Tru struggled out of her drugged state of unconsciousness feeling as if she had gone skydiving. Minus the parachute. She narrowed her eyes in a failed attempt to focus, and gritted her teeth trying to battle the waves of nausea that crashed into her body relentlessly. Finally after her sight cleared she took a look around, and realized two things simultaneously. She lying in a bed that wasn't hers, and she was dressed in a gown so ugly she's rather eat dirt than wear in public. Then it hit her, she was in a hospital. Weird. The last thing she remembered was waking up in Jack's bed after he pulled her from the lake, then going home then… nothing.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her room door flew open and a robust nurse bustled in. Her rosy cheeks and round form made Tru instantly think of her as a female equivalent of Santa Claus.

"Oh good you're awake dear I was starting to think they gave you too much Imeamena and put you in a coma." She chirped a little to loudly.

Tru winced at the effort to speak "What did… they give me?…a horse tranquilizer"

The nurse chuckled causing Tru to cringe, any other day the sound of laughter would have made Tru smile, today was not that day.

"No they gave you Imeamena, you were putting up a bit of a fight. Although not as much as that young man who came with you, now that man is a hell cat. We nearly had to give him a sedative."

Tru furrowed her brow. Jack? No way that man was the embodiment of calm, no way he was pitching a fit for her sake. She blinked as the nurse began shining a light in her eyes.

"How do you feel?" She put down the light and began feeling Tru's wrist for a pulse. "Like I got into a fight with an eighteen-wheeler" Tru gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the pain radiating through her body.

The nurse smiled knowingly. "I know dear, it will pass. But you need to rest."

Tru shook her head "No I need…to leave"

The nurses smile stayed in place but Tru could feel the exasperation bubbling beneath the surface. "You don't want another round of Imeamena do you?"

Tru instantly shut her eyes. She heard the nurse chuckling as she bustled out of the room.

When Tru opened her eyes again it was dark. But even in the darkness she could feel his presence. Jack was sprawled in a chair beside her bed asleep. Tru smiled at the scene before her. As if he was aware he was being watched Jacks eyes fluttered open.

"Welcome back" His voice was a rich and dark as the night.

"Good to be back" She said weakly.

Jack stood up stretching his long legs and yawning, making Tru instantly think of a cat. He was just a mysterious and quiet. And he always looked as if he were ready to pounce.

Tru shoved the thought from her head.

" This is the second time in about a week that I've woken up in a bed that's not mine." She blushed as she realized how that sounded. "I mean… not that I've… well you know what I mean."

Jack had the grace not to laugh, but she could see the faint smile tugging at his lips.

"What happened?" she asked

Jack's face hardened instantly. "You don't remember"

"No"

"Well you umm… you called me last night saying someone had broken in. You were hiding in the bathroom. I got there as fast as I could, but it was too late he had broken down the door…" He trailed off.

Tru stared at him blankly for a few moments.

"You mean he-"

"No" He shouted, then lowered his tone. "No he didn't get the chance"

Tru could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but refused to shed them.

"But he wanted to." It was more of a statement then a question. Jack's silence told her everything she needed to know.

"Did they…did they catch him."

Jack shook his head.

"You mean he's still out there" Tru sat up, instantly feeling woozy.

Jack was at her side in an instant. "Don't worry he won't get to you again. I won't let him."

Tru realized her hands were shaking, she gripped them into fist so hard that she could feel her nails digging into her skin.

"Oh God, I remember"

Little pieces of her memory began assaulting her all at once.

"I was going to wash your clothes, and then he attacked me. I tried to fight but he was too strong. He dragged me into my room and all I could think about was that no one knew, that no one could help me." She paused for a minute gapping for breath. "He was trying to terrorize me, he told me no one would hear me scream, that he needed to purify me. "Oh God, I can still feel him on me." She broke of in choked sobs.

"No, no darling don't cry." Jack gathered her in his arms. "Shhh don't cry, he won't hurt you again I promise." He whispered soothingly in her ear.

They stayed in this position for quite a while, until Tru's heart wreaking sobs turned into soft hiccups. Finally spent Tru went limp in his arms. Jack gently slid her back under the covers and pulled the blanket back in place. He watched her for a moment trying to memorize every bit of her. She was so beautiful, so smart, so real. He was going to get the bastard who did this to her. His heart beat furiously as he looked at the bruises that marred her creamy skin. Yes he was going to kill him, whoever he was.

Later that evening the sheriff showed up to take her statement, but Tru didn't have much faith in him. He was so old he nearly had to use a cane. Tru related her story to him, hating to have to relive her hellish ordeal. But Jack was beside her the whole time holding her hand. And for that Tru was truly grateful.

A/N: Sorry about the delay, but things are up and running smoothly. As always thanks for the great reviews.

Reese