OK I'm sorry about the cliffhanger. I have to warn you this chapter is a little tough, short but tough.
Disclaimer: The gang is not mine, just having fun with them!
The bullets seemed like they hung in the air forever till they finally hit their target. James fell to his knees and slouched forward on to Jordan. He tried to speak in his last moments but he was gone.
Jordan struggled to get free from the James and the tape that was still holding her. Woody immediately ran to her side and aided in freeing her hands.
"I've got to check dad, Woody" Jordan exclaimed as he freed her from her last binding.
Garret had already made it to Max, Jordan quickly ran to his side. "He's alive! His heartbeat is weak but it's there" Garret shouted.
He turned to speak to the deputies that had just witnessed the whole ordeal, "Call for a Medi-vac, it might be his only hope!"
The deputies scrambled and were on the radio calling for the helicopter to come and take Max to the hospital. The next few minutes were excruciating. Jordan and Garret tended to Max, whose life was slipping away, while Woody and the deputies paced about waiting for the chopper to come.
Suddenly Woody stopped pacing, he was covered with a wave of guilt, this was his fault, he didn't get there soon enough. Max was laying there dying because he didn't make it in time. Tears had started to form in his eyes when Garret looked up at him. Garret jumped up and walked over to Woody.
"Don't do this, I know what you're thinking….this is not your fault. You have to be strong, strong for her especially if he doesn't pull thru!" Garret whispered to him so Jordan couldn't hear. Just then they could hear the chopper coming.
Woody took a deep breath, reached up and patted Garret on the shoulder, and made his way out of the room to meet the Medi-vac crew when they touched down.
The next few hours were sort of a blur for everyone. All Woody could remember was how wonderful it felt hugging Jordan before she stepped on to the chopper with her father. He told her that he would see her at the hospital, before he know it she had pulled him into her arms and whispered "Thank you" in his ear. His heart nearly broke.
They were now sitting outside the trauma unit at Springfield General Hospital. Max had been in surgery for at least two hours when one of the doctors appeared. They knew from the look on his face that it wasn't good news. Jordan got up and walked towards him. He simply shook his head, Max didn't make it, he was gone. Jordan just stood there, the room started to spin a little and then suddenly the air was sucked out of her lungs.
Woody had just made it to her side when she collapsed, he caught her in midair. The doctor called immediately for nurses to get a gurney and take Jordan into one of the rooms. Woody with the help of the nurses lifted her up and placed her on the gurney and in a split second she was gone.
Woody fell to his knees and the tears he had held back for days began to flow. Garret placed his hand on his shoulder. "Woody she's going to be ok, she's just overwhelmed with everything that has happened, and so are you. Just go ahead and cry, get out what you can because when she wakes up she is going to need you like she never has before." He looked up at Garret for a moment before getting up and sitting in one of the chairs in the waiting area. He knew he was right, but the question is 'Will I be ready'.