You Made Me Beautiful: The Sequel
Part Six
Brenna "Snakelady" Dawkins
A Jackie Chan Adventures Fanfic
Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Jackie Chan and subsequent characters belong to Jackie Chan and associates. It'd be pretty useless to sue me since I have nothing! I've made no profit nor will see any from this fic.
Summary: With VampireNaomi's permission, I have taken it upon myself to continue her fic since she had no plans to. When we last saw Finn, he was at the mercy of the evil William and it seems no one is there to help the thief--- or is there?
Finn had no clue what had transpired that afternoon. One minute he was waiting for Jade to return from school, the next, that old fart had come into the room and offered him some chicken salad. He'd scarfed it and the next thing he remembered, he woke up with his head cradled in Jade's arms. That was weird. He didn't remember Jade coming home. She seemed very happy to see him. He managed a weak tail wag which won him a good ear scratching.
"Hi, Finn. Feeling any better?"
A little, just confused, he wanted to say. Jade stroked him soothingly and he sighed. Oh well. Jade was home now. He was already starting to feel better, but he didn't want to move. When Jade pet him like that, he didn't want her to stop.
Jade smiled and continued the attentions.
Ten days had passed. Jackie had been truly amazed at how inseparable those two had become. Zephyr was shaping up to be a model house dog. He seemed to actually obey Jade and though he still showed active dislike towards anyone BUT Jade, Jackie trusted him. Which was strange. The dog was so massive and intimidating that you'd expect it to rip the head off anyone who came close. But he proved to be more docile then Jackie could have hoped for. He had placed pictures of Zephyr all over San Fran, to see if anyone had lost their dog. He hoped that that he had no previous owners, at least, any that would miss him. Jade was quite taken with him. So far, no one had responded to the ads.
In fact, things had gotten quite routine. Jade was even less prone to getting in trouble with Zephyr around. The dog kept her attention away from possible danger and for Jackie, it had been a very peaceable ten days. He'd been able to go on an expedition without any surprise tag a-longs. It was nice for a change. Even Captain Black had to admit that Zephyr was an okay dog, though he still wasn't allowed to freely roam the facility.
Jade no longer led Zephyr around with a leash in the compound. The big dog followed her obediently, almost, Jackie mused, like the two had an agreement between each other. He noted how she was always whispering something or other into the Wolfhound's ear, almost as if she was conspiring with the dog. But despite all that, Jackie was very pleased as to how she was handling the responsibility. He hadn't had to remind her to take care of Zephyr once.
Jackie had tried to make friends with Zephyr on several occasions. The only time the dog let him get near without growling was if Jackie offered him something from the table. But even then, when Jackie would try to pet Zephyr, he'd receive a hearty growl and Jackie wouldn't push his luck further. He didn't want to know what it felt like to be bitten by the huge dog. Zephyr never warmed up to Uncle either. He didn't growl so much at Tohru as he did everyone else, but maybe that was because Tohru pretended the dog wasn't there. It was difficult to pretend a dog the size of a small pony wasn't hanging around. But hey, whatever worked.
He'd felt anxious about the dog spending so much time cooped up in Jade's room all day. But he was constantly out and about and Uncle refused to tend to the animal and Tohru, well, it couldn't be helped. But Zephyr seemed to behave himself during the time. When he had been home, he'd often gone in to check on the dog. Jade always had left the television on for him to watch, or listen, or whatever. Jackie gave Jade some money to get the dog some toys to play with while she was at school. She'd gone nuts at the pet store. She was going to spoil that dog, he had thought to himself.
Jackie glanced at the clock as he worked on the inventory for the latest exhibit at the museum he worked at. Jade was due home anytime now. She'd come bursting in, breeze past him to her room and take Zephyr out for a walk. The dog was finicky when it came to using the newspaper as a toilet for some reason. He would use it, but almost, only as if he had no other choice. It seemed he preferred going outside. Jade seemed to enjoy the walks. It got her outside and some exercise and most importantly, away from the lab. So Jackie didn't mind if one of Zephyr's habits actually helped him out. If Zephyr knew how appreciative Jackie was, would the dog still choose to only go outside when he could? Jackie went back to his inventory.
Finn watched the clock anxiously. Jade should have been back forty- five minutes ago! He stared hard at the door as if that alone could produce the eleven-year-old that much faster. Jade hadn't said anything to him about being late. She always would tell him if she had a detention or something scheduled after school. On those days, he'd reluctantly used the newspaper. He minced his steps. He had to use the tree! Where was she? Jackie had looked in on him once earlier that day. He'd had to go to the restroom then, but not too badly. He wasn't about to let the Chan man take him for walkies! Only Jade had that, um, privilege?
Almost two hours later still produced no Jade. Finn was getting worried now. This was not like her at all. Well, maybe she'd called in to one of her uncles for some unexpected school thing? If she had, it was unlikely Jackie would come in and give him the news so he'd know not to worry. He'd had to use the paper. He hadn't been able to hold onto it any longer. Where was she? He hopped upon the bed and worried at the rawhide bone she'd given him.
Three hours since Jade was due home had passed and Finn was at her door, barking loudly and feeling very annoyed. Someone better tell him SOMETHING! He demanded to know where Jade was! He barked continuously for fifteen minutes before anyone came to the door. When it opened, Zephyr shoved his way out and looked around for Jade.
"See, Uncle, even Zephyr knows something is wrong." It had been Jackie who had opened the door and let the dog out.
Uncle harumphed and said something derogatory about the horse, but Finn ignored him.
"Zephyr, will help us find Jade, won't you, boy?" Jackie talked at Finn.
Finn heard the tension in Jackie's voice and knew his nemesis was worried. Ordinarily, he'd taken great pleasure in Jackie's fear, but this involved Jade, and she was missing and so Finn couldn't. Finn whined and for once when Jackie grabbed Finn's collar, he didn't growl. He had a feeling he knew what Jackie wanted out of him and he felt obliged to cooperate. Jackie hooked up the leash to his collar and shoved one of Jade's shirts into his snout. Finn wanted to roll his eyes. He already had her scent memorized. He didn't need an aide! He snorted and pulled away.
Jackie almost had his arm pulled out of the socket. Zephyr was leading the way with Jackie holding onto his leash and barely keeping pace. Uncle, crossly commanded them to slow it down. Tohru could move a lot faster then it looked what with all his bulk. They were out of Section 13 and headed towards Jade's school. Zephyr never missed a beat. Jackie took note of the direction he was going and he knew the dog truly had Jade's scent.
They made it to her school fast enough. The dog snuffed and snorted, walking in circles out in front of the school. Uncle grumbled and reminded Jackie if he had waited, he could have made a chi locator spell that was more reliable and a lot less ugly. But Jackie had said too much time had passed already and they couldn't wait any longer. So they followed Zephyr who had his nose constantly to the ground, using his sorry tracking skills to their utmost.
