Chapter 5: Broken Wings
A/N I'm back and the tour was awesome. Hope you like this chappie, and sorry it has taken me so long to post it. Dedicated to Kilara-May, who helped with writers block, and every other problem I've had while writing this chapter. Have reposted this chapter cos the other one was all confused, think i was on a sugar high at the time...so hope this is easier to understand.
The physical scars were healing; soon all that would be left was two thin pink scars, running parallel to the old ones, two more scars added to the spider's web of them crossing her skin. The mental scars, the spiritual scars would remain. Many psychiatrists, physiologists, doctors and nurses had been in to talk to Jazz, but she had closed herself off from them completely. She stared straight ahead at the wall, ignoring every question asked of her, and everything that went on around her.
Tristan kept on visiting; he hadn't given up on her yet. Everyday he would sit there, holding her hand and telling her about is day, hoping to get some reaction out of her, any reaction. He stroked her hair and told her that he loved her, and dreamt of the day when she would offer a flash of recognition, a spark of hope. He hugged her close, and tenderly kissed her, but for all the response he got, he might as well have been kissing a dead body.
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Jazz was falling. The earth was rushing up to meet her, and there was nothing she could do to stop herself. Her beautiful golden wings were bent and broken, flapping uselessly at the side of her body, she was helpless. Her mouth was open in a silent scream, as she fell like a stone.
"Help me, save me from this madness, save me from myself, help me!"
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Tristan was sitting by her bed, praying and hoping that today would be different, that today Jazz would show some recognition of him being there. He sat in the same chair as he had for the last six weeks, but today seemed even more hopeless. Staring at the zombie jazz had become, Tristan felt tears rolling down his face. This wasn't the girl he knew, the girl who had her own problems, but still seemed so full of life, the girl he had fallen in love with.
"Jazz, Jazz, please come back to me, please tell me you love me, please come back, I love you Jazz," His voice was cracking as he spoke, and he closed his eyes in despair, as he finally accepted that there was no hope.
Suddenly he felt a hand lightly brush his cheek, capturing a tear on its finger tip. Tristan opened his eyes to find Jazz staring at him, tears spilling from her lilac eyes down her cheeks, her outstretched hand holding his tear, like a pearl glistening on her finger.
"You caught me," she whispered before holding him tight, as if she never wanted to let him go.
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Soon, Jazz was well enough to be discharged from hospital. She was looking forward to it because it meant that at last she could have another proper date with Tristan, rather then a walk to the hospital cafeteria, and talking over crappy coffee. They never had any privacy, and she missed being able to kiss him.
Jazz sat on the edge of the bed, her bag sitting beside her, and looked down nervously at what she was wearing. She wanted to look her best for Tristan. A short black leather skirt hugged her hips, and the knee length boots showed off how thin her legs were. The fishnet top complemented the skirt perfectly, and a large studded collar completed the outfit. The usual leather cuffs around her wrists were in place, Jazz had done her makeup, and with Serenity's help Jazz had dyed her hair black again, and added more hot pink high lights.
Suddenly the door swung open, and Jazz's parents entered the room. They looked so happy to see Jazz, and Jazz was so happy to be going home, but as the door slammed shut behind her parents Jazz felt a wave of despair wash over her as she realized that Tristan wasn't here. She had hoped so much that he would come with her parents; she needed to be able to hold him again without having to withstand the disapproving stares of the doctors and nurses. Still trying to smile, Jazz hugged her parents and followed them out to the car.
Jazz walked through the front door of the house, dumped her bag in the hallway, and started up the stairs to her bedroom. Before she was even halfway there her parents were calling her back down, saying they needed to talk to her.
Jazz headed into the living room, and as she turned on the lights, a huge cheer of "WELCOME HOME" echoed around the room, as people jumped up from their hiding places. Everyone was there, Yugi, Tea, Serenity, Mai, Ryou, Joey and, most importantly of all, Tristan.
"Oh my God guys, this is amazing," screamed Jazz. She could believe what her friends; and her parents had done for her. The room was covered in brightly colored streamers, and balloons were bobbing on the ceiling. A huge banner was stretched across the room, proclaiming in rainbow colors "WELCOME HOME JAZZ."
