You Made Me Beautiful: The Sequel
Part Seven
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?
(Author's Note: Well, looks like we're nearing the end of our little sordid tale. I had an incredible time writing this--- pretty much preoccupied my life for a few weeks there! Oh, and for those whom are curios as to how I got the name Zephyr, I had a dream--- it was either right before or just when I first started writing this fic that I dreamed I had a German Shepherd and his name was Zephyr. Wanted to honor him in my fic. So, now you know. And yeah, yeah, more OOCness! Anyway, let the saga continue!)
The first thing that made Finn realize he wasn't dead was the pain. It wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, but it was there, constant and, well, painful. He opened his eyes. Where was he? Oh, looked like a hospital. A prison hospital? He wouldn't be surprised. He blinked. Cool--- he could see in color again! He lifted his hand in front of his face and wriggled all five of his fingers. Gotta love the human hand! Finn took a look at his own attire. Typical hospital clothes. He sighed, how the Hell was he going to pay for this? Not like the Dark Hand had an insurance option plan or anything. He prayed it WAS the prison hospital because then he'd have nothing to worry about.
He lifted the covers of the bed and raised his robe. Ah, those were right where he left them last. Nice to see they were in place and unharmed. He hadn't even thought to worry about it until that moment. Weird. It was like he was slowly swimming back to the land of humanity. His brain could only handle one complex human problem at a time at the moment.
A nurse came in. Finn's outlook perked up. She was cute!
"Oh! You're awake!"
"Yeah. Where am I?" He'd ask her out on the third question.
She smiled. "At the hospital, silly. You must be hungry. I'll have a tray ready for you." And she turned on her heels and left before Finn could ask for her name.
Crap. Finn sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Ugh. It was filthy. He probably looked like Hell. He sure felt like Hell. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain. When he did that, a familiar face popped into his head. It was Jade's. God! His eyes flew open. Was she all right? He should have asked the nurse if she'd known anything about the Chan's welfare. He'd just been too distracted by the sight of a pretty face to think much beyond his groin. Crap.
A man brought a tray of food in. Crap again. Where was the female nurse? Finn took a good look at the man. He didn't seem to be like any orderly one normally found in a prison hospital. Come to think of it--- neither did the woman.
"This isn't a prison hospital, is it?" Finn wanted to know.
The guy who was setting his tray of food up on the little L-shaped rolling table that slid over the bed, looked surprised. "No, this is County Hospital." He gave Finn a long look that wasn't friendly. "Why, is that where you SHOULD be?"
Finn waved him off nervously, "No, no. I'm just confused is all. I've been out of it for, um--- well, not really sure how long." That distressed him, the not knowing.
"You've been out of surgery for a full day." The orderly told him.
Finn groaned. Great., maybe there was someway he could sneak out without having to pay the bill.
"You in pain? Need some medication?"
"Um, yeah." Well, it was true.
"I'll see what the doc says about that. Now you eat this up. Go slow. Your stomach was messed up pretty bad. What, did you walk through a blender of something?"
"Or something." Finn mumbled as he looked at the plain soup placed before him. Smelled like chicken broth. Plain, boring, and yet wonderful chicken broth. It wasn't dry dog food that was for sure. Dog food--- he morosely thought of Jade again as he sipped his soup. "Hey, do you know if a young girl by the name of Chan was admitted here?"
"I have no idea. I'm just the orderly." The man said.
The orderly left Finn to eat his bland meal. His thoughts were dark and unpleasant. He tried to marvel in the novelty of being able to use a spoon and feed himself, but his thoughts would not be distracted. There was no way he could enjoy his human food with that constant worry.
He finally finished his soup and he pushed the rolling tray out of his way. He had to take a leak. He slid to the side of the bed and used the portable I.V. gadget to help him stand. Finn found he was a bit shaky on his feet, but then again, it had been a while since he'd stood upright. Stretching a bit beforehand, he then slowly shuffled over to the bathroom that was luckily not too far from the bed. To use the toilet again! That he couldn't help but get excited over. Damn it was drafty wearing that so- called robe. It only covered the front bits and only barely. The back was something else entirely. Easy enema access? Mindful that the pretty nurse or that orderly stooge could walk in his room at any moment, he closed the door to the privy.
Jade had been very anxious to see Finn again. Even after her short time under the surgeons knife to mend her shoulder and the new stitches she sported on her chin, she was about to drive Jackie batty with her worry over the Dark Hand member.
"He is still a bad guy, Jade." Jackie reminded her as she pulled him along to the room they had been told Finn was in.
"He's my friend, Jackie!" She insisted. "I have to see for myself that he's all right." She wanted to see him for other reasons too, but she was not about to voice those facts to her Uncle.
Jackie sighed loudly, "Jade. I know he saved your life and all, but I still don't feel right about not telling Captain Black about him being here."
"What, so he'd be easy pickings?" Jade asked angrily. "Finn and I have an understanding. He'll never hurt me." The look on Jackie's face was plain, "Well, he'll never hurt me anymore. I promise!"
"What was he doing as a dog anyway, Jade?"
"Later, Jackie! This is Finn's room!" She opened the door wide. "A- a-a-a—a-aw!" There was no one in it.
"You sure this is where he is?" Jackie asked.
"Look at the bed, and well, SOMEone had to have eaten that food." She pointed at the evidence, hoping that she hadn't just missed him. They couldn't have let him out already, could they? She was feeling pretty rotten and she was a lot better off then Finn had been. Her bottom lip protruded in her disappointment.
They heard the knob to the bathroom turn and saw the door open. A bedraggled Enforcer limped out, using the I.V. stand as a walking aide. Jade inhaled with excitement and a big grin split her face.
"FINN!" She ran to him and he barely had time to brace himself for impact. She hugged his legs and he almost tripped, but steadied himself once more.
If he was the old Finn, he'd have been extremely annoyed, but the new Finn welcomed the embrace. "Jade! I've been asking after you and no one could tell me anything!" He managed to stoop and she attached herself to his neck. She heard the familiar jingling there and looked. She smiled sadly, he was still wearing Zephyr's collar and tags. "You look better then all right." He was relieved.