Finn panicked if he lost the scent. Would go around in wide circles near the location until he caught it again. The trail led to the back of the school, towards the pitiful sprawl of a small greenbelt. The scents wafting in from that location were powerful and heady, but nothing could mask the scent he knew best. Her scent went in that direction. Strange. He stopped and went in circles again, trying to decipher something his eyes couldn't see. Two scents? One was Jade's, one was--- how could that also be familiar? He was confused and inhaled with all his might and held his breath, letting the scent linger untainted in his nostrils. It was foul. Finn snorted and tossed his head. The foul stench stayed. That stench mingled with Jade's trail too close for comfort for Finn.
Nose back to the ground, he followed. He hesitated when he came across a rock. He rolled it over with his huge paws, his nose all over it. There was also a dark stain upon its surface. Finn did not like the way the rock smelled. It reminded him of the way his shoulder had smelled when it had been ripped open by William. God! Finn paused and trembled. He knew where that second scent came from! William! That monster had Jade! Oh God! Finn wanted to swear out loud but could only bark.
"What is it, Zephyr? What have you found?" Jackie asked the dog.
"Idiot horse tracked us all the way over here for a ro-o-o-o-ock?" Uncle whined unhappily.
Finn smelled the rock. God! Please no, the dark stain, the metallic scent, that could be only one thing he smelled, blood, and it was Jade's! Finn whined and pawed the rock in agitation.
"Zephyr found a clue, Uncle." Jackie stooped and picked up the rock, inspecting it. He too saw the dark stain and frowned, hoping he didn't suspect what that stain was. "Uncle. Look."
Uncle adjusted his glasses unamused. "It is a rock!"
"But look what's on the rock." Jackie instructed feeling irritated with Uncle's stubbornness.
Uncle harrumphed and leaned in to get a closer look. Then gasped, "Ai-I-I-I-I-y-a-a-ah!"
"What is it, Sensei?" Tohru asked respectfully from behind his teacher.
"Jade's blood." Uncle nearly whispered.
Finn pulled against the leash, trying to go towards the greenbelt.
"Follow the horse!" Uncle ordered Jackie.
"Yes, Uncle." Jackie sighed and did what he planned on doing anyway.
They all followed the huge Wolfhound with trepidation. Through the small sliver of woods the trail led. Finn smelt other scents left by those small creatures that tended to hang out in such places and call it home. But he would not be distracted and continued on. He was trailed by the Chan clan. Finn could smell what must have been fear coming out in thick waves from those behind him. He couldn't blame them. He was terrified of what he might find, but he thought he had a clearer idea then they as to what he was leading them to. He knew William and it invoked a flurry of emotions for Jade, some of them he didn't want to understand because those feelings were more frightening then William himself.
The small patch of woods broke out into a street that looked like it had seen better days. There was a row of abandoned buildings behind scheduled for demolition. But he could smell William and Jade, their scent trail led to the building, a building very much like the home Finn knew the beast was used to. The closer he drew near the building, the stronger the two main scents became. Underlying those were other scents that he was pretty sure was coming from William and Jade as well. He just hadn't the understanding of what those scents meant.
He led them into one of the buildings. He could smell Jade all around. Finn hunted and he had a feeling they were getting closer and he knew he didn't want to see what was at the end of that trail of blood- scent.
Valmont, Chow, and Ratso were hunkered beside a newspaper, trying to find any good leads for the next attempted robbery. Ratso happened to look up and spy Chan and his friends making great haste to get somewhere. It looked like they had a huge monster on a leash that was dragging Chan along like he was nothing.
"Hey, Big V. Check out the Chan's." Ratso pointed.
"Well, well." Valmont glowered at his enemies unbeknownst to Chan. "Looks like a party. Shall we follow and crash it?"
"By all means." Chow was curious as well.
"They're going into that building." Ratso took note.
Valmont had them stop. "Then we wait and see."
Jade was bound by old wire and cable that William had pulled out from the walls and she dangled from the rafters; her shoes a few feet from the ground. Her arms were bound by more cable. She had been there for a handful of hours. Somehow, that creature had gotten the jump on her. He'd startled her in the schoolyard after the last bell. She'd been knocked out and when she woke up again, there was a sharp pain on the back of her head. Jade had struggled against her bonds, but knew that William tied a good knot from experience.
Suddenly, he was there, inches away from her nose. She hadn't heard his approach. She jerked at the sudden appearance. A spark of fear entered her. Jade had an idea of what William was capable of. He'd tormented Finn, now was she to be next?
"You, I know you. You were the one who stole my perfect Red Hair. You and the bird are the very same." He made a show of smelling her. "You smell the same." He pulled his lips back in a terrifying grin that looked like it would split his face in two. "You stole my Red Hair. Now, you shall take his place. Though you are not as perfect as he. But your screams will be just as pleasing, though your smell is not."
"Get away from me!" She shouted at him.
But he only grinned broader and she saw those deadly rows of teeth. Those same teeth that had taken a bite out of Finn and now it looked like she was to be next.
"Leave me alone, you freak! You're nothing but a wanna be boogie man!" She screamed uselessly at him. "I've seen Garbage Pail Kids dolls scarier then you!"
William hissed. "Wicked tongue. Perhaps we should cut it out so it can only utter the sounds of screams!"
He had her face in his iron grip. Jade struggled but it was no use. He was hopelessly stronger then she was and she was alone. Was this how it felt for Finn when he was in that place with William? She couldn't imagine feeling this way for however long he'd been there. From what she'd gathered, it had been a very long time.
"And now you will scream!" William told her simply and to help the first scream along, he took his very long finger nail and poised it right above her collar bone. "Scre-e-e-eam for me-e-e-e!" He stabbed her through with his nail and her scream was high and piercing from the pain.
William preened in that sound. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of her fear and of fresh blood. He kept his nail plunged deep inside her and threw his head back, grinning with fulfilled pleasure.
"Beautiful screams, even from one such as you!" He breathed.
"Stop it now!"
Jade jerked around at the sound of her Uncle Jackie's voice. "Jackie- e-e-e-e! Help me!" She pleaded.
"Jade!"
Jackie dropped the leash and Finn lunged, Jackie and Tohru followed at a dead run. Finn hurled himself at William, but William knocked him aside. Jackie spun around and into a flying kick that knocked William to the ground. Tohru yelled and gave William a ground shaking body slam.
"Alright Jackie and Tohru!" Jade cheered. "Zephyr!" She cried.
Finn came up to her, snorting against the heavy scent of her blood. Now it was his turn to free her. Finn took hold of the wire cable with his teeth and pulled. He pulled with all his strength, but all he did was pull Jade along, his teeth could not cut the cable.
Uncle materialized beside them. He grabbed the rope not far from where Finn gripped the rope with his teeth. Finn rolled his eye Uncle's way.
"Uncle!" Jade called out happily.
"Maybe horse has some sense after all." Uncle conceded then produced a pocket knife from his pants pocket. "He was the one who brought us here."
