs and left; but before she did she told Lee to tell Maria to head on upstairs if she came before she was finished.

            Ten minutes later there was a knock at the door and upon opening it Lee saw a very lovely looking Maria. Walking in, she gave Lee a big hug.

            Maria was wearing a black sparkling halter top, with a reddish-brownish leather mini skirt, and black leather boots that came up to her knees.  She had on a long leather coat that was the same color as her skirt, her hair was done up in a high ponytail, and she was wearing dark colored make-up; plus her neckline also contained glitter.

            When she and Lee returned to the living room he reintroduced everyone to her because he figured she forgot who they were. Lee informed Maria that Jade was up in her room so she walked over to the stairs, stood on the first step, and bellowed for Jade. Finally she stepped down and went to sit next to Lee.

            Krit who was sitting across from her couldn't help but eye her and smile. Before he thought Jade looked hot, but now, hands down, to him, Maria was the hottest girl he had ever seen.

            In her room Jade was looking at the necklace Conner had given her and was contemplating whether to keep it off or put it back on. Once she heard Maria calling her she grabbed it and headed down. On her way down she put it on, grabbed her jacket from the railing, and put that on as well.

Maria (getting up): Hey gurl, you ready to party or what?

Jade (smiles): Yup, let's go! By the way you look absolutely fab!

Maria: You too honey.

Jade (smiling): Guess great minds dress alike. Huh?

Maria: They sure do gurl, they sure do.

             Jade and Maria said their 'goodbyes' and left. Out in front of the building they got into Maria's blue Chevy Tahoe and drove off to the club.

~~~~~Acapulco~~~~~

            Once the duo got inside, the room was blaring with Latin music and people were dancing, eating, and having a real good time.

             The waiter showed the two to a table and came back to take their orders. Both Maria and Jade ordered fajitas but one ordered chicken and the other steak with a couple of strawberry margaritas.

Maria: Jade would it be wrong if I went home with hot boy sitting at the bar over there?

Jade (taking a look): No, but what happened to hot nurse man, Steve?

Maria (crinkling her nose): He's taken.

Jade (smiles): Oh, then by all means go for it.

            When they finished dinner Maria went over and asked the guy if he wanted to dance and he did. So while Jade was all alone at the table she ordered some yummy dessert.

            After Jade had finished with her dessert Maria and her friend had finished their dance and she was heading back to the table.

Maria: Did you eat dessert without me?

Jade (shamelessly): Of course but I think I'm going to order another round.

            Well after seven dances, three rounds of dessert, and one last round of margaritas Maria was ready to call it a night.

Maria: Jade you ready to go?

Jade (checking her watch): But it's only eleven-thirty.

Maria: Yea but I'm tired out from all that dancing and eating we did.

Jade: Tell you what, you go on ahead and I'll call you tomorrow.

Maria (hesitantly): Jade I don't wanna leave you alone, not after what happened to me.

Jade (reassuringly): Its fine, trust me, I will be alright.

            Maria reluctantly said 'ok' and told her 'goodbye' then left.

            Jade walked over to the bar and ordered a ginger ale, when she was putting away her wallet her keys fell out. A mystery man came, picked it up, and handed it to her.

Jade: Thanks.

Mystery man: No problem.

            Jade took a moment and looked at the guy he looked about six foot two, very tanned, maybe twenty-three years old, well built, muscular, with dark brown hair that was to his ears and neatly combed to the side. Jade couldn't help but notice his mesmerizing blue-green eyes; they looked so familiar to her she just couldn't put her finger on it.