Jade hugged him tight and Finn was glad he had the arms to finally hug her back. He'd never hugged the kid before. She was so small and looked so frail, but he knew better. He managed to shuffle back to the bed slowly while carrying her in one arm and set her down so she was standing on the mattress.
"Finn."
"Chan." Finn greeted Jackie coolly. He felt Jade grab him from behind and he felt a moment of panic from the old times but she only wrapped her arms around him, almost protectively.
"Jackie-e-e-e."
Jackie and Finn stared at each other. Finn knew the man was trying to come to some sort of decision about him. After all, he'd put the Chan's through so much grief over the years, he knew that Jackie might have a hard time with his new lot on life.
"I'm quitting the Dark Hand." Finn told him.
That surprised Jackie, but not Jade.
Finn nodded, "I'm going straight."
"Why--- because of Jade?" Jackie asked disbelieving.
Finn shrugged, "Partly, but why should I work for someone who leaves me to die? Jade didn't leave me to die." He smiled, "Twice."
Jackie didn't understand what he meant by twice. Was there another time he didn't know about? He looked over Finn's shoulder at Jade who had her chin resting on the villain's shoulder and had her arms wrapped about him. There was something that Jade wasn't telling him, he knew. Something had happened between those two when he wasn't around. It made him uncomfortable and he didn't know if he could ever get Jade to tell him what had happened. He watched as Finn patted Jade's clasped hands with one of his own. For the first time since he'd known Finn, he saw true compassion behind those green eyes. He looked down just a bit and saw Zephyr's tags, then looked back into those green eyes.
"Well, I do believe in second chances." Jackie finally conceded and held his hand out to Finn.
Finn hesitated. Jade gave him a quick squeeze. He took Jackie's hand and they shook.
"Well, now I know why you didn't ever want me to pet you." Jackie tried to lighten the mood.
"And no more newspaper!" Jade exclaimed happily from behind.
Finn smirked, "Never much cared for the Times anyway."
That brought a smile out of Jackie.
"Jackie?" Jade asked uncertainly, "Can I have some time alone with Finn?"
"I don't know, Jade."
She grabbed the collar around his neck and made the tags jangle. Damn, Finn thought. He was still wearing that? He'd gotten so used to it, he'd forgotten it was on. "You left me alone with Zephyr! I even slept next to him!"
Finn covered his eyes with a hand. God, that sounded SO bad!
"Please, Jackie?"
Jackie didn't want to. Zephyr was a far cry from Finn. But still---
"Please, Chan." That from Finn.
Jackie gave in. "Okay. Just remember, I'm right outside the door." He told Jade and gave Finn a look of warning.
The door closed and Jade sighed and whispered to herself. "Alone at last."
"Hey, kid. I really need to lie back down. William did a real number on me." As Jade moved to the foot of the bed, Finn crawled back in and the fear came back as he just realized he'd totally forgotten about that creature! "Damn! Jade--- William?"
Jade reached out and stroked Finn's shoulder like she had done to Zephyr so many times. Nuts, she thought, she was going to have to remember not to do that in public. "Chow shot him to death. Right after--- right after he shot you."
Finn didn't know that was how it happened. He had been preoccupied with William. He'd not even laid eyes on the Dark Hand during the whole thing. Chow shot him? To get to William. And knowing Chow, it was probably by Valmont's orders--- or Shendude's. Chow wouldn't have known the dog was really him. He couldn't blame Chow. Not for that, at least. There were other things he could blame the smaller Enforcer of, like deserting him, leaving him at the mercy of William, but he couldn't blame Chow for shooting him.
Jade looked at Finn worriedly. She saw him struggle to digest this information that was probably all new to him.
"Why am I not under arrest?" Finn wanted to know as he maneuvered his tired and aching body under the blankets. Jade was still sitting on the bed. When he got himself into a comfortable position, he suddenly found Jade crawling up to nestle in the crook of his arm. She half lay on him and he hugged her, not used to the contact. She snuggled under his chin and he closed his eyes.
"As a favor to me and to you. For saving my life." Jade told him. "It was Uncle Jackie's idea."
Finn pondered over that one.
"Also, Jackie managed to get your bill sent to Section 13. You don't have anything to worry about." Jade told him and heard the gusty sigh of relief. So, he had been worrying about that too. Sometimes, she was glad she wasn't a grown up just yet. Too many worries. She didn't want to tell him why the bill was routed to Section 13. She knew Uncle felt guilty about the artificial insemination. They'd been contacted by the bitch's owner the other day and had been informed that the sample had worked and she had conceived. Jade had no idea how to tell Finn he was about to be the father of a batch of puppies in a couple of months. So Uncle had gotten Jackie to reroute the hospital bill. "How do you feel?"
"Like crap." Finn said truthfully.
Jade hugged him and was rewarded with a squeeze from him. It felt so good to be in his arms. To be alone with him, but she was just a kid. The only reason she wished she was a grown up at the moment was so she could kiss him and not get in trouble.
"Finn." She sighed and curled up tighter against him. Her hand stroked the opposite side of his face gently.
Finn's eyes flew open. The way she said his name, God, he'd had someone call his name like that before by only one person, an ex-girlfriend from about ten years ago. The way Jade had said it, it was nearly synonymous with the words 'I love you.' Damn!
"Jade. Please don't do that to me."
"Do what?"
"You say my name like you're in love with me."
She bit her lip, "But--- I am."
Finn groaned. "Jade, please don't. You're going to get me in trouble. Jackie'd rip my arms off if I touched you. When did this happen, Jade?"
"I don't know." She opened her eyes and saw the tags. Her fingers slipped from his face to the metal tags. "I just do."
Finn cursed the Irish luck that he'd never had. Why couldn't Jade be just a smidgen older? God, she'd be a knock out when she came of age. It wasn't fair.
"You know we can't do anything together." Finn said sadly.
The pain in her heart for that knowledge lessened by a miniscule degree when she heard the sound of, was that regret in his voice? "I know." She whispered almost to herself. "I wish I was older." If she was older, she'd be doing much more then just hugging him, she wasn't sure what it'd be she'd be doing since she had nil experience in that arena, but she'd love to be doing whatever it was with him.
They stayed silent like that for about five minutes, each tasting the bitterness of despair.
"Got something to give you." Finn said at last.