Finn didn't growl at Uncle's closeness. It was about as mutual a compliment as either of them could give each other. Finn positioned himself under Jade. Uncle cut the last tie loose and Jade slipped free, sliding onto Finn's back.
"Get her out of here." Uncle told him.
Finn obeyed. Jade leaned forward and grabbed hold of his fur and he ran.
"Jackie! Jade is safe!" Uncle called out.
The monster looked like it was knocked out from Tohru's body slam. Tohru stood and shrugged. "What do we do with it now?"
Jackie faced Tohru, not certain. Whatever this beast was, it was dangerous. He couldn't let such a creature roam freely around San Francisco. "I'll call Captain Black and get a containment team over here."
Tohru nodded, satisfied. But then asked, "Will Jade be alright?"
Jackie's brows creased with concern for his niece. "You know Jade."
Tohru chuckled and nodded. Then fell forward from a blow to the head. Jackie backed up. The monster had been playing dead, it seemed. Tohru was knocked out cold and Jackie knew the man wasn't playing.
Jackie gave a startled yelp as the monster ran at him, then dodged him at the last minute, running past him full tilt. Where was it going, Jackie wondered. Then his blood ran cold. The monster acted as if it had unfinished business--- with Jade.
Finn had her out of the building and stopped running when he reached the street, waiting for the rest of the Chan's to come out. He panted from the exertion but felt very pleased with himself. He'd found Jade! Found her before any major harm had come upon her!
"Finn!" Jade rubbed her head against his neck. She was in pain but she felt safe. "You came for me. I thought I was alone there." She kissed his neck. "Thank you." A little of her blood dropped onto his hair.
Finn felt good and yet flustered at the same time. Why'd she have to do things like that to him? Why did she have to confuse him like that? Just when he thought he had a handle on how he felt about her, she went and upped the stakes. She leaned fully across his back, wrapping her arms around him. She buried her face into his neck. Finn heaved a shaky sigh.
The two were surprised when they were knocked to the ground. Finn felt someone step squarely on his stomach and then step away. The scent told him it was William. William? If William was here, then where was Chan? Finn suddenly felt frantic. NO! That bastard was still after her! He forced himself up and staggered as he tried to find his footing.
He stumbled and turned, seeing William pick Jade up by the neck. Hate pushed him forward. William would harm no one else after that day! He threw himself at William. Jackie and Uncle ran from the building in time to see. Tohru followed soon after, rubbing the back of his head.
Finn clamped his jaws around William's neck. He wasn't about to let go. His snarls were muffled by the effort to keep hold of the now yowling William. Jade was being jerked around like a rag doll. William had a choice, drop the hostage and defend himself, or keep a hold of Jade and let his throat be ripped out by an enraged Finn. William seemed to realize those were the only two options. In anger, he threw Jade several feet from him like she was a cord of wood. She hit the ground hard, sprawling. Finn didn't let William go. He wanted William to suffer. To writhe and shriek in pain like the monster had made him writhe and shriek. And more importantly, to make the beast pay for what he'd done to Jade. Finn had come to terms with the fact that he loved Jade. It had been a rough ride and sometimes Finn had wondered if he was being punished. But now he knew better. He loved her and it would kill him if anything had happened to her.
Jade had been tossed away from the two groups that surrounded them. Her head hurt and she had new scrapes from skidding across the ground from the toss. She rubbed her chin. It had hit the ground, making her teeth clatter painfully. It was bleeding from a new cut. Her wrists and palms ached as well as her stomach, which had gotten road burn from the fall and from her sweatshirt being pushed up because of the skid. She felt shaky and managed to lift her upper body up. She wanted to see what was going on. She'd been jerked around so much by William, she hadn't a chance to see anything. But she thought she had heard Finn's snarling while William jerked her around by her neck.
Now she could see everything and she was speechless. Finn, the very same Finn who always tended to run when he had the option to save his hide had a death grip on the very dangerous and vicious William. William had no compunction against killing, Jade sensed, while Jackie didn't even like to draw blood. Finn would run from Jackie when it became clear he wasn't going to win, and now, even though it was clear that Finn could never win such a battle with William, he was giving it his all.
She wanted to stop it, to go and help Finn somehow who was wriggling and twisting as his jaws remained clamped on Williams neck. William was clawing and cursing at Finn's huge body, trying to knock Finn silly and gut him in the process. She wanted to help, but there wasn't anything she could do, just watch in horror and wait for it to end, and she feared she wasn't going to like the ending. William would win. She knew it and it made her want to cry.
Valmont and Chow and Ratso watched the scene with interest. Valmont knew the Chan's had been up to something and was pleased he'd followed his hunch. Now was the perfect time to rid himself of that parasite William.
"Chow," Valmont said with his usual authority, "Get out your gun."
"Um, okay, Valmont." Chow did as he was instructed.
"Kill William."
Chow balked. "Um-m-m-m. But the dog---"
Chow was unable to get a clean shot because of the big dog was completely blocking William. Finn in his dog form while standing, was as tall as a man, but taller then William.
"SO?" Valmont demanded crossly.
Chow hesitated. "But I'll kill the dog."
Valmont gave him a withering look and Chow wilted. Chow was going to hate himself in the morning. He aimed his gun, trying to get a good shot, but the dog just wasn't going to make that possible. He held his breath, aimed for a place where he thought the bullet would go straight through unhindered and hit it's main target. It was a good thing Jade had her attention centered on the fight in front of her or else she would have done something stupid like get in the way of the shot. Chow squeezed the trigger.
Jade was watching Finn struggle with William. The creature had raked long bloody claw marks all down Finn's side and yet Finn still didn't let go. She knew Finn was in pain. She wanted so badly to go to him. She finally knew it for what it was. She loved Finn. Then she heard a sound. A loud, ear-splitting thunderous noise made her jump. That sounded like a gun--- at close range too. And just a split second after she heard the shot, she saw Finn convulse and heard his yelp of pain.
William roared. Finn heard the sound and knew the white hot pain for what it was. He'd been shot. And it hurt like Hell! William ripped Finn from him, flesh and other tissue tore from the neck from the forceful extraction. The beasts blood poured down Finn's throat, choking him. It was disgusting and he tried to spit it out, but Finn was too busy with being tossed across the road in much the same way Jade had been, but in the opposite direction. Finn landed on his back and rolled a few times before he came to a halt. He was bleeding in so many places, he couldn't pin point where it hurt the most. He didn't even feel like he could get up again. He just lay there on his side, bleeding and wondering if this was really it, if he was going to really die right there. He didn't even have the energy to turn over to see if Jade was safe and that distressed him. He could hear the commotion, the multiple gun shots from behind him and knew someone, probably the Dark Hand was taking William out. Where had they come from? He sighed. He was just someone who had gotten in the way. That was all he ever was, he supposed. Perhaps it was best for him to die now. At least he'd die a hero instead of as the coward he knew he really was.
"FINN!" Tears were thick in Jade's eyes. She saw Finn get shot. She didn't want to believe it!