Jade: Have we met before?

Mystery man: Maybe in another life.

Jade (extending her hand out): My name's Jade. Jade Hunter.

Mystery man (taking it): Well Jade Hunter I'm Shane Black.

Jade: It's nice to meet you.

Shane: Dido but to tell you the truth I came here to see if you would like to dance.

Jade (hesitant at first): Sure, that'd be nice.

            They danced to the music and Jade had her head on Shane's shoulder and she could feel his hot breathe on her neck and it felt comforting in a way. Although all of this also felt so surreal like déjà vu, something from her past that was buried deep down inside, to far down beyond her reach.

            The song ended and they both stopped, their faces were inches away from each other and they stared into one another's eyes. They were like that for a few moments till Jade broke away.

Jade: I need to be going. Thanks for the dance.

Shane: Can I walk you to your car?

Jade: Actually I'm walking home.

Shane: Even better.

Jade: It's a pretty long way.

Shane: I'm not complaining.

            They walked in silence for what seemed like forever but was only about twenty minutes. When they were a block or two away from Jade's building he commented on her necklace.

Shane: Nice necklace. Seems pretty old.

Jade: Thanks, and that's cuz it is.

            Once they reached her place Shane gave her a hug and when they parted he grabbed a lock of her hair and brushed it out of her eyes. Jade gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and entered the building. In the elevator Jade couldn't help thinking she had met this guy before because the way he spoke, moved, and acted towards her made her feel like they had known each other somehow.

            Up in her loft, she checked on Lee and he was sound asleep in his room. So she went up to hers', changed into some black fatigues, and grabbed a dagger as a weapon just in case if an emergency presented itself.

            Jade quietly left the loft and headed towards the access door that led her to the roof. She scaled the rooftops till she spotted Shane on the other side of the street. She had come to realize that he was heading into Foggle Towers so she must have passed a couple sectors. Something made her turn away from spying on him; she heard noises coming from behind the building she was on top of. Jade made her way towards the other end and saw Zack being attacked by five people. 

            Damn myself for having a conscience. Jade went down a couple flights of the fire escape stairs then jumped off landing swiftly on her feet. She fought two of the guys and Zack was fighting another man and woman. Out of the corner of her eye she saw another female take a lead pipe and go after Zack. She yelled out his name but it was too late, the girl had slashed Zack's ribs and he fell in pain. She was going to hit him in the back but Jade took out her knife and threw it at her hand and thus made her drop the pipe and yell out in pain. Jade quickly went over to the girl and gave a quick blow to the head rendering her unconscious. She took her knife out of the girl's hand and went to help Zack.

Zack (getting up in pain): What are you doing here?

Jade: Saving your ass. Come on I'll help you back to Logan's.

Zack: No, I don't want them to see me like this.

Jade: Then let me take you to the hospital.

Zack: No.

Jade (frustrated): Fine let me take you to my place.

Zack (grudgingly): Ok.

            Jade helped him and they walked all the way back to her place. Once they arrived Jade put a finger to her lips and indicated for Zack to be quit. He followed her up the stairs and into her bedroom.

Jade (going into the bathroom): Have a seat and I'll be back in a minute.

            Zack took a seat on the edge of her bed, took off his jacket, and laid it down next to him.