Resting by the table was a pile of brightly wrapped gifts from everyone. Jazz slowly sank onto a chair and stared at them.
"You guys really didn't need to do this, I mean, this is so nice, and I don't deserve this."
"Course you do, Jazz, we all love you, and figured this would be a nice way to say that we were glad you were better, and that we were happy you could home at last," smiled Tea, "anyway, we have made a deal with your parents. We are allowed to take you out to McDonald's for some high class cuisine, and then you can come and sleep at my house, but you must promise to have a good time and worry about nothing in return. I'm sure you can manage that."
Jazz's face broke into a huge grin as she leapt up and gave both her parents a huge hug.
"Are you sure, I mean, you don't mind me doing this, I mean…thanks Mum, thanks Dad, I owe you." And with that Jazz was running up the stairs, Serenity and Tea following her to help her pack.
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"Ok, ok, what do I need?" said Jazz as she stood in the centre of the room and tried to decide what to take. Suddenly she seemed to have way to much stuff.
"A bag is a good place to start," laughed Serenity as she emptied Jazz's rucksack on the floor, before flinging open the doors to Jazz's wardrobe, and rifling trough draws.
"Take a nice change of clothes Jazz," whispered Tea, "your parents don't know but we're taking you out clubbing afterwards, and with Tristan there you will want to look your best, and don't worry, you find what to wear, we'll pack your PJ's and stuff."
McDonalds was as busy, really busy. There was a press of people at the tills, and Tristan was ordering as quickly as possible.
"7 Big Macs, a cheese burger, a fillet o' fish and chicken nuggets, all of them with coke and all of them large, and 8 apple pies, Thanks."
After paying, Tristan wove his way through the crowds of people, expertly carrying the three trays needed for all of the food. He couldn't help it that Joey and him could eat two Big Mac meals each.
He slid in to the chair next to Jazz and placed the trays on the table as eight pairs of hands reached for their food. Tristan slipped his arm around Jazz's thin shoulders, and whispered into her hair, "welcome home babe." Then he kissed her head before starting on his food.
As they were laughing at some of Mai's sexual escapades at school, Jazz glanced over at Joey and Ryou, and saw them staring into each others eyes, and Joey had a protective arm around Ryou's shoulders.
Yes, there is definitely something going on between them, good, they make a cute couple, thought Jazz as she looked at them.
Soon it was time to go out and party; they were going to Bar None again, but Jazz wanted to get changed first. She ran to the McDonalds toilets and was getting changed as quickly as she could. She was still conscious of the scars on her wrists, so the studded leather cuffs stayed in place. Then Jazz placed a purple diamante cross on a thick chunky black chain round her neck. This had been given to Jazz many years ago by a friend and was very special to her. To this she added fishnet stockings, knee high black boots and a pink and black striped skirt. Peeling off her fishnet top, jazz noticed how thin she had become during her stay at hospital. It meant she could eat more chocolate. She slipped the new top over her head and smiled at what she saw. The top was made of hot pink silky material for the bust, below that a slit ran up the middle of the black satin exposing Jazz's toned abs, and pierced stomach. She knew she looked good, and that Tristan would love this. Finally she added a ring to the outfit. It was a snake, coiling and writhing its way up her finger.
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At Bar None there was the usual queue of people outside, and, like last time, they passed everyone, and were allowed in, no questions asked.
As soon as they had entered the club and Jazz breathed in the smoky air, she felt all her troubles melt away. This was another world, a world where she didn't have to worry about anything, a world where it was just her and Tristan and the music. This was her world.
Taking Tristan's hand she moved onto the crowded dance floor and slid her hands around his neck, holding him close. His hands snaked around her hips and pulled her close as he ground his pelvis into hers. Jazz felt her face go hot with desire, and as she looked into his eyes se could see that they were alight with flame filled passion. They moved their bodies, like one being, perfectly in time to the music, hips grinding, and Jazz's long black hair flying out behind her.
Resting her cheek next to his Jazz whispered into his ear, "thank you, thank you so much."
Tristan was confused; he didn't think that he had done anything, "thank you for what?"