That outburst gave everyone pause. Jackie, body singing with adrenaline just waiting to be released wondered why Jade cried out the Enforcers name. Finn wasn't even there, come to think of it. Valmont was there as well as Chow and Ratso--- he hadn't even stopped to wonder why Finn wasn't there as well like usual. Jade's eyes were for the downed Zephyr. The dog had been shot. It was a shame. It was probably dead. It confused Jackie to no end.
Jackie wanted to go to his niece, but he wasn't sure if William was really down for the count. It looked like he was, but none of the Chan's and none of the Dark Hand were willing to approach and make sure the creature was dead. Jackie couldn't go to Jade because she was on the opposite side. If he went to her, he'd be directly in Chow's line of fire.
Jade stood and bolted. The movement made Chow, who was already feeling jumpy, draw a bead on her. His finger was still poised on the trigger and he was freaked out. He exhaled heavily and pointed his weapon up, letting her go to her dog. Weird how she named that mongrel after Finn, he thought.
"Jade!" Jackie anxiously watched as she paid no heed to the gun wielding Dark Hand or to the monster that might not be dead. She breezed past them both and made it safely to Zephyr's bloody side. Jackie's heart remembered to beat again after that moment. Why'd she have to do things like that?
Jade knelt by Finn's head. The tears left long, wet tendrils down her cheeks.
Finn wasn't even aware of Jade's presence. He was concentrating on staying alive and it took a lot of effort. He heard sobbing somewhere from behind him but didn't have the energy to roll over and see. He lay there, tongue lolling on the street, his muzzle, teeth, and tongue coated in William's blood. He stared down the empty street, wondering at the sudden silence. The only noise he could detect was a continuous sobbing. He wondered if William was dead then, because he heard nothing from the monster. Finn felt two hands upon his head. They were shaking as his head was gently lifted and pulled into a lap. The scent he came to know better then his own hit him hard and he knew who it as that was holding him, knew who was crying over him. Jade.
Relief like he'd never felt warmed him. She was alive. He hadn't been sure after she'd been tossed to the side like that. He hadn't had a chance to inspect her wounds, to see if she was truly all right.
"Finn!" She sobbed his name, her body bent double as she held him to her. "I'm so sorry! Don't leave me!"
Finn whined which brought another shuddering sob from Jade. Her hands caressed his head. When they neared his muzzle, Finn licked her fingers. Finn sighed, at least he wasn't going to die alone and forgotten. He had a feeling Jade would never forget him. It made him feel better.
"Don't give up on me, Finn!" Jade whispered urgently into his ear. "Look. See this?" She whipped the monkey talisman out of her pocket and showed it to him. After the time she thought Finn had escaped to retrieve the talisman to change himself back, she'd go in there every day and hold it captive, much the same way she'd held Finn. She'd return it at night before anyone was the wiser. "I give you you're humanity back, Finn. As long as you promise you wont die!"
Finn whined again. His muzzle pressing against her stomach. The power of the talisman struck him. He was filled with magic once more. The change was instantaneous. The next thing Finn knew, he was back in his human form before a shocked bunch of onlookers. But Jade still clung on to Finn's head. She ran her fingers through his red hair, much the same way she'd stroked through Zephyr's.
"Don't die on me, Finn!" She sobbed and wished she had the foresight to have brought the horse as well.
It took most of his energy to reach up and grasp her hand in his. She could feel how little strength he had and was fearful. He placed her hand just behind his ear, in that place he'd loved her to scratch him as a dog. His hand flopped down, it's strength utterly spent.
"Don't cry for me, Argentina." He tried to make light of it in his usual way. The joke fell flat though.
Jade tried to smile at that, but all that got out of her was a hopeless moan. She continued to stroke his head, unaware of Jackie and the others approach.
"Jade?" Jackie was trying to make sense of it all. Had Finn been Zephyr all along? But--- why? How? Duh with the how, Jackie reminded himself as he saw the talisman in Jade's hand. He was going to have to have yet another stern talk with her about those. But he took one long look at the badly injured and bleeding Finn whom she was crying over and pulled out his cell phone, calling for an ambulance.
Chow stared, his gunhand limp at his side. He'd never felt so wretched before now as he looked at the body of what was probably his best friend. He'd shot his friend. Probably killed him! Chow let the gun drop and he began to tremble.
"I think this is our cue to go, boys." Valmont took one long look at Finn and also noted that no one was paying them any attention, which was a good thing.
Chow couldn't move, could hardly think of anything else. He almost went to Finn, but Ratso stopped him with a strong hand on his shoulder. Chow felt sick inside. He wanted to hurl right there. Ratso seemed to understand Chow's needs and helped the smaller Chinese man away as quickly as he could. The last thing they wanted to do was be around when the authorities showed up.
Jade never stopped petting Finn. She never stopped crying either. She looked up, vision fully blurred from her tears when she felt someone put a hand on her shoulder.
"Jade, an ambulance is on it's way." She heard Jackie say.
She stifled a sob and rubbed her eyes with one hand, the other gripped at Finn's red hair. "Is he going to die?"
Jackie knelt down beside his niece and the criminal she was hugging. Finn was laying there, his white jacket and pants were shredded and bloody. He could see where the monster had tried to gut Finn and almost succeeded. Finn lay there in a pool of his own blood. The Irishman's head lay in the lap of his niece. He could see the blood of the creature coating Finn's lips and smeared all over his face. Jackie realized Finn had risked his life to save that of Jade's. The least he could do was get the man needed medical attention and keep Captain Black from arresting him. He had a feeling Jade would never forgive him or Captain Black if that happened.
"I don't know, Jade." Jackie felt uncomfortable watching Jade coddle Finn that way. It was very intimate. But he'd feel like a cad if he made her stop.
Finn had been Zephyr the whole time. That thought kept running through Jackie's head as they waited for help to arrive. Finn, a dangerous member of the criminal organization of the Dark Hand. Who knew how many times this very man had tried to hurt and maim him, Uncle, Tohru, and especially Jade? He trusted Zephyr, but he didn't know if he could ever come to make himself trust Finn even though it turned out they were one in the same. Jackie shook his head. Finn had slept in his niece's room. Had Jade just forgotten that the dog was really Finn and just saw him as a dog and nothing more? But he looked at the way she hugged Finn, the way she wept and knew that she had remembered the whole time it was Finn. But why? Jackie wanted to know. Why had Finn been turned into a dog and kept that way?
Finn had no strength left. He had no idea he had lost so much blood. He wished he knew whether or not William was still alive. But he cracked an eye open and found not only Jade close by, but Jackie as well and knew Jackie would not fuss over him or Jade if William still posed any kind of threat. He closed his eyes again feeling oddly comforted in her arms. He was tired. Bone tired. Was it the sleep of death he was falling into, he wondered. It was peaceful, not scary at all like he thought dying would be. He didn't get much past that thought before the darkness took him.