~~~~~In the bathroom~~~~~

            Jade got a small bowl from underneath the sink cupboard and poured some warm water, and then she grabbed a small hand towel. She also grabbed the first aid kit, on her way out the knife she had taken with, caught her attention, so she paused, put everything down, and went to pick it up.

            Jade kept staring at the blood on the blade and she kept remembering on how she sent it flying without a second thought. She saw how it pierced the girl's flesh, how blood came rushing out of it, much like her gun shot wound. No matter how much she tried, it was like there would always be something to remind her of the blood…always. She took a few more moments staring at the blade with the dried blood, and then she put it on the sink and decided to clean it later.

~~~~~In her room~~~~~

Jade (coming back in with supplies): Take off your shirt.

Zack (doing it): Why Miss Hunter that's a little forward of you, don't you think?

Jade (rolling her eyes and smiling): Ha, ha.

            Jade cleaned the dried up blood with the damp cloth, then she cleaned the wounds with alcohol swabs and antiseptic, she then bandaged it all up. She also told Zack that he might have some bruised or broken ribs.

            After everything was finished Jade changed from her black fatigues into sweat pants and a tank top. She came out of the bathroom and checked her watch it was already one-thirty in the morning; also it was a good thing she didn't have to work in the morning. Jade stood at the foot of her bed and contemplated their sleeping arrangements.

Jade (grabbing a blanket and pillow): You take the bed; I'll take the floor, since you're hurt.

Zack: No its ok I'll take the floor.

Jade (firmly): No you're hurt.

Zack (thinking for a bit): How 'bout you sleep under the covers and I'll sleep on top of them.

Jade (contemplating it): No it's too risky, you can catch a cold. I have a thought, we're both mature adults, we can certainly sleep in the same bed without anything happening between us.

Zack (agreeing): Ok.

            They both got into bed and Jade was about to turn off the bedside lamp when Zack made her stop.

Zack: You're bleeding.

Jade (looking at her shoulder): Must've gotten some stitches loose. No biggie.

            Zack reached over and got the towel she had left there and applied it to her wound.

Jade: That's not necessary.

Zack: I know, but I'm just returning the favor.

Jade: I thought that's what I was doing.

Zack (jokingly): Is that what that was? Seriously though, what were you doing there tonight?

Jade: Taking a walk.

Zack: In the middle of the night?

Jade: What can I say? I have trouble sleeping.

Zack (dropping it): Ok.

Jade (curiously): Zack can I ask you a question?

Zack: Sure.

Jade: Are you from Manticore?

Zack: Yea thought you would have that figured out by now.

Jade: I had an idea but I wasn't sure.

Zack: Now can I ask you something?

Jade: Yea.

Zack: Are you from Canidae?

Jade (a little shocked): I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

Zack: Funny.

Jade: Yes, I am from Canidae, did Logan tell you?

Zack: Uh huh, are you mad?

Jade: You think I would be and I thought I would be too but I'm not. I'm sort of relieved cuz it saves me the trouble of doing it.

Zack: Guess it does.

Jade: Since you and Max are from Manticore does that mean Syl and…

Zack (finishing her sentence): Syl and Krit are from there too.

Jade: I see. How many of you escaped?

Zack: Twelve. You?

Jade: Eight, which was my whole unit.

Zack: Have you had any contact with any of them since the escape?

Jade: No. I tried to find them at one point but I sort of gave up. Then Logan comes along and tells me he'll help me find them if only I help him and Eyes Only.

Zack: And?

Jade: And what? I turned him down; I haven't found them what makes Logan think he can.

Zack: Because—

Jade (cutting him off): Zack lets just drop this and go to sleep, please.

Zack: Ok.

            He put the rag on the bedside table next to him and Jade turned off the lamp next to her.

Jade: Zack?

Zack: Yea?

Jade: Do you snore?

Zack (smiles): I don't know. It's been a long time since I've been in the position for anyone to tell me.

            With that they both closed their eyes and went to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            I was back in the water again and I couldn't get out, I wanted to yell but I knew when I opened my mouth it would kill me faster. Galloway stood there looking at me with a smug look on his face. They say the eyes of a man are the window to his soul, he had none, and it was just like looking into an empty black bottomless pit.

            All of a sudden I saw movement; behind some trees was a boy, not older then thirteen. He looked so afraid and I couldn't blame him, I wanted to know who he was but he was so far away. As I felt my life slipping away something happened, I was finally free and out of the water. Zack was standing there with a knife in his hand…my knife and Galloway was on the ground, curled up in a ball next to his own pool of blood…dead?

            Zack helped me to my feet and wrapped his coat around me; I hugged him in appreciation and when we parted he lightly kissed me on the lips and oddly we were both content.

            Then the little boy quickly and quietly came out of hiding and I recognized him as my brother. I slowly left Zack's side and went to him, when I reached his side he had totally changed from a thirteen year old boy to an early twenties man. I gasped in shock when I saw his face and I couldn't help but keep staring at him till someone brought me out of reverie.

            I watched Zack as he fell to the floor dead, killed by Galloway himself. "No! You're dead!" I shouted. "Tsk tsk Jade, I thought I taught you better then that," he replied smugly. I yelled, "You son of a bitch!" and ran towards him hell bent on snapping the man's neck; but I was held back by my brother, his grip on my arms was so strong I couldn't get loose. Galloway stood there looking at Zack then back at me as he spoke. "When things start to get bad and then worse you won't choose him—looking at Zack—you'll choose you're brother." With that he laughed an evil laugh and purposefully backed into the water.

            I finally got free from my brother's grip and ran to Zack, I cradled his lifeless head into my lap and I began to cry saying 'Zack you can't be dead!'

            Jade awoke with a start yelling out Zack's name, when she turned around to face his side of the bed he wasn't there and she looked out the window to see it was already morning.

~~~~~TBC~~~~~