Chapter 7
Slowly the world returned to Jack. He felt as though his arms and legs were made of rubber and his eyelids weighed 10 pounds each. He heard a familiar voice coming from somewhere near him although it sounded like it was echoing through a tunnel.
"He's coming around!" It took him a few moments to realize that the voice belonged to Tara and she sounded immensely relieved. As his senses returned, he heard another voice, this one unmistakable.
"Jack. Come on mate, wake up." The Aussie also sounded relieved for some reason. That got Jack to thinking. Why was I asleep? What happened? Why are they here? I guess I'll have to ask them. All I remember is not feeling too great, coming home, and then nothing. Maybe I passed out. But why would I pass out? He opened his eyes and was almost forced to shut them again because the light was so blinding. His eyes adjusted and he could see Bobby, Tara, and Myles all looking down at him. He tried to sit up and was shoved firmly back into the cushions by Bobby. He realized that he was on the couch and didn't know how he got there.
"What happened?" He asked and then realized that his mouth felt really dry and his head still stuffed with cotton. "Could I have some water please?"
"Shiva found one of your business cards in your coat pocket, slipped a sedative in your drink, and sent us over here to finish you off." Myles told him, as Tara slipped into the kitchen for a glass of water.
"What are you going to do?" Jack asked, mentally beating himself for being so stupid.
"Well we're going to convince him that we killed you and continue with the deal." Tara said, coming back into the room and handing him a glass of water.
"Thanks. When are you going to take him down?" He asked taking a sip of water. I helped, and his head started to clear.
"Probably tomorrow." Myles told him. "We're meeting to do business tomorrow and that's probably when we'll get the physical evidence we need to take them all down."
"Well…" Jack said, starting to get up.
"Jack." Bobby said warningly, clearly not believing that Jack should be getting up just yet. Jack waved him away.
"I'm fine." Jack told him, standing all the way up. It took only a moment for him to realize that he wasn't fine. Almost immediately the room started to spin and go dark. He could feel himself sway as he muttered, "Not fine." His blood pounded in his ears, and he started to fall sideways. Somebody caught him, and he vaguely felt himself being shoved back onto the couch. In a few moments his vision started to clear and his blood ceased to pound in his ears. He could clearly see the concern etched in his friends faces now.
"I'm going to call an ambulance." Bobby said, pulling out his phone.
"Bobby, if I end up in the hospital, Alexander is bound to find out," Jack told him, "and then he'll know you didn't complete your job." Bobby put his phone away, looking unhappy because he knew that what Jack had said was true.
"Alright, but I don't like this mate." Bobby said. "Who knows what Shiva gave you."
"Whatever it is," Jack said, "I'm sure it'll wear off by morning." Bobby didn't look like he believed him. "I promise I won't move from this couch."
"Ok," Bobby said, still not sounding convinced, "but just to make sure, I'll be bunking here tonight." He plunked himself down in a chair and folded his arms across his chest challengingly.
"Um, I've got to be going." Myles said, wanting to get out just in case this turned into a war. "I'll see you at the office."
"Okay." Jack said, as Myles shrugged his coat on.
"I should be going too." Tara said, also putting her coat on. "See you at the office." Jack and Bobby merely nodded as they headed out the door.
"It's just you and me now, buddy." Jack said, turning to Bobby.
"Yes, and I suggest that you get some sleep." Bobby told him. "After all, you're dead, and you know what they say. Rest in peace."
"Ha ha, very funny Crash." Jack said sardonically, rolling his eyes. "Now, would you at least get me a blanket?"
"Ah, Prince Jack. Royalty to the bone." Bobby said, grinning.
"If I'm Prince, you know what that makes you?" Jack asked.
"What?" Bobby asked.
"Queen Bobby." Jack said. "Either that, or Nanny Bobby. Actually, Nanny Crash has a nicer ring to it."
"Yeah, but none of them has the same ring as Prince Jack, or Queen Jack." Bobby told him, bringing the comforter off Jack's bed, and one from his closet into the room. Handing one to Jack, he took the other and settled himself into an armchair. Jack laughed as he covered himself with his comforter. In less than a half an hour he was asleep, his dreams haunted by an angel in a silver dress.