To Be Continued---
Part Six
Brenna "Snakelady" Dawkins
A Jackie Chan Adventures Fanfic
Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Jackie Chan and subsequent characters belong to Jackie Chan and associates. It'd be pretty useless to sue me since I have nothing! I've made no profit nor will see any from this fic.
Summary: With VampireNaomi's permission, I have taken it upon myself to continue her fic since she had no plans to. When we last saw Finn, he was at the mercy of the evil William and it seems no one is there to help the thief--- or is there?
Finn had no clue what had transpired that afternoon. One minute he was waiting for Jade to return from school, the next, that old fart had come into the room and offered him some chicken salad. He'd scarfed it and the next thing he remembered, he woke up with his head cradled in Jade's arms. That was weird. He didn't remember Jade coming home. She seemed very happy to see him. He managed a weak tail wag which won him a good ear scratching.
"Hi, Finn. Feeling any better?"
A little, just confused, he wanted to say. Jade stroked him soothingly and he sighed. Oh well. Jade was home now. He was already starting to feel better, but he didn't want to move. When Jade pet him like that, he didn't want her to stop.
Jade smiled and continued the attentions.
Ten days had passed. Jackie had been truly amazed at how inseparable those two had become. Zephyr was shaping up to be a model house dog. He seemed to actually obey Jade and though he still showed active dislike towards anyone BUT Jade, Jackie trusted him. Which was strange. The dog was so massive and intimidating that you'd expect it to rip the head off anyone who came close. But he proved to be more docile then Jackie could have hoped for. He had placed pictures of Zephyr all over San Fran, to see if anyone had lost their dog. He hoped that that he had no previous owners, at least, any that would miss him. Jade was quite taken with him. So far, no one had responded to the ads.
In fact, things had gotten quite routine. Jade was even less prone to getting in trouble with Zephyr around. The dog kept her attention away from possible danger and for Jackie, it had been a very peaceable ten days. He'd been able to go on an expedition without any surprise tag a-longs. It was nice for a change. Even Captain Black had to admit that Zephyr was an okay dog, though he still wasn't allowed to freely roam the facility.
Jade no longer led Zephyr around with a leash in the compound. The big dog followed her obediently, almost, Jackie mused, like the two had an agreement between each other. He noted how she was always whispering something or other into the Wolfhound's ear, almost as if she was conspiring with the dog. But despite all that, Jackie was very pleased as to how she was handling the responsibility. He hadn't had to remind her to take care of Zephyr once.
Jackie had tried to make friends with Zephyr on several occasions. The only time the dog let him get near without growling was if Jackie offered him something from the table. But even then, when Jackie would try to pet Zephyr, he'd receive a hearty growl and Jackie wouldn't push his luck further. He didn't want to know what it felt like to be bitten by the huge dog. Zephyr never warmed up to Uncle either. He didn't growl so much at Tohru as he did everyone else, but maybe that was because Tohru pretended the dog wasn't there. It was difficult to pretend a dog the size of a small pony wasn't hanging around. But hey, whatever worked.
He'd felt anxious about the dog spending so much time cooped up in Jade's room all day. But he was constantly out and about and Uncle refused to tend to the animal and Tohru, well, it couldn't be helped. But Zephyr seemed to behave himself during the time. When he had been home, he'd often gone in to check on the dog. Jade always had left the television on for him to watch, or listen, or whatever. Jackie gave Jade some money to get the dog some toys to play with while she was at school. She'd gone nuts at the pet store. She was going to spoil that dog, he had thought to himself.
Jackie glanced at the clock as he worked on the inventory for the latest exhibit at the museum he worked at. Jade was due home anytime now. She'd come bursting in, breeze past him to her room and take Zephyr out for a walk. The dog was finicky when it came to using the newspaper as a toilet for some reason. He would use it, but almost, only as if he had no other choice. It seemed he preferred going outside. Jade seemed to enjoy the walks. It got her outside and some exercise and most importantly, away from the lab. So Jackie didn't mind if one of Zephyr's habits actually helped him out. If Zephyr knew how appreciative Jackie was, would the dog still choose to only go outside when he could? Jackie went back to his inventory.
Finn watched the clock anxiously. Jade should have been back forty- five minutes ago! He stared hard at the door as if that alone could produce the eleven-year-old that much faster. Jade hadn't said anything to him about being late. She always would tell him if she had a detention or something scheduled after school. On those days, he'd reluctantly used the newspaper. He minced his steps. He had to use the tree! Where was she? Jackie had looked in on him once earlier that day. He'd had to go to the restroom then, but not too badly. He wasn't about to let the Chan man take him for walkies! Only Jade had that, um, privilege?
Almost two hours later still produced no Jade. Finn was getting worried now. This was not like her at all. Well, maybe she'd called in to one of her uncles for some unexpected school thing? If she had, it was unlikely Jackie would come in and give him the news so he'd know not to worry. He'd had to use the paper. He hadn't been able to hold onto it any longer. Where was she? He hopped upon the bed and worried at the rawhide bone she'd given him.
Three hours since Jade was due home had passed and Finn was at her door, barking loudly and feeling very annoyed. Someone better tell him SOMETHING! He demanded to know where Jade was! He barked continuously for fifteen minutes before anyone came to the door. When it opened, Zephyr shoved his way out and looked around for Jade.
"See, Uncle, even Zephyr knows something is wrong." It had been Jackie who had opened the door and let the dog out.
Uncle harumphed and said something derogatory about the horse, but Finn ignored him.
"Zephyr, will help us find Jade, won't you, boy?" Jackie talked at Finn.
Finn heard the tension in Jackie's voice and knew his nemesis was worried. Ordinarily, he'd taken great pleasure in Jackie's fear, but this involved Jade, and she was missing and so Finn couldn't. Finn whined and for once when Jackie grabbed Finn's collar, he didn't growl. He had a feeling he knew what Jackie wanted out of him and he felt obliged to cooperate. Jackie hooked up the leash to his collar and shoved one of Jade's shirts into his snout. Finn wanted to roll his eyes. He already had her scent memorized. He didn't need an aide! He snorted and pulled away.
Jackie almost had his arm pulled out of the socket. Zephyr was leading the way with Jackie holding onto his leash and barely keeping pace. Uncle, crossly commanded them to slow it down. Tohru could move a lot faster then it looked what with all his bulk. They were out of Section 13 and headed towards Jade's school. Zephyr never missed a beat. Jackie took note of the direction he was going and he knew the dog truly had Jade's scent.
They made it to her school fast enough. The dog snuffed and snorted, walking in circles out in front of the school. Uncle grumbled and reminded Jackie if he had waited, he could have made a chi locator spell that was more reliable and a lot less ugly. But Jackie had said too much time had passed already and they couldn't wait any longer. So they followed Zephyr who had his nose constantly to the ground, using his sorry tracking skills to their utmost.