Jade lifted her head expectantly, hoping that he meant to give her the kiss she craved. Instead, she saw him reach back behind his head and unbuckle Zephyr's collar. The tags made a sad music as he removed the last remnants of his dogness. He held the hand out that clasped the folded collar.
Jade's lower lip quivered. "Don't you want to keep that? After all, Cindy gave it to you."
Finn sighed then traced his finger from his other hand down her cheek. "Not Cindy again. You really are mental about that, aren't you?"
Jade turned away from him angrily, feeling tears forming again, burning hot in her eyes. Finn gently turned her back to face him. "I'm sorry, Jade. Sorry about so many things. So many things that have happened that I can't undo. The whole Cindy thing, being such a louse, trying to hurt you and your uncle's. God, those pig and rooster talismans, I'm sorry I tried to blast you!" He hung his head. Hopeless, all of it was hopeless!
The young Chan's anger melted away. She lightly reached out and traced Finn's mouth with a finger. Finn raised his head. She withdrew her hand when she read the nervous look on those green eyes. "I'm sorry too." She took the collar from him, noting how some of the silver dog hair was still stuck in the nylon. She was really going to miss Zephyr. She then remembered that she had something that belonged to Finn. "I've kept this safe for you." She removed the medallion from her neck and held it out to him in her free hand.
Finn grinned and accepted it. Jackie walked in just as he was putting it back around his neck.
"Jade, time for us to go."
Jade didn't want to leave. She wanted to be with Finn just a little bit longer! But she knew if she pressed Jackie, he'd not like the idea and so she just sighed. "Okay. Bye, Finn. See you soon?"
"We'll see what happens." Finn said cautiously, hoping Jade wouldn't give Chan any clues as to her true feelings towards him.
Jade gave him one final hug and then slid off the bed. She and Jackie left Finn alone to contemplate how cruel life truly was. Finn wasn't alone for long, however. About five minutes later, he spied Chow and Ratso slipping into the room. They both looked like they'd been sneaking around the hospital and he guessed they were trying to make certain the Chan's had not see them.
"You're alive!" Chow said relieved.
"Hey, you're not a dog anymore." Ratso observed.
"So, now you two are back to speaking with me? Last I remembered, I was just an irritating burr in your shorts." Finn said hotly.
Chow balked, "Um, well, you know how it goes."
"No. I don't." Finn muttered angrily.
"When we noticed you weren't around---"Chow began.
"After how long was this?" Finn demanded.
Chow responded with just the right amount of frustration, "Long enough to realize you were really gone. I went to Big V. I asked after you and he said you'd gone. I demanded to know where to and why hadn't we been told. He wasn't exactly forthcoming."
"Yeah, we had no idea you were held captive by the Chan's and turned into their pet dog." Ratso said.
"That isn't what happened! I was prisoner elsewhere, held by William, that monster you shot! He tortured me, slowly! And the only one who came to save me was Jade Chan! None of you did anything to help me! That, and it was Shendude who GAVE me to William! And you two did nothing!"
Chow and Ratso had the grace to look shocked.
"But, we didn't know!" Chow said. "I TOLD you! If we'd known---"
"If you two had known, would you have tried to free me?" Finn wanted to know. He knew the answer and it wasn't a pleasant one. Their silence was all he needed. "And that's that. You can tell Valmont I quit."
Chow and Ratso exchanged distressed looks.
"No fooling, Finn?" Chow asked sadly.
Finn had meant what he'd told Chan. "Yes. I'm through. Maybe I'll see you two around San Fran. Maybe not."
When the two Enforcers departed, Finn lay back in his bed and closed his eyes, feeling depressed and wasted. His life sucked. Always had, always would. Why couldn't he ever catch a break? Then he recalled he had caught one break, and that spot of goodness was Jade. He smiled then drifted off to sleep.
Finn walked up the familiar steps to the old man's shop. He was nervous. He hadn't seen Jade at all in over two months. Finn had tried to get his life back into order during that time and it had been a full time job. Speaking of jobs, he got his old job as a wedding singer back and worked in a music store on the side to help supplement his income. He hadn't gotten back in contact with Jade, primarily because he was still rather freaked out by this school girl crush of hers. He didn't know if she could keep her feelings in check in front of Chan. But, he wanted to see her again. Just to see how she was doing.
He walked in. The place hadn't changed, but he had. He didn't see Uncle, but Chan was there behind the counter.
"Hello, Finn."
"Hello, Chan."
"Come to see Jade?"
Finn nodded.
Jackie looked uncomfortable, "Um, she's going to be back within the hour. You can wait here, if you want."
"I think I will."
Uncomfortable silence.
"So-o-o—o, what have you been doing with yourself? Jade's been upset that you haven't stopped by."
Finn shrugged, "I'm here now. I've just been--- busy. Working."
"A job? That's admirable, Finn." Jackie sounded pleased.
"I'm not working to please you, Chan." Finn said annoyed. "I'm trying to relearn how to operate within the system. Not been easy."
"No, I guess not." Jackie agreed.
"How's she been?" Finn wondered.
"Jade? Well, she misses you, or I guess it's Zephyr she misses. Though, that was STILL you, I guess." Jackie tried. "But she's her usual self otherwise. You know, it just isn't the same fighting the Dark Hand with you not around."
Finn snorted but didn't say anything. They periodically talked about mundane things. It was weird, Finn thought. He'd never had just a regular conversation with Chan. He was a descent enough guy, he supposed, when he wasn't in the way of something you wanted.
The door opened. "Jackie! You gotta come see! He's so---"Jade stopped in mid sentence, the cardboard box she was holding almost got dropped, "Finn!" She hurriedly gave the box to Uncle who was behind her. He nearly fumbled the pass, but kept the box from toppling dangerously to the floor. Jade ran to Finn.
Finn squatted and she nearly bowled him over as she glomped him.
"Hi, kid." Finn greeted her, hugging her back. "Sorry for the delay, but life happens, you know."
"You could have called." She admonished him.
"I don't have a phone."
"You could have come over and visited me." She said, pouting.
"I'm sorry, Jade." He didn't have the heart to tell her that he had almost thought about turning around and going back home when he was just at the door of the shop. He was scared. Scared of Jade's feelings, and scared of his own. He was disgusted with himself. She was a kid, for crying out loud! "So, what's in the box?"