Jazz pulled away slightly and looked Tristan in the eyes. Now they had stopped dancing, they were standing, facing each other, holding hands, but they weren't dancing.
"Thank you for believing in me, for not giving up in me, for saving me. Thank you for loving me Tristan."
Then Jazz hugged Tristan, felt his strong arms around her shoulders, felt them protecting her, and she knew that she was safe with Tristan.
"Let's go get a drink, and find the others."
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"A Vodka Cruiser and a pint of bitter, thanks."
Tristan grabbed the drinks and slid into a booth next to Jazz. Yugi, Ryou and Joey were here, the girls all having gone off to dance.
As soon as Tristan sat down Yugi broke off from what he had been saying, and immediately looked uncomfortable.
Wonder what's with that, thought Jazz, must be some fight or something the guys are having, none of business, I'll leave it, if either of them wants to talk to me they can.
"Ummm, I…have to go to…somewhere, ummm…..the toilet, I have to go to the toilet," and after that strange statement Yugi rushed off without a backward glance.
Joey looked at Jazz and Tristan, the glances they kept giving each other, the way Tristan's hand was rubbing Jazz's leg, and knew it was time he and Ryou left them in peace. He also wanted a chance to make out with Ryou in private.
"Ummm, we should go to Ryou, go find the girls or something," said Joey, with a meaningful glance at Tristan and Jazz.
"Yeah…yeah, right, ummm, let's go," said Ryou as he slid out of his chair with graceful ease.
Jazz was laughing. "I think they got the hint. I've not been alone with you for so long, I've missed you. So, maybe you should give me a welcome home present my parents wouldn't approve of -"
But before Jazz could say anything else, Tristan's mouth had covered hers, and his tongue was dancing around her mouth. Jazz's response was filled with the passion she had had to keep in check for the past months. She was surprised at just how familiar his mouth was, and how familiar he tasted, it was like coming home.
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Yugi couldn't believe how much it hurt to see Tristan and Jazz together. Maybe he should tell her, maybe he should fight Tristan. He had to do something to make jazz love him.
Patience my dear Yugi, Jazz needs time to find her self, give her a chance, be there when she needs you, and soon, I promise she will realize, soon she will love you to. Thought Yami. He could feel Yugi's pain and anguish, and knew that this could destroy him. He must hold on and be strong.
Leaving the quiet of the toilets for the smoky atmosphere of the club, Yugi headed back for the table. He needed a drink.
Turning the corner he saw Jazz and Tristan, partly hidden by shadows, arms wrapped round each other, kissing passionately. Yugi felt his heart might burst, seeing Jazz and Tristan together. Before he had always been able to tell himself they were just good friends, but now, and with this, there was no doubt left.
Letting out a cry, Yugi turned and ran.
Jazz and Tristan didn't even hear him.
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"You fucking poufs, you have no right to be here!" came a shout from the other side of the club. Everyone stopped dancing.
Jazz and Tristan broke apart when those words managed to sort themselves out into conscious though. This meant trouble.
Somewhere near the dance floor a punch was thrown, a yell let out, and the club broke into mayhem. Bottles were being broken over heads and knifes were pulled. Jazz looked panicked eyed at Tristan, looking to him for reassurance. This evening was fast turning into a disaster.
"Jazz, run, no matter what you hear, get away from here, go to Tea's house, we will meet there. You know how to get there, right?"
"Yes, course, but Tristan-"
Jazz broke off as a body was thrown onto the table, a long jagged cut down his face, and glass sticking out of his head.
"Go Jazz, run!"
Jazz turned and left the club, leaving the smoky club and entering the real world again. Now she didn't know which was safer.
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Jazz ran and ran, not looking at where she was going. Left, then right, then left again. Where was she? It looked like some dark alley. She could see as homeless guy sleeping nears some over turned trashcans.
Suddenly a voice came out of the darkness.
"Hello Jazz."
Jazz turned and stared at the shadows, hoping to see who was hiding there.
"W...w...who are you?" stuttered Jazz, her heart filled with fear.
The voice laughed. "Why Jazz, don't you recognize me, I'm your own personal guardian angel."