Finn panicked if he lost the scent. Would go around in wide circles near the location until he caught it again. The trail led to the back of the school, towards the pitiful sprawl of a small greenbelt. The scents wafting in from that location were powerful and heady, but nothing could mask the scent he knew best. Her scent went in that direction. Strange. He stopped and went in circles again, trying to decipher something his eyes couldn't see. Two scents? One was Jade's, one was--- how could that also be familiar? He was confused and inhaled with all his might and held his breath, letting the scent linger untainted in his nostrils. It was foul. Finn snorted and tossed his head. The foul stench stayed. That stench mingled with Jade's trail too close for comfort for Finn.
Nose back to the ground, he followed. He hesitated when he came across a rock. He rolled it over with his huge paws, his nose all over it. There was also a dark stain upon its surface. Finn did not like the way the rock smelled. It reminded him of the way his shoulder had smelled when it had been ripped open by William. God! Finn paused and trembled. He knew where that second scent came from! William! That monster had Jade! Oh God! Finn wanted to swear out loud but could only bark.
"What is it, Zephyr? What have you found?" Jackie asked the dog.
"Idiot horse tracked us all the way over here for a ro-o-o-o-ock?" Uncle whined unhappily.
Finn smelled the rock. God! Please no, the dark stain, the metallic scent, that could be only one thing he smelled, blood, and it was Jade's! Finn whined and pawed the rock in agitation.
"Zephyr found a clue, Uncle." Jackie stooped and picked up the rock, inspecting it. He too saw the dark stain and frowned, hoping he didn't suspect what that stain was. "Uncle. Look."
Uncle adjusted his glasses unamused. "It is a rock!"
"But look what's on the rock." Jackie instructed feeling irritated with Uncle's stubbornness.
Uncle harrumphed and leaned in to get a closer look. Then gasped, "Ai-I-I-I-I-y-a-a-ah!"
"What is it, Sensei?" Tohru asked respectfully from behind his teacher.
"Jade's blood." Uncle nearly whispered.
Finn pulled against the leash, trying to go towards the greenbelt.
"Follow the horse!" Uncle ordered Jackie.
"Yes, Uncle." Jackie sighed and did what he planned on doing anyway.
They all followed the huge Wolfhound with trepidation. Through the small sliver of woods the trail led. Finn smelt other scents left by those small creatures that tended to hang out in such places and call it home. But he would not be distracted and continued on. He was trailed by the Chan clan. Finn could smell what must have been fear coming out in thick waves from those behind him. He couldn't blame them. He was terrified of what he might find, but he thought he had a clearer idea then they as to what he was leading them to. He knew William and it invoked a flurry of emotions for Jade, some of them he didn't want to understand because those feelings were more frightening then William himself.
The small patch of woods broke out into a street that looked like it had seen better days. There was a row of abandoned buildings behind scheduled for demolition. But he could smell William and Jade, their scent trail led to the building, a building very much like the home Finn knew the beast was used to. The closer he drew near the building, the stronger the two main scents became. Underlying those were other scents that he was pretty sure was coming from William and Jade as well. He just hadn't the understanding of what those scents meant.
He led them into one of the buildings. He could smell Jade all around. Finn hunted and he had a feeling they were getting closer and he knew he didn't want to see what was at the end of that trail of blood- scent.
Valmont, Chow, and Ratso were hunkered beside a newspaper, trying to find any good leads for the next attempted robbery. Ratso happened to look up and spy Chan and his friends making great haste to get somewhere. It looked like they had a huge monster on a leash that was dragging Chan along like he was nothing.
"Hey, Big V. Check out the Chan's." Ratso pointed.
"Well, well." Valmont glowered at his enemies unbeknownst to Chan. "Looks like a party. Shall we follow and crash it?"
"By all means." Chow was curious as well.
"They're going into that building." Ratso took note.
Valmont had them stop. "Then we wait and see."
Jade was bound by old wire and cable that William had pulled out from the walls and she dangled from the rafters; her shoes a few feet from the ground. Her arms were bound by more cable. She had been there for a handful of hours. Somehow, that creature had gotten the jump on her. He'd startled her in the schoolyard after the last bell. She'd been knocked out and when she woke up again, there was a sharp pain on the back of her head. Jade had struggled against her bonds, but knew that William tied a good knot from experience.
Suddenly, he was there, inches away from her nose. She hadn't heard his approach. She jerked at the sudden appearance. A spark of fear entered her. Jade had an idea of what William was capable of. He'd tormented Finn, now was she to be next?
"You, I know you. You were the one who stole my perfect Red Hair. You and the bird are the very same." He made a show of smelling her. "You smell the same." He pulled his lips back in a terrifying grin that looked like it would split his face in two. "You stole my Red Hair. Now, you shall take his place. Though you are not as perfect as he. But your screams will be just as pleasing, though your smell is not."
"Get away from me!" She shouted at him.
But he only grinned broader and she saw those deadly rows of teeth. Those same teeth that had taken a bite out of Finn and now it looked like she was to be next.
"Leave me alone, you freak! You're nothing but a wanna be boogie man!" She screamed uselessly at him. "I've seen Garbage Pail Kids dolls scarier then you!"
William hissed. "Wicked tongue. Perhaps we should cut it out so it can only utter the sounds of screams!"
He had her face in his iron grip. Jade struggled but it was no use. He was hopelessly stronger then she was and she was alone. Was this how it felt for Finn when he was in that place with William? She couldn't imagine feeling this way for however long he'd been there. From what she'd gathered, it had been a very long time.
"And now you will scream!" William told her simply and to help the first scream along, he took his very long finger nail and poised it right above her collar bone. "Scre-e-e-eam for me-e-e-e!" He stabbed her through with his nail and her scream was high and piercing from the pain.
William preened in that sound. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying the scent of her fear and of fresh blood. He kept his nail plunged deep inside her and threw his head back, grinning with fulfilled pleasure.
"Beautiful screams, even from one such as you!" He breathed.
"Stop it now!"
Jade jerked around at the sound of her Uncle Jackie's voice. "Jackie- e-e-e-e! Help me!" She pleaded.
"Jade!"
Jackie dropped the leash and Finn lunged, Jackie and Tohru followed at a dead run. Finn hurled himself at William, but William knocked him aside. Jackie spun around and into a flying kick that knocked William to the ground. Tohru yelled and gave William a ground shaking body slam.
"Alright Jackie and Tohru!" Jade cheered. "Zephyr!" She cried.
Finn came up to her, snorting against the heavy scent of her blood. Now it was his turn to free her. Finn took hold of the wire cable with his teeth and pulled. He pulled with all his strength, but all he did was pull Jade along, his teeth could not cut the cable.
Uncle materialized beside them. He grabbed the rope not far from where Finn gripped the rope with his teeth. Finn rolled his eye Uncle's way.
"Uncle!" Jade called out happily.
"Maybe horse has some sense after all." Uncle conceded then produced a pocket knife from his pants pocket. "He was the one who brought us here."