There was dead silence to that question. Jade pulled away from him and hung her head. Finn wondered what was the matter.
"Jade," Uncle broke the silence using his most soothing voice, "Show him."
Jade nodded quietly, still afraid to look at Finn. Finn was feeling confused. What was the fuss about? What was in that damn box? He glanced at Chan who looked really uncomfortable.
Jade shuffled over to Uncle who lowered the box enough for her to reach in. "Better find a seat, Finn. You might want to sit." For more then one reason, she thought to herself nervously. She pulled out something from the box and turned, cradling a tiny, gray thing in her arms. It was wriggling and was making funny noises. She brought it to him and set it in his lap. It took a moment for him to figure out what the Hell it was. Oh, a puppy. Ah, Jade missed Zephyr enough to get another dog, he supposed. It was kind of cute. He began to pet it.
"Hey, cute puppy, Jade." He told her.
"Well, yeah. Um, Finn?" Jade threw her uncle's a 'help me' look.
"What?" Finn asked as he continued to stroke the squirming mass of gray hair.
"It's yours." Jade said simply.
"Mine? No thanks, Jade. I've had enough of dogs for a while. You keep it." Finn didn't want a dog. Not after what he'd experienced. Not that it wasn't so bad, but he couldn't see putting another creature through what he'd gone through.
"No, Finn. Um, I mean he's your--- um--- yours. You know yours, as in, well, your kid." Jade finished lamely.
Finn's hand stopped in mid stroke. "What."
Uncle came up to his side. "I took you to the vet's after I drugged you. You never did let me get close to you. Had sample taken to owner of female Wolfhound. She conceived. This is from her brood. Jade picked the best of the seven. I am sorry."
"Seven." Finn said his voice monotone and expressionless. "I have seven puppies?" On the inside, Finn was screaming in hysterics. It was just taking a while for the full emotion of it all to come to light. His hand over the puppy trembled and he stared down at it. "My--- kid?"
"A boy." Jade was there beside him, hand on his trembling arm.
Finn had always imagined one day he'd play ball in the yard with his son, but not in this way. God! He felt like he was about to break down, right there in front of the Chan's. He didn't care. This was too much for him to handle. It wasn't fair. Jade took the puppy from his lap and handed him to Uncle. Then she squirmed up onto Finn's lap and hugged him. He hugged her back. She felt his whole body quivering and knew he was crying. She hugged him tighter, petting him on the back as he cried on her shoulder.
Jackie and Uncle decided to leave them alone.
Jade's heart broke. She felt sick about it and knew Finn felt doubly worse. She clung to him and he to her, his body racked by silent sobs. They stayed like huddled together like that for a good while. Even after Finn's sobs eventually stopped, he still clung onto her. He sniffed back what was left of the tears. Weird, how no matter how bad things got for him, somehow, Jade was always there for him. He clung to her like she was his lifeline. Why couldn't she have been just ten years older? It wasn't fair!
"Do you want to see a picture?" She pulled a Polaroid from the pocket of her sweatshirt and handed it to him.
Finn was still hugging her, so the handoff was somewhat awkward, but he didn't feel like letting go just yet. Jade slid back down into his lap, but still had her arms around him. Finn looked at the picture of the bitch and seven pup's with Jade squatting beside them all. That was the dog that carried his seed? He felt ill. Maybe if he didn't try looking at the mother, but only at the puppies--- well, they were actually cute.
"That's Dawn's Morning Glory. She's a purebred Irish Wolfhound. Registered by the Kennel Club. Uncle somehow got you some false papers. Your puppies are also registered as pureblood. So I doubt anything bad could happen to them. I got Dawn's Mercury's papers right here."
Finn stared at the picture. "Dawn's Mercury?"
"Your sons name. I was just gonna call him Mercury. More of a masculine name then Dawn, don't ya think?" She said.
Finn nodded and sighed. "Good thing I didn't have to name him. I suck at coming up with names."
"You don't suck, Finn." Jade, greatly daring, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, just above his red sideburns.
Finn closed his eyes and sighed. "Jade. You're too young to think about those kinds of things."
"Finn." There was sorrow in her voice.
"Jade, it's wrong, you know it, I know it. No matter how nice it may feel, it's not going to happen. I'm not into pedophilia."
Jade bit her lip and though it hurt her to think it, she knew he was right.
"That's why they're called crushes, Jade. God, I'm sorry!" Finn hugged her closer again and wished that things were different.
"Nothing will change the fact that I love you." She whispered into his ear close by.
"I hope not, Jade. Because I love you too."
Jade's heart soared. He said the words she so hoped he would say to her!
"There's more to love then the physical, Jade." Finn told her. "You're too young to worry about the physical. Let's just work on the other kind, okay?" He so wasn't used to having to deal with kids.
"Okay."
Finn felt relieved. Then he felt something pulling on his pants leg. He glanced down and saw Mercury tugging at the white material. Finn gently picked his son up in one hand. The puppy wriggled and made those strange puppy noises.
"Hello, Mercury." Finn talked to his son, "This is Jade. She's going to take good care of you. She's going to love you. So you listen to her, okay?" Mercury yipped. "Watch your language. Where'd you learn to speak like that? Probably from your mother. Jade--- you're going to have to teach him some manners."
"Did you really understand him?" Jade wondered and reached out to pat the wriggling head.
"Ancient Chinese Secret." Finn tsked at her. He handed his son to Jade. "Take good care of him."
"I will. You'll check up on us, wont you? I mean, more often then once every couple of months!"
Finn smiled. Even though there was still some fear to the crush, it did ones ego good to know someone was absolutely nuts over him. "As you wish."
Jade felt better. The puppy played in her lap as she sat in Finn's. When Mercury was old enough, he'd wear his fathers collar. At the moment, she had it hanging on a framed picture on her desk in her room, a picture of her and Zephyr lounging together. She'd always known she couldn't keep Zephyr forever, but this was just as good. Mercury was going to do his father proud!
The End
(Another Author's Note: And so it ends! I know that there will be some protests from some of you, and believe me, that is a great compliment and makes the whole effort of cranking this monster out worth it. I had a blast! I hope ya'll did too!)