Finn didn't growl at Uncle's closeness. It was about as mutual a compliment as either of them could give each other. Finn positioned himself under Jade. Uncle cut the last tie loose and Jade slipped free, sliding onto Finn's back.
"Get her out of here." Uncle told him.
Finn obeyed. Jade leaned forward and grabbed hold of his fur and he ran.
"Jackie! Jade is safe!" Uncle called out.
The monster looked like it was knocked out from Tohru's body slam. Tohru stood and shrugged. "What do we do with it now?"
Jackie faced Tohru, not certain. Whatever this beast was, it was dangerous. He couldn't let such a creature roam freely around San Francisco. "I'll call Captain Black and get a containment team over here."
Tohru nodded, satisfied. But then asked, "Will Jade be alright?"
Jackie's brows creased with concern for his niece. "You know Jade."
Tohru chuckled and nodded. Then fell forward from a blow to the head. Jackie backed up. The monster had been playing dead, it seemed. Tohru was knocked out cold and Jackie knew the man wasn't playing.
Jackie gave a startled yelp as the monster ran at him, then dodged him at the last minute, running past him full tilt. Where was it going, Jackie wondered. Then his blood ran cold. The monster acted as if it had unfinished business--- with Jade.
Finn had her out of the building and stopped running when he reached the street, waiting for the rest of the Chan's to come out. He panted from the exertion but felt very pleased with himself. He'd found Jade! Found her before any major harm had come upon her!
"Finn!" Jade rubbed her head against his neck. She was in pain but she felt safe. "You came for me. I thought I was alone there." She kissed his neck. "Thank you." A little of her blood dropped onto his hair.
Finn felt good and yet flustered at the same time. Why'd she have to do things like that to him? Why did she have to confuse him like that? Just when he thought he had a handle on how he felt about her, she went and upped the stakes. She leaned fully across his back, wrapping her arms around him. She buried her face into his neck. Finn heaved a shaky sigh.
The two were surprised when they were knocked to the ground. Finn felt someone step squarely on his stomach and then step away. The scent told him it was William. William? If William was here, then where was Chan? Finn suddenly felt frantic. NO! That bastard was still after her! He forced himself up and staggered as he tried to find his footing.
He stumbled and turned, seeing William pick Jade up by the neck. Hate pushed him forward. William would harm no one else after that day! He threw himself at William. Jackie and Uncle ran from the building in time to see. Tohru followed soon after, rubbing the back of his head.
Finn clamped his jaws around William's neck. He wasn't about to let go. His snarls were muffled by the effort to keep hold of the now yowling William. Jade was being jerked around like a rag doll. William had a choice, drop the hostage and defend himself, or keep a hold of Jade and let his throat be ripped out by an enraged Finn. William seemed to realize those were the only two options. In anger, he threw Jade several feet from him like she was a cord of wood. She hit the ground hard, sprawling. Finn didn't let William go. He wanted William to suffer. To writhe and shriek in pain like the monster had made him writhe and shriek. And more importantly, to make the beast pay for what he'd done to Jade. Finn had come to terms with the fact that he loved Jade. It had been a rough ride and sometimes Finn had wondered if he was being punished. But now he knew better. He loved her and it would kill him if anything had happened to her.
Jade had been tossed away from the two groups that surrounded them. Her head hurt and she had new scrapes from skidding across the ground from the toss. She rubbed her chin. It had hit the ground, making her teeth clatter painfully. It was bleeding from a new cut. Her wrists and palms ached as well as her stomach, which had gotten road burn from the fall and from her sweatshirt being pushed up because of the skid. She felt shaky and managed to lift her upper body up. She wanted to see what was going on. She'd been jerked around so much by William, she hadn't a chance to see anything. But she thought she had heard Finn's snarling while William jerked her around by her neck.
Now she could see everything and she was speechless. Finn, the very same Finn who always tended to run when he had the option to save his hide had a death grip on the very dangerous and vicious William. William had no compunction against killing, Jade sensed, while Jackie didn't even like to draw blood. Finn would run from Jackie when it became clear he wasn't going to win, and now, even though it was clear that Finn could never win such a battle with William, he was giving it his all.
She wanted to stop it, to go and help Finn somehow who was wriggling and twisting as his jaws remained clamped on Williams neck. William was clawing and cursing at Finn's huge body, trying to knock Finn silly and gut him in the process. She wanted to help, but there wasn't anything she could do, just watch in horror and wait for it to end, and she feared she wasn't going to like the ending. William would win. She knew it and it made her want to cry.
Valmont and Chow and Ratso watched the scene with interest. Valmont knew the Chan's had been up to something and was pleased he'd followed his hunch. Now was the perfect time to rid himself of that parasite William.
"Chow," Valmont said with his usual authority, "Get out your gun."
"Um, okay, Valmont." Chow did as he was instructed.
"Kill William."
Chow balked. "Um-m-m-m. But the dog---"
Chow was unable to get a clean shot because of the big dog was completely blocking William. Finn in his dog form while standing, was as tall as a man, but taller then William.
"SO?" Valmont demanded crossly.
Chow hesitated. "But I'll kill the dog."
Valmont gave him a withering look and Chow wilted. Chow was going to hate himself in the morning. He aimed his gun, trying to get a good shot, but the dog just wasn't going to make that possible. He held his breath, aimed for a place where he thought the bullet would go straight through unhindered and hit it's main target. It was a good thing Jade had her attention centered on the fight in front of her or else she would have done something stupid like get in the way of the shot. Chow squeezed the trigger.
Jade was watching Finn struggle with William. The creature had raked long bloody claw marks all down Finn's side and yet Finn still didn't let go. She knew Finn was in pain. She wanted so badly to go to him. She finally knew it for what it was. She loved Finn. Then she heard a sound. A loud, ear-splitting thunderous noise made her jump. That sounded like a gun--- at close range too. And just a split second after she heard the shot, she saw Finn convulse and heard his yelp of pain.
William roared. Finn heard the sound and knew the white hot pain for what it was. He'd been shot. And it hurt like Hell! William ripped Finn from him, flesh and other tissue tore from the neck from the forceful extraction. The beasts blood poured down Finn's throat, choking him. It was disgusting and he tried to spit it out, but Finn was too busy with being tossed across the road in much the same way Jade had been, but in the opposite direction. Finn landed on his back and rolled a few times before he came to a halt. He was bleeding in so many places, he couldn't pin point where it hurt the most. He didn't even feel like he could get up again. He just lay there on his side, bleeding and wondering if this was really it, if he was going to really die right there. He didn't even have the energy to turn over to see if Jade was safe and that distressed him. He could hear the commotion, the multiple gun shots from behind him and knew someone, probably the Dark Hand was taking William out. Where had they come from? He sighed. He was just someone who had gotten in the way. That was all he ever was, he supposed. Perhaps it was best for him to die now. At least he'd die a hero instead of as the coward he knew he really was.
"FINN!" Tears were thick in Jade's eyes. She saw Finn get shot. She didn't want to believe it!
That outburst gave everyone pause. Jackie, body singing with adrenaline just waiting to be released wondered why Jade cried out the Enforcers name. Finn wasn't even there, come to think of it. Valmont was there as well as Chow and Ratso--- he hadn't even stopped to wonder why Finn wasn't there as well like usual. Jade's eyes were for the downed Zephyr. The dog had been shot. It was a shame. It was probably dead. It confused Jackie to no end.
Jackie wanted to go to his niece, but he wasn't sure if William was really down for the count. It looked like he was, but none of the Chan's and none of the Dark Hand were willing to approach and make sure the creature was dead. Jackie couldn't go to Jade because she was on the opposite side. If he went to her, he'd be directly in Chow's line of fire.
Jade stood and bolted. The movement made Chow, who was already feeling jumpy, draw a bead on her. His finger was still poised on the trigger and he was freaked out. He exhaled heavily and pointed his weapon up, letting her go to her dog. Weird how she named that mongrel after Finn, he thought.
"Jade!" Jackie anxiously watched as she paid no heed to the gun wielding Dark Hand or to the monster that might not be dead. She breezed past them both and made it safely to Zephyr's bloody side. Jackie's heart remembered to beat again after that moment. Why'd she have to do things like that?
Jade knelt by Finn's head. The tears left long, wet tendrils down her cheeks.
Finn wasn't even aware of Jade's presence. He was concentrating on staying alive and it took a lot of effort. He heard sobbing somewhere from behind him but didn't have the energy to roll over and see. He lay there, tongue lolling on the street, his muzzle, teeth, and tongue coated in William's blood. He stared down the empty street, wondering at the sudden silence. The only noise he could detect was a continuous sobbing. He wondered if William was dead then, because he heard nothing from the monster. Finn felt two hands upon his head. They were shaking as his head was gently lifted and pulled into a lap. The scent he came to know better then his own hit him hard and he knew who it as that was holding him, knew who was crying over him. Jade.
Relief like he'd never felt warmed him. She was alive. He hadn't been sure after she'd been tossed to the side like that. He hadn't had a chance to inspect her wounds, to see if she was truly all right.
"Finn!" She sobbed his name, her body bent double as she held him to her. "I'm so sorry! Don't leave me!"
Finn whined which brought another shuddering sob from Jade. Her hands caressed his head. When they neared his muzzle, Finn licked her fingers. Finn sighed, at least he wasn't going to die alone and forgotten. He had a feeling Jade would never forget him. It made him feel better.
"Don't give up on me, Finn!" Jade whispered urgently into his ear. "Look. See this?" She whipped the monkey talisman out of her pocket and showed it to him. After the time she thought Finn had escaped to retrieve the talisman to change himself back, she'd go in there every day and hold it captive, much the same way she'd held Finn. She'd return it at night before anyone was the wiser. "I give you you're humanity back, Finn. As long as you promise you wont die!"
Finn whined again. His muzzle pressing against her stomach. The power of the talisman struck him. He was filled with magic once more. The change was instantaneous. The next thing Finn knew, he was back in his human form before a shocked bunch of onlookers. But Jade still clung on to Finn's head. She ran her fingers through his red hair, much the same way she'd stroked through Zephyr's.
"Don't die on me, Finn!" She sobbed and wished she had the foresight to have brought the horse as well.
It took most of his energy to reach up and grasp her hand in his. She could feel how little strength he had and was fearful. He placed her hand just behind his ear, in that place he'd loved her to scratch him as a dog. His hand flopped down, it's strength utterly spent.
"Don't cry for me, Argentina." He tried to make light of it in his usual way. The joke fell flat though.
Jade tried to smile at that, but all that got out of her was a hopeless moan. She continued to stroke his head, unaware of Jackie and the others approach.
"Jade?" Jackie was trying to make sense of it all. Had Finn been Zephyr all along? But--- why? How? Duh with the how, Jackie reminded himself as he saw the talisman in Jade's hand. He was going to have to have yet another stern talk with her about those. But he took one long look at the badly injured and bleeding Finn whom she was crying over and pulled out his cell phone, calling for an ambulance.
Chow stared, his gunhand limp at his side. He'd never felt so wretched before now as he looked at the body of what was probably his best friend. He'd shot his friend. Probably killed him! Chow let the gun drop and he began to tremble.
"I think this is our cue to go, boys." Valmont took one long look at Finn and also noted that no one was paying them any attention, which was a good thing.
Chow couldn't move, could hardly think of anything else. He almost went to Finn, but Ratso stopped him with a strong hand on his shoulder. Chow felt sick inside. He wanted to hurl right there. Ratso seemed to understand Chow's needs and helped the smaller Chinese man away as quickly as he could. The last thing they wanted to do was be around when the authorities showed up.
Jade never stopped petting Finn. She never stopped crying either. She looked up, vision fully blurred from her tears when she felt someone put a hand on her shoulder.
"Jade, an ambulance is on it's way." She heard Jackie say.
She stifled a sob and rubbed her eyes with one hand, the other gripped at Finn's red hair. "Is he going to die?"
Jackie knelt down beside his niece and the criminal she was hugging. Finn was laying there, his white jacket and pants were shredded and bloody. He could see where the monster had tried to gut Finn and almost succeeded. Finn lay there in a pool of his own blood. The Irishman's head lay in the lap of his niece. He could see the blood of the creature coating Finn's lips and smeared all over his face. Jackie realized Finn had risked his life to save that of Jade's. The least he could do was get the man needed medical attention and keep Captain Black from arresting him. He had a feeling Jade would never forgive him or Captain Black if that happened.
"I don't know, Jade." Jackie felt uncomfortable watching Jade coddle Finn that way. It was very intimate. But he'd feel like a cad if he made her stop.
Finn had been Zephyr the whole time. That thought kept running through Jackie's head as they waited for help to arrive. Finn, a dangerous member of the criminal organization of the Dark Hand. Who knew how many times this very man had tried to hurt and maim him, Uncle, Tohru, and especially Jade? He trusted Zephyr, but he didn't know if he could ever come to make himself trust Finn even though it turned out they were one in the same. Jackie shook his head. Finn had slept in his niece's room. Had Jade just forgotten that the dog was really Finn and just saw him as a dog and nothing more? But he looked at the way she hugged Finn, the way she wept and knew that she had remembered the whole time it was Finn. But why? Jackie wanted to know. Why had Finn been turned into a dog and kept that way?
Finn had no strength left. He had no idea he had lost so much blood. He wished he knew whether or not William was still alive. But he cracked an eye open and found not only Jade close by, but Jackie as well and knew Jackie would not fuss over him or Jade if William still posed any kind of threat. He closed his eyes again feeling oddly comforted in her arms. He was tired. Bone tired. Was it the sleep of death he was falling into, he wondered. It was peaceful, not scary at all like he thought dying would be. He didn't get much past that thought before the darkness took him.
To Be Continued---