Part Seven
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?
(Author's Note: Well, looks like we're nearing the end of our little sordid tale. I had an incredible time writing this--- pretty much preoccupied my life for a few weeks there! Oh, and for those whom are curios as to how I got the name Zephyr, I had a dream--- it was either right before or just when I first started writing this fic that I dreamed I had a German Shepherd and his name was Zephyr. Wanted to honor him in my fic. So, now you know. And yeah, yeah, more OOCness! Anyway, let the saga continue!)
The first thing that made Finn realize he wasn't dead was the pain. It wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, but it was there, constant and, well, painful. He opened his eyes. Where was he? Oh, looked like a hospital. A prison hospital? He wouldn't be surprised. He blinked. Cool--- he could see in color again! He lifted his hand in front of his face and wriggled all five of his fingers. Gotta love the human hand! Finn took a look at his own attire. Typical hospital clothes. He sighed, how the Hell was he going to pay for this? Not like the Dark Hand had an insurance option plan or anything. He prayed it WAS the prison hospital because then he'd have nothing to worry about.
He lifted the covers of the bed and raised his robe. Ah, those were right where he left them last. Nice to see they were in place and unharmed. He hadn't even thought to worry about it until that moment. Weird. It was like he was slowly swimming back to the land of humanity. His brain could only handle one complex human problem at a time at the moment.
A nurse came in. Finn's outlook perked up. She was cute!
"Oh! You're awake!"
"Yeah. Where am I?" He'd ask her out on the third question.
She smiled. "At the hospital, silly. You must be hungry. I'll have a tray ready for you." And she turned on her heels and left before Finn could ask for her name.
Crap. Finn sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Ugh. It was filthy. He probably looked like Hell. He sure felt like Hell. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the pain. When he did that, a familiar face popped into his head. It was Jade's. God! His eyes flew open. Was she all right? He should have asked the nurse if she'd known anything about the Chan's welfare. He'd just been too distracted by the sight of a pretty face to think much beyond his groin. Crap.
A man brought a tray of food in. Crap again. Where was the female nurse? Finn took a good look at the man. He didn't seem to be like any orderly one normally found in a prison hospital. Come to think of it--- neither did the woman.
"This isn't a prison hospital, is it?" Finn wanted to know.
The guy who was setting his tray of food up on the little L-shaped rolling table that slid over the bed, looked surprised. "No, this is County Hospital." He gave Finn a long look that wasn't friendly. "Why, is that where you SHOULD be?"
Finn waved him off nervously, "No, no. I'm just confused is all. I've been out of it for, um--- well, not really sure how long." That distressed him, the not knowing.
"You've been out of surgery for a full day." The orderly told him.
Finn groaned. Great., maybe there was someway he could sneak out without having to pay the bill.
"You in pain? Need some medication?"
"Um, yeah." Well, it was true.
"I'll see what the doc says about that. Now you eat this up. Go slow. Your stomach was messed up pretty bad. What, did you walk through a blender of something?"
"Or something." Finn mumbled as he looked at the plain soup placed before him. Smelled like chicken broth. Plain, boring, and yet wonderful chicken broth. It wasn't dry dog food that was for sure. Dog food--- he morosely thought of Jade again as he sipped his soup. "Hey, do you know if a young girl by the name of Chan was admitted here?"
"I have no idea. I'm just the orderly." The man said.
The orderly left Finn to eat his bland meal. His thoughts were dark and unpleasant. He tried to marvel in the novelty of being able to use a spoon and feed himself, but his thoughts would not be distracted. There was no way he could enjoy his human food with that constant worry.
He finally finished his soup and he pushed the rolling tray out of his way. He had to take a leak. He slid to the side of the bed and used the portable I.V. gadget to help him stand. Finn found he was a bit shaky on his feet, but then again, it had been a while since he'd stood upright. Stretching a bit beforehand, he then slowly shuffled over to the bathroom that was luckily not too far from the bed. To use the toilet again! That he couldn't help but get excited over. Damn it was drafty wearing that so- called robe. It only covered the front bits and only barely. The back was something else entirely. Easy enema access? Mindful that the pretty nurse or that orderly stooge could walk in his room at any moment, he closed the door to the privy.
Jade had been very anxious to see Finn again. Even after her short time under the surgeons knife to mend her shoulder and the new stitches she sported on her chin, she was about to drive Jackie batty with her worry over the Dark Hand member.
"He is still a bad guy, Jade." Jackie reminded her as she pulled him along to the room they had been told Finn was in.
"He's my friend, Jackie!" She insisted. "I have to see for myself that he's all right." She wanted to see him for other reasons too, but she was not about to voice those facts to her Uncle.
Jackie sighed loudly, "Jade. I know he saved your life and all, but I still don't feel right about not telling Captain Black about him being here."
"What, so he'd be easy pickings?" Jade asked angrily. "Finn and I have an understanding. He'll never hurt me." The look on Jackie's face was plain, "Well, he'll never hurt me anymore. I promise!"
"What was he doing as a dog anyway, Jade?"
"Later, Jackie! This is Finn's room!" She opened the door wide. "A- a-a-a—a-aw!" There was no one in it.
"You sure this is where he is?" Jackie asked.
"Look at the bed, and well, SOMEone had to have eaten that food." She pointed at the evidence, hoping that she hadn't just missed him. They couldn't have let him out already, could they? She was feeling pretty rotten and she was a lot better off then Finn had been. Her bottom lip protruded in her disappointment.
They heard the knob to the bathroom turn and saw the door open. A bedraggled Enforcer limped out, using the I.V. stand as a walking aide. Jade inhaled with excitement and a big grin split her face.
"FINN!" She ran to him and he barely had time to brace himself for impact. She hugged his legs and he almost tripped, but steadied himself once more.
If he was the old Finn, he'd have been extremely annoyed, but the new Finn welcomed the embrace. "Jade! I've been asking after you and no one could tell me anything!" He managed to stoop and she attached herself to his neck. She heard the familiar jingling there and looked. She smiled sadly, he was still wearing Zephyr's collar and tags. "You look better then all right." He was relieved.
Jade hugged him tight and Finn was glad he had the arms to finally hug her back. He'd never hugged the kid before. She was so small and looked so frail, but he knew better. He managed to shuffle back to the bed slowly while carrying her in one arm and set her down so she was standing on the mattress.
"Finn."
"Chan." Finn greeted Jackie coolly. He felt Jade grab him from behind and he felt a moment of panic from the old times but she only wrapped her arms around him, almost protectively.
"Jackie-e-e-e."
Jackie and Finn stared at each other. Finn knew the man was trying to come to some sort of decision about him. After all, he'd put the Chan's through so much grief over the years, he knew that Jackie might have a hard time with his new lot on life.
"I'm quitting the Dark Hand." Finn told him.
That surprised Jackie, but not Jade.
Finn nodded, "I'm going straight."
"Why--- because of Jade?" Jackie asked disbelieving.
Finn shrugged, "Partly, but why should I work for someone who leaves me to die? Jade didn't leave me to die." He smiled, "Twice."
Jackie didn't understand what he meant by twice. Was there another time he didn't know about? He looked over Finn's shoulder at Jade who had her chin resting on the villain's shoulder and had her arms wrapped about him. There was something that Jade wasn't telling him, he knew. Something had happened between those two when he wasn't around. It made him uncomfortable and he didn't know if he could ever get Jade to tell him what had happened. He watched as Finn patted Jade's clasped hands with one of his own. For the first time since he'd known Finn, he saw true compassion behind those green eyes. He looked down just a bit and saw Zephyr's tags, then looked back into those green eyes.
"Well, I do believe in second chances." Jackie finally conceded and held his hand out to Finn.
Finn hesitated. Jade gave him a quick squeeze. He took Jackie's hand and they shook.
"Well, now I know why you didn't ever want me to pet you." Jackie tried to lighten the mood.
"And no more newspaper!" Jade exclaimed happily from behind.
Finn smirked, "Never much cared for the Times anyway."
That brought a smile out of Jackie.
"Jackie?" Jade asked uncertainly, "Can I have some time alone with Finn?"
"I don't know, Jade."
She grabbed the collar around his neck and made the tags jangle. Damn, Finn thought. He was still wearing that? He'd gotten so used to it, he'd forgotten it was on. "You left me alone with Zephyr! I even slept next to him!"
Finn covered his eyes with a hand. God, that sounded SO bad!
"Please, Jackie?"
Jackie didn't want to. Zephyr was a far cry from Finn. But still---
"Please, Chan." That from Finn.
Jackie gave in. "Okay. Just remember, I'm right outside the door." He told Jade and gave Finn a look of warning.
The door closed and Jade sighed and whispered to herself. "Alone at last."
"Hey, kid. I really need to lie back down. William did a real number on me." As Jade moved to the foot of the bed, Finn crawled back in and the fear came back as he just realized he'd totally forgotten about that creature! "Damn! Jade--- William?"
Jade reached out and stroked Finn's shoulder like she had done to Zephyr so many times. Nuts, she thought, she was going to have to remember not to do that in public. "Chow shot him to death. Right after--- right after he shot you."
Finn didn't know that was how it happened. He had been preoccupied with William. He'd not even laid eyes on the Dark Hand during the whole thing. Chow shot him? To get to William. And knowing Chow, it was probably by Valmont's orders--- or Shendude's. Chow wouldn't have known the dog was really him. He couldn't blame Chow. Not for that, at least. There were other things he could blame the smaller Enforcer of, like deserting him, leaving him at the mercy of William, but he couldn't blame Chow for shooting him.
Jade looked at Finn worriedly. She saw him struggle to digest this information that was probably all new to him.
"Why am I not under arrest?" Finn wanted to know as he maneuvered his tired and aching body under the blankets. Jade was still sitting on the bed. When he got himself into a comfortable position, he suddenly found Jade crawling up to nestle in the crook of his arm. She half lay on him and he hugged her, not used to the contact. She snuggled under his chin and he closed his eyes.
"As a favor to me and to you. For saving my life." Jade told him. "It was Uncle Jackie's idea."
Finn pondered over that one.
"Also, Jackie managed to get your bill sent to Section 13. You don't have anything to worry about." Jade told him and heard the gusty sigh of relief. So, he had been worrying about that too. Sometimes, she was glad she wasn't a grown up just yet. Too many worries. She didn't want to tell him why the bill was routed to Section 13. She knew Uncle felt guilty about the artificial insemination. They'd been contacted by the bitch's owner the other day and had been informed that the sample had worked and she had conceived. Jade had no idea how to tell Finn he was about to be the father of a batch of puppies in a couple of months. So Uncle had gotten Jackie to reroute the hospital bill. "How do you feel?"
"Like crap." Finn said truthfully.
Jade hugged him and was rewarded with a squeeze from him. It felt so good to be in his arms. To be alone with him, but she was just a kid. The only reason she wished she was a grown up at the moment was so she could kiss him and not get in trouble.
"Finn." She sighed and curled up tighter against him. Her hand stroked the opposite side of his face gently.
Finn's eyes flew open. The way she said his name, God, he'd had someone call his name like that before by only one person, an ex-girlfriend from about ten years ago. The way Jade had said it, it was nearly synonymous with the words 'I love you.' Damn!
"Jade. Please don't do that to me."
"Do what?"
"You say my name like you're in love with me."
She bit her lip, "But--- I am."
Finn groaned. "Jade, please don't. You're going to get me in trouble. Jackie'd rip my arms off if I touched you. When did this happen, Jade?"
"I don't know." She opened her eyes and saw the tags. Her fingers slipped from his face to the metal tags. "I just do."
Finn cursed the Irish luck that he'd never had. Why couldn't Jade be just a smidgen older? God, she'd be a knock out when she came of age. It wasn't fair.
"You know we can't do anything together." Finn said sadly.
The pain in her heart for that knowledge lessened by a miniscule degree when she heard the sound of, was that regret in his voice? "I know." She whispered almost to herself. "I wish I was older." If she was older, she'd be doing much more then just hugging him, she wasn't sure what it'd be she'd be doing since she had nil experience in that arena, but she'd love to be doing whatever it was with him.
They stayed silent like that for about five minutes, each tasting the bitterness of despair.
"Got something to give you." Finn said at last.
Jade lifted her head expectantly, hoping that he meant to give her the kiss she craved. Instead, she saw him reach back behind his head and unbuckle Zephyr's collar. The tags made a sad music as he removed the last remnants of his dogness. He held the hand out that clasped the folded collar.
Jade's lower lip quivered. "Don't you want to keep that? After all, Cindy gave it to you."
Finn sighed then traced his finger from his other hand down her cheek. "Not Cindy again. You really are mental about that, aren't you?"
Jade turned away from him angrily, feeling tears forming again, burning hot in her eyes. Finn gently turned her back to face him. "I'm sorry, Jade. Sorry about so many things. So many things that have happened that I can't undo. The whole Cindy thing, being such a louse, trying to hurt you and your uncle's. God, those pig and rooster talismans, I'm sorry I tried to blast you!" He hung his head. Hopeless, all of it was hopeless!
The young Chan's anger melted away. She lightly reached out and traced Finn's mouth with a finger. Finn raised his head. She withdrew her hand when she read the nervous look on those green eyes. "I'm sorry too." She took the collar from him, noting how some of the silver dog hair was still stuck in the nylon. She was really going to miss Zephyr. She then remembered that she had something that belonged to Finn. "I've kept this safe for you." She removed the medallion from her neck and held it out to him in her free hand.
Finn grinned and accepted it. Jackie walked in just as he was putting it back around his neck.
"Jade, time for us to go."
Jade didn't want to leave. She wanted to be with Finn just a little bit longer! But she knew if she pressed Jackie, he'd not like the idea and so she just sighed. "Okay. Bye, Finn. See you soon?"
"We'll see what happens." Finn said cautiously, hoping Jade wouldn't give Chan any clues as to her true feelings towards him.
Jade gave him one final hug and then slid off the bed. She and Jackie left Finn alone to contemplate how cruel life truly was. Finn wasn't alone for long, however. About five minutes later, he spied Chow and Ratso slipping into the room. They both looked like they'd been sneaking around the hospital and he guessed they were trying to make certain the Chan's had not see them.
"You're alive!" Chow said relieved.
"Hey, you're not a dog anymore." Ratso observed.
"So, now you two are back to speaking with me? Last I remembered, I was just an irritating burr in your shorts." Finn said hotly.
Chow balked, "Um, well, you know how it goes."
"No. I don't." Finn muttered angrily.
"When we noticed you weren't around---"Chow began.
"After how long was this?" Finn demanded.
Chow responded with just the right amount of frustration, "Long enough to realize you were really gone. I went to Big V. I asked after you and he said you'd gone. I demanded to know where to and why hadn't we been told. He wasn't exactly forthcoming."
"Yeah, we had no idea you were held captive by the Chan's and turned into their pet dog." Ratso said.
"That isn't what happened! I was prisoner elsewhere, held by William, that monster you shot! He tortured me, slowly! And the only one who came to save me was Jade Chan! None of you did anything to help me! That, and it was Shendude who GAVE me to William! And you two did nothing!"
Chow and Ratso had the grace to look shocked.
"But, we didn't know!" Chow said. "I TOLD you! If we'd known---"
"If you two had known, would you have tried to free me?" Finn wanted to know. He knew the answer and it wasn't a pleasant one. Their silence was all he needed. "And that's that. You can tell Valmont I quit."
Chow and Ratso exchanged distressed looks.
"No fooling, Finn?" Chow asked sadly.
Finn had meant what he'd told Chan. "Yes. I'm through. Maybe I'll see you two around San Fran. Maybe not."
When the two Enforcers departed, Finn lay back in his bed and closed his eyes, feeling depressed and wasted. His life sucked. Always had, always would. Why couldn't he ever catch a break? Then he recalled he had caught one break, and that spot of goodness was Jade. He smiled then drifted off to sleep.
Finn walked up the familiar steps to the old man's shop. He was nervous. He hadn't seen Jade at all in over two months. Finn had tried to get his life back into order during that time and it had been a full time job. Speaking of jobs, he got his old job as a wedding singer back and worked in a music store on the side to help supplement his income. He hadn't gotten back in contact with Jade, primarily because he was still rather freaked out by this school girl crush of hers. He didn't know if she could keep her feelings in check in front of Chan. But, he wanted to see her again. Just to see how she was doing.
He walked in. The place hadn't changed, but he had. He didn't see Uncle, but Chan was there behind the counter.
"Hello, Finn."
"Hello, Chan."
"Come to see Jade?"
Finn nodded.
Jackie looked uncomfortable, "Um, she's going to be back within the hour. You can wait here, if you want."
"I think I will."
Uncomfortable silence.
"So-o-o—o, what have you been doing with yourself? Jade's been upset that you haven't stopped by."
Finn shrugged, "I'm here now. I've just been--- busy. Working."
"A job? That's admirable, Finn." Jackie sounded pleased.
"I'm not working to please you, Chan." Finn said annoyed. "I'm trying to relearn how to operate within the system. Not been easy."
"No, I guess not." Jackie agreed.
"How's she been?" Finn wondered.
"Jade? Well, she misses you, or I guess it's Zephyr she misses. Though, that was STILL you, I guess." Jackie tried. "But she's her usual self otherwise. You know, it just isn't the same fighting the Dark Hand with you not around."
Finn snorted but didn't say anything. They periodically talked about mundane things. It was weird, Finn thought. He'd never had just a regular conversation with Chan. He was a descent enough guy, he supposed, when he wasn't in the way of something you wanted.
The door opened. "Jackie! You gotta come see! He's so---"Jade stopped in mid sentence, the cardboard box she was holding almost got dropped, "Finn!" She hurriedly gave the box to Uncle who was behind her. He nearly fumbled the pass, but kept the box from toppling dangerously to the floor. Jade ran to Finn.
Finn squatted and she nearly bowled him over as she glomped him.
"Hi, kid." Finn greeted her, hugging her back. "Sorry for the delay, but life happens, you know."
"You could have called." She admonished him.
"I don't have a phone."
"You could have come over and visited me." She said, pouting.
"I'm sorry, Jade." He didn't have the heart to tell her that he had almost thought about turning around and going back home when he was just at the door of the shop. He was scared. Scared of Jade's feelings, and scared of his own. He was disgusted with himself. She was a kid, for crying out loud! "So, what's in the box?"
There was dead silence to that question. Jade pulled away from him and hung her head. Finn wondered what was the matter.
"Jade," Uncle broke the silence using his most soothing voice, "Show him."
Jade nodded quietly, still afraid to look at Finn. Finn was feeling confused. What was the fuss about? What was in that damn box? He glanced at Chan who looked really uncomfortable.
Jade shuffled over to Uncle who lowered the box enough for her to reach in. "Better find a seat, Finn. You might want to sit." For more then one reason, she thought to herself nervously. She pulled out something from the box and turned, cradling a tiny, gray thing in her arms. It was wriggling and was making funny noises. She brought it to him and set it in his lap. It took a moment for him to figure out what the Hell it was. Oh, a puppy. Ah, Jade missed Zephyr enough to get another dog, he supposed. It was kind of cute. He began to pet it.
"Hey, cute puppy, Jade." He told her.
"Well, yeah. Um, Finn?" Jade threw her uncle's a 'help me' look.
"What?" Finn asked as he continued to stroke the squirming mass of gray hair.
"It's yours." Jade said simply.
"Mine? No thanks, Jade. I've had enough of dogs for a while. You keep it." Finn didn't want a dog. Not after what he'd experienced. Not that it wasn't so bad, but he couldn't see putting another creature through what he'd gone through.
"No, Finn. Um, I mean he's your--- um--- yours. You know yours, as in, well, your kid." Jade finished lamely.
Finn's hand stopped in mid stroke. "What."
Uncle came up to his side. "I took you to the vet's after I drugged you. You never did let me get close to you. Had sample taken to owner of female Wolfhound. She conceived. This is from her brood. Jade picked the best of the seven. I am sorry."
"Seven." Finn said his voice monotone and expressionless. "I have seven puppies?" On the inside, Finn was screaming in hysterics. It was just taking a while for the full emotion of it all to come to light. His hand over the puppy trembled and he stared down at it. "My--- kid?"
"A boy." Jade was there beside him, hand on his trembling arm.
Finn had always imagined one day he'd play ball in the yard with his son, but not in this way. God! He felt like he was about to break down, right there in front of the Chan's. He didn't care. This was too much for him to handle. It wasn't fair. Jade took the puppy from his lap and handed him to Uncle. Then she squirmed up onto Finn's lap and hugged him. He hugged her back. She felt his whole body quivering and knew he was crying. She hugged him tighter, petting him on the back as he cried on her shoulder.
Jackie and Uncle decided to leave them alone.
Jade's heart broke. She felt sick about it and knew Finn felt doubly worse. She clung to him and he to her, his body racked by silent sobs. They stayed like huddled together like that for a good while. Even after Finn's sobs eventually stopped, he still clung onto her. He sniffed back what was left of the tears. Weird, how no matter how bad things got for him, somehow, Jade was always there for him. He clung to her like she was his lifeline. Why couldn't she have been just ten years older? It wasn't fair!
"Do you want to see a picture?" She pulled a Polaroid from the pocket of her sweatshirt and handed it to him.
Finn was still hugging her, so the handoff was somewhat awkward, but he didn't feel like letting go just yet. Jade slid back down into his lap, but still had her arms around him. Finn looked at the picture of the bitch and seven pup's with Jade squatting beside them all. That was the dog that carried his seed? He felt ill. Maybe if he didn't try looking at the mother, but only at the puppies--- well, they were actually cute.
"That's Dawn's Morning Glory. She's a purebred Irish Wolfhound. Registered by the Kennel Club. Uncle somehow got you some false papers. Your puppies are also registered as pureblood. So I doubt anything bad could happen to them. I got Dawn's Mercury's papers right here."
Finn stared at the picture. "Dawn's Mercury?"
"Your sons name. I was just gonna call him Mercury. More of a masculine name then Dawn, don't ya think?" She said.
Finn nodded and sighed. "Good thing I didn't have to name him. I suck at coming up with names."
"You don't suck, Finn." Jade, greatly daring, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, just above his red sideburns.
Finn closed his eyes and sighed. "Jade. You're too young to think about those kinds of things."
"Finn." There was sorrow in her voice.
"Jade, it's wrong, you know it, I know it. No matter how nice it may feel, it's not going to happen. I'm not into pedophilia."
Jade bit her lip and though it hurt her to think it, she knew he was right.
"That's why they're called crushes, Jade. God, I'm sorry!" Finn hugged her closer again and wished that things were different.
"Nothing will change the fact that I love you." She whispered into his ear close by.
"I hope not, Jade. Because I love you too."
Jade's heart soared. He said the words she so hoped he would say to her!
"There's more to love then the physical, Jade." Finn told her. "You're too young to worry about the physical. Let's just work on the other kind, okay?" He so wasn't used to having to deal with kids.
"Okay."
Finn felt relieved. Then he felt something pulling on his pants leg. He glanced down and saw Mercury tugging at the white material. Finn gently picked his son up in one hand. The puppy wriggled and made those strange puppy noises.
"Hello, Mercury." Finn talked to his son, "This is Jade. She's going to take good care of you. She's going to love you. So you listen to her, okay?" Mercury yipped. "Watch your language. Where'd you learn to speak like that? Probably from your mother. Jade--- you're going to have to teach him some manners."
"Did you really understand him?" Jade wondered and reached out to pat the wriggling head.
"Ancient Chinese Secret." Finn tsked at her. He handed his son to Jade. "Take good care of him."
"I will. You'll check up on us, wont you? I mean, more often then once every couple of months!"
Finn smiled. Even though there was still some fear to the crush, it did ones ego good to know someone was absolutely nuts over him. "As you wish."
Jade felt better. The puppy played in her lap as she sat in Finn's. When Mercury was old enough, he'd wear his fathers collar. At the moment, she had it hanging on a framed picture on her desk in her room, a picture of her and Zephyr lounging together. She'd always known she couldn't keep Zephyr forever, but this was just as good. Mercury was going to do his father proud!
The End
(Another Author's Note: And so it ends! I know that there will be some protests from some of you, and believe me, that is a great compliment and makes the whole effort of cranking this monster out worth it. I had a blast! I hope ya'll did too!)